She might be 13 and beanpole-thin, but Lauren Hagedorn can compete with any Navy SEAL.
Hagedorn, a runner and swimmer from Manhattan Beach, stuck out in the crowd of mostly muscled, 20-something guys grunting and sweating through a series of grueling exercise events set up by the SEALs for the public on the UCLA campus Saturday morning.
After knocking out a 500-yard swim, 85 push-ups, 58 sit-ups, 12 pull-ups and a 1.5-mile run, Hagedorn panted, smiling at her strong finish. "I'm kind of tired," she said between gulps of water. "But proud."
The SEAL fitness challenge, continuing at UCLA today, is the elite military group's traveling workout road show, intended to promote fitness and offer people a chance to compete against the SEALs' actual strength tests.
The SEALs -- short for Sea, Air and Land, indicating the environments they can operate in -- are an elite, adaptable fighting force with specialized training in unconventional warfare.
"We're always astounded that people really want to come out and do this stuff," said Lt. Cmdr. Ed Rohrbach, one of about two dozen SEALs and Naval special warfare sailors shouting encouragement at stragglers in the pool or people dangling from the pull-up bar.
As many as 700 people, including personal trainers, triathletes and military hopefuls, were expected to compete in the two-day event in Los Angeles, the biggest turnout the Navy has seen since the program began in 2006. Hundreds of people in Boston, Minneapolis and San Antonio have already faced off against the SEALs' tough fitness standards.
Men outnumbered women at Saturday's event 6 to 1, and participants ranged from middle-schoolers to those pushing 70. The standards are the same for everyone -- there are no special categories for seniors or kids.
The point, organizers said, is to get people off the couch -- especially young people, who are at an increased risk of becoming obese, according to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Plus, "if you're going to show up in a Speedo, it speaks volumes about your courage," said Lt. Cmdr. Andy Schreiner, also a SEAL.
Civilians are exempt from one SEAL rule: They aren't required to run in camouflage pants and combat boots.
Patrick Devine, 46, and Stephen Alford, 50, were the only athletes with gray hair in their competition group Saturday, and bonded in solidarity over their elder-statesman status.
