Santa Clarita resident Donna Murren is competing in the CrossFit Games this week, going up against the world’s most fit CrossFit athletes in pursuit of the title, “Fittest on Earth.”

Murren, 55, is a member of CrossFit DoubleTime in Santa Clarita, and will compete Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the Masters Women age 55-59 division at the CrossFit Games, being held at the StubHub Center in Carson. The Games are essentially the Super Bowl for the CrossFit world, with only the most elite CrossFit athletes in the world qualifying to compete. To qualify, Murren worked her way to becoming ranked among the top 20 in her age bracket.

Competing in the CrossFit Games is the culmination of a four-year journey to fitness that started when she was an out-of-shape, 209-pound 51-year-old.

“In 2012 I was at an all-time low place in my life, with my weight at its highest of 209 pounds and no motivation,” Murren said. “My son insisted I get off the couch and go to his CrossFit gym with him. I finally decided to go.”

At first, she said, her new workout regimen was difficult.

“I couldn’t do much,” Murren said, “only step-ups on a 10-inch box, and I declared I would never be able to get a pull-up. The owner of that gym would patiently reassure me, with, ‘Just do what you can.’ And with that, I saw myself improve every week, and I was hooked.”

She participated in her first CrossFit Open in 2013, and set a goal to become a CrossFit Games athlete by 2016, at age 55. She met her current coach, Chris Morton, in 2014 and began training for competition. She works out six days a week for approximately six hours per day, and has a strict diet and recovery program.

Morton, who specializes in personalized strength and conditioning programming, has been with her every step of the way since then. He said Murren’s dedication to her training has been the key to achieving her goal of competing in the CrossFit Games.

“Donna set her mind to it and put in all the hard work that it takes to reach such an elite level of fitness,” Morton said. “It takes discipline and dedication to become one of the top CrossFit athletes in the world, and we’re all proud of her for what she has accomplished.”

Murren credits her coach, family, friends and faith for her success.

“I have been supported by my family and friends who have prayed for me,” Murren said. “I am overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude to be competing in the 2016 CrossFit Games.”

About the CrossFit Games

The CrossFit Games is a competition involving many aspects of fitness. CrossFit’s competitive season starts in February with the Open, a series of five workouts over the course of five weeks that anyone in the CrossFit community can participate in at their local “box.” This year more than 324,000 athletes from around the world submitted scores for the Open. Those who rank high enough in the Open are invited to Regionals, where they compete for the coveted spots at the Games. Only the most elite athletes in the world will qualify for the Games, which feature multiple events to compete for the title “Fittest on Earth.” There are three main divisions for individuals to compete for both men and women: Teens, Masters and Individuals. The top 20 in each age range compete in Teens and Masters, and the top 40 in the world compete for Individuals. Teens and Masters compete on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week, and Individuals will compete through Sunday. Select events are televised on ESPN and all events are online at http://games.crossfit.com/.

About CrossFit DoubleTime

CrossFit DoubleTime is a CrossFit gym located in Santa Clarita near Sam’s Club at 26320 Diamond Place, Unit 150. They specialize in CrossFit classes, endurance training, weightlifting, yoga and personalized programming. To learn more about CrossFit or to try a class, visit http://www.crossfitdoubletime.com/ or email head coach Curtis at Curtis@crossfitdoubletime.com.