The 2026 Vertex Pump & Run was a great day for our community.

Every year, this event reminds us what makes it special. You get strength. You get grit. You get people willing to show up, compete, cheer, volunteer, and be part of something bigger than themselves. That is what this event is about.

For those who are new to the format, the Pump & Run starts with the bench press and finishes with a 5K. Every bench rep takes 30 seconds off your 5K time, which means the final result rewards both strength and endurance. It is a simple format, but it makes for a fun day and some serious competition.

We want to thank every participant who signed up and competed. Some came to chase a win. Some came to test themselves. Some came to be part of the atmosphere. All of it matters. Events like this do not happen without people willing to step up and get after it.

We also want to thank our volunteers, supporters, and everyone behind the scenes who helped make the day run smoothly. Putting on an event like this takes a team effort, and we are grateful for every person who gave their time and energy to help make it happen.

And of course, thank you to the families, friends, and spectators who came out and supported everybody along the way. That kind of support changes the whole feel of a race day. It makes the event better, louder, and more memorable.

As for the competition, the winners earned it.

Our Male Overall Winner was Orinthal Striggles with a net time of 5:44. Our Female Overall Winner was Krissy Diaz with a net time of 9:50. In the Masters division, Cody Perrot took the Male Masters title with a net time of 7:39, and Shenequa Coles won Female Masters with a net time of 19:37.

That is a strong day’s work. Congratulations to all four champions.

There were a lot of strong performances across the board, and the full results show just how competitive the field was from top to bottom.

At the end of the day, this event is bigger than times and placings. Sure, we like competition. We are not going to apologize for that. But what makes this event worth doing is the people. Good people. Strong effort. A fun atmosphere. A community that keeps showing up.

That is a beautiful thing.

Thank you again to everyone who helped make the 2026 Vertex Pump & Run a success. We appreciate you, and we are already looking forward to next year.

For full results, visit the official results page here.

Murph Workout in Columbia, SC | Join Us This Memorial Day

We’re hosting our annual Murph workout this Memorial Day at Vertex PT in Cayce, and you’re invited.

Whether you’ve done Murph before or this is your first time, this is a great opportunity to challenge yourself, train with a group, and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Event Details

  • Date: Monday, May 25
  • Heats: 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM
  • Location: Vertex PT, Cayce, SC

👉 Sign up here

If you’ve been wanting to try out our gym or just need a place to do Murph, come for free. Bring a friend.

What Is the Murph Workout?

“Murph” is a CrossFit Hero workout honoring U.S. Navy SEAL Lt. Michael Murphy, who was killed in action in Afghanistan on June 28, 2005.

Every Memorial Day, gyms across the country complete this workout as a tribute to his sacrifice and to honor all who have served.

The Murph Workout (Rx Version)

For time:

  • 1-mile run
  • 100 pull-ups
  • 200 push-ups
  • 300 air squats
  • 1-mile run

You can break up the pull-ups, push-ups, and squats as needed.

A weight vest (20 lb for men / 14 lb for women) is traditional, but not required.

Murph for Beginners (Scaling Options Available)

New to Murph? No problem.

We’ll have scaling options available so anyone can participate, including:

  • Reduced reps
  • Ring rows instead of pull-ups
  • Elevated or modified push-ups
  • Shorter run distances

Our goal is simple: meet you where you are and help you get through the workout safely.

Why Do Murph on Memorial Day?

Murph is more than just a workout.

It’s a way to:

  • Honor those who gave their lives in service
  • Push yourself physically and mentally
  • Be part of something bigger than yourself

There’s a different energy in the room on Memorial Day. You feel it.

Join Us for Murph in Columbia, SC

If you’re in Columbia, Cayce, West Columbia, or the surrounding area, we’d love to have you.

👉 Reserve your spot here

Come put in the work. Bring a friend.

We’ll see you on Memorial Day.

This year, Vertex is proud to celebrate 10 years of serving Columbia, South Carolina and the surrounding community.

Since 2016, our mission has been clear: deliver high quality care, help people get better, faster, and do things the right way. Over the past decade, we have had the privilege of working with so many patients, families, athletes, professionals, and members of our community. We do not take that trust lightly.

From the beginning, Vertex was built with intention. We wanted to create a place where patients could receive thoughtful, one-on-one care and where treatment was guided by clinical reasoning, strong relationships, and a genuine commitment to outcomes. Ten years later, that standard still matters just as much to us now as it did on day one.

We are incredibly grateful for the patients and families who have trusted us with their care over the years. We are also thankful for the clinicians and staff members who have contributed to the work, as well as the colleagues, referral partners, and community supporters who have been part of the journey. So much of what has been built over the last decade has been made possible through the support, trust, and relationships of people throughout Columbia and the Midlands.

As we reflect on the past 10 years, we are proud of what Vertex represents. Hard work. Intention. Excellence. A commitment to serving people well. We are thankful for everyone who has played a part in the story, and grateful to God for His blessing and provision along the way.

Thank you, Columbia, SC, for allowing Vertex PT Specialists to serve this community for the past decade.