GAINESVILLE, FL.-

Saturday was a day filled with pain, sweat and determination. The GORUCK challenge,which is similar to special forces training, started Friday at 8 p.m. with 50 participants and it wrapped up on Saturday at about 8 p.m. Thirty-one participants survived the 24- hour endurance challenge.

"It sounds cool, it's put on by a special forces guy so I signed up," said Christian Kovac.

Kovac traveled from Sarasota, Florida to participate in his 10th goruck challenge. The purpose of the challenge is to push the participants to their mental and physical limit by completing various missions.

"I would say so far this challenge has been one of the hardest because this challenge was all pt for 12 or 13 hours," said Kovac.
 

PT meaning physical training. Men and women spend the wee hours doing physical activities like low crawls, bear crawls, buddy carrys and that's just a few on the list.

"When you don't work as a team, then you get punished," said Kovac.
 

This is the first 24 hour GORUCK challenge. The participants weren't allowed to sleep and they had to carry a ruck sack filled with bricks.
Some Gainesville Fire Fighters took the challenge as well as active and ex-military members. Then you have other adventurous people like this University of Florida student.

"Fighting the sleep deprivation and being able to continue on moving with your feet overcoming the challenges that are being thrown at us, but it's not as difficult once everyone gets together and motivates each other," said Michael Keller.
 

The men and women had to carry a 7 to 800 pound log while carrying their ruck sacks. The group is led by a cadre, who told us the real reason all these people are fighting against this tough challenge.

"Every single one of these people here has paid for their entry fee to join to do this event, but a percentage of that goes to support the Green Beret Foundation.  It supports wounded warriors and supports their family."

About $2,000 went towards the foundation, giving these determined men and women a reason to complete such an intense challenge.

"So this is going to be your 10th one, do you see yourself doing more?"
"Oh yeah I signed up for six more so far," said Kovac.