October 2026 marks the 25th anniversary of the start of the Afghanistan War during which 457 British military personnel lost their lives and many thousands more were wounded or affected.
To mark this profound anniversary The Army Benevolent Fund has created a bespoke workout that will challenge you whatever your level.
The 457 Challenge is more than just a workout. There’s no podium, no pressure to perform. It's a community coming together with purpose.
For every life lost, and every life changed.
Countdown to the start of the challenge
Two Ways to Take Part
Take Part Individually
Ready to take on the challenge yourself? Click Register Now, follow the sign-up process and pay the £15 registration fee.
Your registration includes:
- Entry to the challenge
- An exclusive 457 Finisher Tile
- A donation to the Army Benevolent Fund
Want to raise a bit extra while you're at it? Even better!
The first 250 people to raise £50 or more will receive an exclusive 457 Challenge T-shirt and pair of 457 Challenge socks.
Take Part as a Community
Whether you're part of a gym, fitness group, sports club, workplace, Army unit or just a collection of mates, you can register as a team.
Simply create a team during registration, then get everyone else to sign up and join it. Any fundraising will be tracked together, giving you a collective total.
No Fixed Date. No Excuses.
Pick any day in October that works for you.
We'll send you the workout and fundraising pack after you've registered. Turn up, get it done and raise a few quid if you can.
The workout is designed to be adaptable to different abilities and fitness levels, so whether you're still smashing phys or getting out of breath tying your shoes, there's a way to take part.
Make It More Than A Workout
The challenge is built around the number 457, but it isn't just about those who were killed.
So this challenge, more importantly, is a reason to get people together. Stick a brew on. Put some bacon rolls out. Run a cake sale. Have a chat afterwards.
Everything You Need To Get Started
Once registered, you'll receive:
- The official ABF 457 Challenge workout
- A dedicated Fundraising Pack
- Resources and ideas to maximise your fundraising
Our network of local Army Benevolent Fund teams can also help support your event with items such as:
- Card readers
- Collection buckets
- Banners and promotional materials
Support our Army Family
Every pound raised helps the Army Benevolent Fund provide a lifetime of support to soldiers, veterans and their immediate families when they face hardship.
That's It
Pick a date. Register. Do the workout. Raise a few quid if you can.
A simple challenge, in memory of the 457, supporting today's Army family.
About our charity
The 457 Challenge raises money for the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) – the Army’s national charity, providing lifelong support to those who serve, have served and the families who stand with them.
Taking part in the 457 Challenge is one small way to recognise that service doesn’t end when operations do, and that support should always be there.
This is a straightforward way to be part of something that carries meaning.
For every life lost and every life changed, the challenge offers a chance to show up, contribute, and take a moment within the effort itself.
Alongside the workout, funds are raised for the Army Benevolent Fund, supporting soldiers, veterans, and their families when they need it most.
For more FAQs, click here
Challenge 457 takes place this October, marking 25 years since the start of the Afghanistan War.
During that time, 457 British military personnel lost their lives, and many thousands more were wounded or affected.
The challenge is built around those numbers. A structured fitness workout, designed to be taken on individually or as part of a team, bringing people together through shared effort.
It’s not about finishing first. It’s about taking part, putting the work in, and doing it properly.
For more FAQs, click here
The 457 Challenge is made up of a series of functional fitness zones, built around the numbers 4, 5 and 7.
Participants move through a structured course that includes:
- Carries
- Conditioning work
- Strength elements
- Simple, demanding movement
Every element can be scaled to suit different abilities. You go at your own pace, within your own limits.
It’s designed to be inclusive, so alternative versions are also available for adaptive athletes.
For more FAQs, click here
This challenge isn’t just about completing the workout. It’s an opportunity to raise support for those who need it, in a way that’s straightforward and accessible.
Your registration fee includes a donation to the charity, but any additional fundraising makes a real difference.
The first 250 participants to raise £50 will receive the exclusive 457 Challenge T-shirt and socks!
The Army Benevolent Fund provides lifelong support to soldiers, veterans, and their families. From injury recovery and transition to civilian life, to support in later years. for more infomation visit www.armybenevolentfund.org
For more FAQs, click here
