17th Annual Citadel Bulldog Challenge

NOT Your Average 10K.

On April 25, 2025, the Bulldog Challenge returns to The Citadel — and this isn’t your typical road race. This is 6.2 miles of grit, teamwork, and controlled chaos across campus and through Charleston.

Grab a team of 2 or 4 and move as a unit through ten demanding stations designed to test endurance, strength, and mental toughness. You’ll hit the obstacle course, climb stadium stairs, carry weight, flip tires, execute buddy carries, complete memory challenges under stress, and push through a final assault to the parade deck finish. You start together. You finish together.

No military experience is required. Civilians, service members, ROTC, students, weekend warriors — all are welcome. If you register solo, we’ll place you on a 4-person team. No one gets left behind.

Wear whatever you want — costumes and creative attire are encouraged, and there’s a prize for the most spirited team. Awards will be presented to top Civilian, Military, and ROTC teams in both 2-person and 4-person categories, along with participation prizes for all finishers.

More information at www.bulldogchallenge.org

Event Details
Sunday, April 25, 2025
Race Time: 0800–1200
Check-In: 0630–0750
Location: The Citadel, Charleston, SC
Competitor Ticket: $40

We run rain or shine. We’re amphibious by nature. Spectators are absolutely welcome.

Hosted by the Scarlet and Gold Foundation in partnership with the Semper Fi Society, the Bulldog Challenge supports the development of the next generation of Marine Corps and Naval officers. When you step onto the course, you’re not just racing — you’re part of something bigger.

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW 

Course Description

Below is a sample of the 2026 stations. Station order and exact tasks may vary on race day, but every team will complete each challenge together.

1. Obstacle Course: A full-spectrum obstacle lane executed as a team. Climb, crawl, balance, and move with urgency. Unfinished obstacles = time penalties.
2. The Warpath Mile: Continuous movement under fatigue: run laps mixed with carries and lunges. Hold tempo, manage effort, and keep your team moving.
3. Ironclad Insertion: Hit the water and move as a unit. Relay swim scaled to team size—speed and coordination get you “ashore” faster.
4. Emerald Fire and Maneuver: Low crawl, high crawl, bear crawl, presses—grind through controlled movement under fatigue. Discipline and teamwork win.
5. Operation CASEVAC: Your teammate is down—move them. Buddy carries for distance with team accountability. Failure to finish = penalties for the whole team.
6. Suribachi Ascent: Stadium stair climbs with gear. Relentless vertical work—stay steady, don’t quit, and keep climbing.
7. Devil Dog Trench: Low crawl through muddy water. No penalties—just commitment. Get dirty, stay moving, embrace it.
8. Combat Conditioning Ladder: Burpee jumps, crawls, and carries up the ladder—then reverse it. Intensity climbs, fatigue spikes, and execution matters.
9. Steel Reaper: Tire flips for prescribed distance. Every team member participates. Power, rhythm, and coordination beat raw strength.
10. Warrior’s Forge: Partner strike-pad work with controlled intensity. Rotate partners and finish strong—clean reps, strong effort, no chaos.
11. Mental Challenge: Observation and memory elements integrated into the course. Stay sharp under fatigue—mistakes cost time.