(CNN) - It's billed as the ultimate challenge. The Spartan Death Race is coming up July 15th in Pittsfield, Vermont. Only 10 percent of those taking part ever finish. A nuclear plant worker in New York hopes to beat the odds.
Michael Kearns straps on 30 pounds of equipment to wear while running. During the Death Race he'll be challenged with physical and mental obstacles, though he isn't told what they'll be.
"This year, required materials are a life jacket, knitting needles, chop sticks, a saw," says Michael Kearns.
He's a veteran Navy submariner and is prepared to compete against people from Olympic medalists to Marines. "For me, it's absolutely just to know where my limits are," Kearns says.
On what he calls 'an easy day' he runs 34 miles. Every three miles, he drops into lunges he calls burpees, or push ups. "While I'm doing that, I'm identifying different people that I pass, trying to identify objects, counting things, trying to do math problems in my head just to keep myself mentally alert."
Kearns says, "One year, they had them waist deep in cold water while deciphering Greek. I'm looking forward to what they throw my way."
He says he usually enjoys passing people on course, but this time he has to think of the long haul.
His goal is to finish the race. An average of 15 percent of participants reach that goal. Completing the race in 24 hours will get him $100,000, 36 hours will get him $50,000, and the maximum allowed time is 72 hours.
