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CrossFitters Set to Take on CHAD1000X for Veteran Suicide Awareness

October 19, 2022 by
Photo Credit: John Newby
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On November 5, CrossFitters in Ohio will take part in a special event. They will complete the Hero WOD “CHAD 1000X” at the National Veterans Museum and Memorial in Columbus, OH, to raise awareness for veteran suicide. 

Remind me: Chad–or CHAD1000X–is a straightforward, yet grueling, Hero WOD. It consists of 1,000 box step-ups (20” box). RX’d requires a 45-pound Ruck for men and a 35-pound Ruck for women. The score is the time it takes to complete all 1,000 step-ups. 

  • The Hero WOD is a tribute to Navy SEAL Chad Wilkinson, who took his life on October 29, 2018. The goal is to raise awareness about veteran suicide, as well as funds for The Step Up Foundation
  • The CrossFit community has stepped up quite literally to support this cause. In 2020-2021 alone, members helped raise more than $226,000. 

The in-person edition of CHAD 1000X–organized by PSKC CrossFit with support from GoRuck and the NVMM–will feature numerous participants. There will be people from CrossFit HQ, veterans, and community members. The goal is to have 100 participants taking part in the grueling workout on the steps of the NVMM amphitheater. 

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Get involved: The special event featuring the Hero WOD will be free to those interested in taking part. They can register on the event site and sign up to complete Chad, or they can register as a volunteer for the workout and the reception that follows.

  • Even if members of the community can not make the trip to Columbus for the workout, they can still show support. They can complete CHAD 1000X on November 5, and they can also make a donation to the event fundraiser. 
  • Per the workout website, “All proceeds of the CHAD 1000X fundraiser will go to support Veteran Mental Health Initiatives through The Step Up Foundation, which, in conjunction with Sara Wilkinson, will provide financial support to other nonprofits dedicated to Veteran Mental Health initiatives.”

Training is underway: CHAD 1000X is not an easy workout, rightfully so, and it requires some preparation. Residents of Jacksonville, FL, can actually join forces with GORUCK for some training. Every Tuesday in October, the company heads to Ink Brewery at 6:30 p.m. for some preparatory workouts. 

Even if RX’d is not a possibility, there are some other options for those wanting to show their support. The “Slick” version does not require a Ruck. Participants can select the height of their step-ups. The “Standard” version requires a 30-pound Ruck for men and a 20-pound Ruck for women. The participants can select the height of their step-ups.

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