Want a real hands-on experience honoring the military during San Diego's Fleet Week? If you've ever wondered what a Marine goes through during training, get down and dirty at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot on Saturday, September 29th, for the 11th Annual Bootcamp Challenge! A grueling three-mile obstacle course pushes its victims to their mental and physical limits, all in the name of charity.

Beginning at 9 a.m., racers will climb, crawl, run and jump through 40 Marine training obstacles along the course, tackling a range of cargo net walls and tunnel crawls, to push-ups and hay jumps. The best (or worst) obstacle along the course would have to be the group of over 60 Marines 'encouraging' racers through each demanding challenge. Of course, in the style of Marine training, Marine Corps Drill Instructors will monitor the drill stations and keep up the pace of the race at a very loud volume right in each runner's face. The drill instructors have no tolerance for weakness, and will certainly be bellowing, "No walking! No slacking!" You will cross the finish line covered in sweat, tears and dirt, but your sense of accomplishment and success will wash it all away. Spectators are welcome to cheer on their friends and family through the course, but will not be as up close and personal as the drill instructors.

Whether you are running individually, or competing on a three- or five-person team, the course offers a real "in-your-face" experience during Fleet Week, when civilians can literally run through Marine training. Past teams have included "housewife" gangs, military veterans, workout groups and family units all together sporting matching attire and positive encouragement. Teams help each other through the course, and with individual obstacles, and rules mandate that team members cross the finish line together, maintaining the team mentality of 'no soldier left behind'. At the end of the race, an Awards Ceremony grants the top three winners from the 29 categories awards for their victories, and recognizes the determination and guts it takes to step up to be a "Marine for a morning." In reward for their bravery, racers will receive an official Bootcamp Challenge t-shirt, with proceeds benefitting various quality of life programs of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot of San Diego. These programs assist Marines, sailors and their families with services such as community outreach projects, physical activities, social gatherings, personal and professional development, behavioral health and others. And don't worry if you are not participating in the course. Bootcamp Challenge gear is available for purchase.

If you are looking for a less hands-in-the-mud experience to support your local troops, the Bootcamp Challenge Post-Race Party is the place to be. Including music, food and drinks, and fun booths, the post-party is a great way for onlookers and participants to mingle and relax after racers take on an intense morning of training. In previous years, sponsor tents hosted an assortment of entertainment such as face painting at the Xtra Sports 1360 AM tent, Playstation® Move at the Toyota Booth, and raffle prizes at the San Diego Union Tribune stand. Also, the post party is a great way to meet the brave Marines and soldiers who train hard to defend our country. For more information and registration, check out www.bootcampchallenge.com and celebrate those in service, by spending a day in their combat training boots.

This is the fourth year Alternative Strategies is teaming up with the Bootcamp Challenge to secure media coverage and help promote the race. Our social media team is also busy managing Facebook, Twitter and other online platforms to spread the word and boost race entries. Last year, Alt Strat's 5-person team survived the race through lots of laughs and plenty of antics. With more members this year, our teams will once again brave the challenging course to fight for the ultimate office bragging rights. Please join us for this great event and help support a cause close to our hearts.