This Is What It's Like to Run the Darby Queen Obstacle Course 

For those that don’t know, this is not Ranger School. This is Best Ranger Competiton where 2 man teams of soldiers with Ranger tabs, from across the army compete. This team happens to be from the 75th so they are scrolled and tabbed. They go for about 60 hours straight and cover 60 miles in that time period, rucking, running, doing obstacle courses, shooting ranges, even an airborne op. The Darby queen is towards the end of the competition on day 3 so these guys are running on fumes. Trust that these guys are in phenomenal shape, half iron man level athletes at least.

If you see me at a kids playground training for this, mind ya business

I wish our parks and rec department would set one of these up.

As a former British Army veteran I give a massive shout out to my American Brothers in Arms. Well done lads. Cracking effort. 🤟

I need to take a break from watching these guys...I'm exhausted.

Reading some of the negative comments tells me many don’t have a clue to the context here. Wether it’s the Best Ranger competition or Ranger School, when you hit the Darby Queen you are already beaten down , with more pain to follow. This is not for the weak, the feint of heart or the video gamer pretending to be hard.

When I ran this course we had just completed a two day non stop patrol with no sleep and very, very little to eat. In between obstacles, we were subjected to additional exercises while waiting for your Ranger buddy to catch up. Ranger school Class 9-82.

What fond memories. Last time I had the great opportunity to run the bitch was in 86' as a RI at Benning. And then a couple of weeks later being dragged thru the pine trees prior to being dunked in Victory Pond for a Rangers in Action demonstration. Followed by the magnesium battery in the PRC-77 burning up on my back as the two of us flew suspended beneath the Blackhawk. Good times. I'm 61 now and would do it all over again if it were possible.

wow, this is incredibly tough. wonder what they had been through before starting this course. they already look tired.

Muscle failure SUCKS, brain says keep going, muscles say nope😂

It’s important to note that these guys are both already graduates of the Ranger course and are serving as Airborne Rangers in a Ranger Regiment so they have done this and much more hard training besides. They volunteered to serve in the Army, then again to undergo Airborne training, then again to attend Ranger School, then volunteered once more to serve in the demanding Ranger Regiment. The Army forces no one to do any of these things so went far above and beyond the norm and willingly undertook all of these challenges to serve an elite role in their nation’s Armed Forces. After all that, they then volunteered to go through the optional, but grueling Best Ranger Competition which is what is being filmed here. This is day 3 of a competition that makes an Ironman race seem like a Sunday stroll and it’s designed to literally find the best of the best among Rangers. Since this is Day 3, they are already running on sheer intestinal fortitude and the never quit spirit that Rangers cultivate. The Darby Queen is a bitch on your best day, but imagine facing it after being completely smoked for 3 days. Having spent time in the community, I can tell you that the things our elite warriors face is unfathomable and incomprehensible to most people.

Good stuff! Get some! Marine Staff NCOs be like, “Boots were not bloused, you failed.” 🙄🙄

I remember doing this back in '89. Great to see these youngsters doing it.

It's been over 20-years and the SUCK NEVER GOES AWAY. the Darby Queen was truly a nightmare, every frickin time I ran it. At least it looks like some obstacle upgrades

Putting your arms up and hands behind head opens up your lung cavity, allows for more oxygen when breathing 👍🏻😉🇺🇸

How much sleep are these guys on? Maybe 8 hours...in the last week? Lol some of these guys are hallucinating while doing this, so for all you athletes saying this isn't that hard...You don't understand the context.

I ran a couple obstacle course and when I first saw them, I was like "Yeah, I can totally do that obstacle" then you realize the obstacles are miles and miles after running through utter harassing terrain. Then I was like "Ohhhhh"

I did a similar course, way back in the day, when I was stationed at Ft. Bragg. Even then most were timed with a stopwatch. My team was timed with a calendar.....and it was a leap year. Much Respect to those who Lead The Way.

In ranger school... It’s the events in between the obstacles that make the Darby Queen “memorable”

This video brings back memories...Ranger class 2-94. The DC was tough then and it's still tough today, so good job to anyone who can complete this course.

Wow... And his smile at the end is just amazing... Go Rangers! Rangers lead the way

You can tell the second guy, I believe his name is Henry? He hit his wall, and kept powering through anyway. That kind of mental fortitude is very rare, especially these days. I have a huge amount of respect for these guys.

They forgot to show the part where you get smoked in between each obstacle 🧐

thanks this brings back memorys for an old vet

Honestly, it looks awesome, and the teamwork reminds me of collegiate crew. At 42 its hard to accept that this Army Ranger path is now closed. That part of me that wants to be a ranger, is sad and also excited for these men. They are killing it. Lastly, this is a timed course with very precise maneuvers that require tremendous physical strength and endurance. These men did it. Wow!

They are one though group of people who can finish this course. Thank you all for you sevice!

It’s the music that slowed them down.....

Just know this happy music ain't going through these soldiers heads while doing this! They look extremely exhausted already to begin with! Sleep deprivation is your worst enemy in the military.

This is really amazing!!!! Good job. 👊

I have SO much respect for all the men competing and who serve. Thank you all!

You boys are awesome keep kicking ass

One of my friends just posted this on Facebook & I was just thinking, man wouldn't mind getting someone with me to attempt this beast of a course as those height based obstacles would definitely mess with me for sure.

Thank you guys for what you do . Rangers lead the way Hooah!

Damn. That was outstanding. Really inspiring.

Fantastic gentlemen. Well done.

Much respect to you blokes 👍🇬🇧

This is unbelievable. Fitness goals!

I think the feeling of being one of this guys can't be compared to anything else.

Watching this is my daily workout.

I remember when purdy was a e5 good to see him still in the army

that's badass.... I miss being young and in the military lol....

I'm a bit exhausted after WATCHING them! 😂 You can see how exhausted they were getting with one obstacle after another.

From 0:15 to 13:32 was just for the cameras and a warm up - From 14:10 is where they do it all again for real in full kit. Good effort guys and a very nice course even without any water obstacles.

My class 14/87 was a good class , we gave hands to each other , support each other all the way training, RANGERS LEAD THE WAY

Those trapeze safety nets and high jump pads are new additions

Thank you all who have or are currently serving we can not thank you enough

Good memories. Thank you. I miss that course. And damn, when did I become the old veteran watching. I remember meeting them when I was in, but I definitely didn’t understand. Thank you.

Incredible strength and endurance

I ran this course when I went through AIT. What people don't realize is the Darby Queen it is 2.5 miles long, with uneven ground, and roots to trip over, gravel, and rocks that tear off the skin, and almost the ENTIRE course is uphill in a higher than average altitude. The parts that are downhill like the start are equally bad because gravity is trying to pull you down hard to eat it in the rocks. It really takes a toll on you. In the meantime, the Seal obstacle course at Buds is only about 100 yards in soft sand on a level surface :)

I am literally breathing hard and drinking water for these guys. Great work!

Awesome assault course. Only the fittest of the fit can do this. Mega, respect 💪💪

Ran the Darby Queen three times in 1985 (Benning OCS, class 5-85) and again in 1992 as a CPT. In 85 we had a Wet Course and a Dry Course to run. This was the dry course. The wet course was a whole different animal; it includes LBE and a creek crossing by rope and cargo net climb against a muddy cliff.

I want to do that, looks like fun! And yes, coffee!!!

11:08 My knees and elbows started to sore as soon as I watched this scene...

Flashback of exhausting HELL!!! But over 20 years later, there's many fond memories!! RANGERS LEAD THE WAY 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🦅🦅🦅

GREAT Hustle!! kILLED IT!!

Hell yeah! I remember that SOB! Good times!!!

My arms felt like logs early into the course...right at the Tarzan obstacle too...fun times

Respekt vor der Leistung. Respekt der Leistung der Soldaten. Spitzensportler.

...after decades of SELF-DISCOVERY I can say: I AM READY FOR THIS !!! 💪💪🇺🇸💥🙏

Mad Respect!

ITs a tuff course alight, cause your already tired some, good course. Glad I made it

The day we went through the Darby Mile is a blur 😅 thanks for sharing!

Good job gentlemen , keep up the fire!

This makes my 4 mile run I’m about to do look like a walk in the park. Thanks for the motivation guys. 🤙

It needs a lot of phyiscal and mental strength to tackle such a challanging task. It reminds me of my training at PMA. Being a Doc I had to go through a lil softer version of obstacle course lol. Lots of respect from Pakistan. Buck Up!

07/08 Ranger buddy and I got a minor plus for having the best time...that was quickly erased with a major minus for not having eye protection on during a patrol. :)

All I can say is amazing...

That was all kinds of awesome

Fun times 💪... Wish we had one close.

I got to do this as an Air Force guy, boy did I catch it everyday, lol!

Loved doing this stuff esp as child.gymnastics help with some that crawling on ground stuff.

In my 1993 OSUT class, we ran parts of the Darby Queen. What you're seeing here is competitors for the Best Ranger Competition held every year.

When I had to run the Queen as a Ranger in 1/75 Infantry (Ranger) prior to the Regiment back in 1973-‘74 , and before tmy going through the SFOQC at Ft Bragg in 1975 and the Nasty Nick obstacle course, they didn’t have those gym mats and nets. It was reality training. If you fell off of an obstacle you landed on the hard ground. Cargo nets and telephone poles were for climbing. At Ft Bragg’s Nasty Nick, going through the Officers Q Course, we carried all our gear and weapons and ran it day, night sun or rain. When we did it bare without the gear it was kind of fun. But it never got easier. Just when you had it memorized, the Black hats would add or change an obstacle. I’m now 64 and retired. Whenever I see a young guy wearing a Black & Gold Tab I smile knowing he’s run the Queen.

Ironwork just like that love it cool team work 👍💪

RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!!!

Warriors...Bravo!

This looks like fun

I didn’t do this one but one that’s near it when I was in Infantry school. We got to repel off the Ranger tower though.

I remember doing this course some years ago. Good stuff

Awesome course, I use to love doing obstacle course's and confidence course's. They can definitely challenge your mind and body. For some reason the Bayonet Assault Courses wore me out the fastest. Oh and the NBC runs or courses will definitely smoke you I remember watching sweat spray out of my voice mitter I didn't think that was possible. I was never a Ranger in my 23 years of service. All the respect to the Army Rangers always.

As a Spartan racer, this looks like a lot of fun. I understand that this would be appreciably less fun if you're forced to do it, and if there's a time limit hanging over your head.

Memories!!! I’ve landed head first from the skyscraper 😂

The obstacles might not be that “tough.” But after a few days of being smoked hour after hour on top of little to no sleep....1 pull up can feel fucking awful.

This looks fun

Just watching this sent me to the ER!!!

THANKS

9:09 I remember the weaver - It was hard until I knew the trick. I implement that trick now when I want to lift myself off the couch :)

"Wow that sucked, now let's hurry and put all our heavy gear back on" 😫 it never ends!!

Good job.

Amazing video but the audio seems to be a tad off?

Unconditional love

Damm.. looks fun ✊🏽✊🏽🔥🔥

Damn... These guys were moving on will and guts. Both of them were smoked and I know how that feels. They are bad dudes. I have a lot of respect for the Rangers.

Looks like fun

What an assault course this is. Those two guy's doing this here, must be the fittest of the fit 💪💪

Digging this music.

Looks fun

God bless you all

Rangers are awesome!