event 1: max deadlift (3 attempts)

competitors have 3 attempts to reach their max deadlift

• Comp volunteer will announce weight on the bar and athletes may jump in at will, so please pay attention to announcements

• 30 second time limit per attempt

• 3 attempts per athlete following Wessels Rule

  • Wessels Rule: 3 attempts; if you miss an attempt you are finished; if there's a tie the person who got the lift in an earlier attempt beats the other

• Allowed equipment: straps, belts, knee sleeves, deadlift socks, lifting shoes, wrist wraps, chalk / liquid chalk

• Not allowed: suits, briefs, lifting hooks, tacky, baby powder on thighs, or anything that sticks bar to body

• Safety: Shins & feet must be covered (long socks or leggings) to prevent blood on the bar

• Lift must be performed with:

• Full lockout at the top (hips through, knees locked, shoulders back)

• Judge will give a clear DOWN command when lockout is complete

• The bar must be controlled to the floor — no deliberate dropping from the top

• Conventional and sumo stances are both allowed

• Hitching is allowed as long as the lift is continuous and lockout is achieved with control

• Any attempt clearly ramped or rested on the thighs in an excessive or unsafe way may be called “no lift” at the judge’s discretion

event 2: bench press (reps in 60 seconds)

competitors have 60 seconds to complete as many reps as possible

• Allowed equipment: lifting belts, wrist wraps, elbow sleeves, chalk

• Not allowed: bench shirts, slingshot-type gear/ other assistive gear, tacky, lifting hooks, or any device that attaches bar to body

• Standard powerlifting form applies:

• Feet must stay in contact with the floor

• Head and butt must stay in contact with the bench

• Arching is ok

• Spotters will assist with lift-off and rerack, if needed

• Arms must lock out fully at the top of each rep

• If competitor has credible physical limitation they must show their judge prior to the start of the lift

• Bar must touch the chest with control each rep - no bouncing

• Judges will use a simple “Start” and “Rack” commands:

• Competitors must wait for “Start” before first rep

• At end of time, the judge will call “Rack” if bar is at the top - if the bar is in motion when time expires, the last rep will count if fully locked out before time ends

event 3: Farmer Carry (50 ft for Time)

Competitors will carry one implement in each hand for 50 ft, as fast as possible

• One drop is allowed mid-run — competitor must pick up and continue from the drop point

• Multiple drops beyond one will result in a time penalty (+3 seconds per extra drop)

• The front of both implements must cross the finish line for time to stop

• 60 second total time limit

• Allowed equipment: lifting belts, chalk, wrist wraps

• Not allowed: straps, hooks, tacky / any sticky substance

• Handles must be carried by hand — no resting implements on shoulders, belt, or legs

• Competitors must control implements to the ground at the finish — no throwing or slamming

event 4: Sandbag Load Over Bar (reps in 60 seconds)

Competitors have 1 minute to load a sandbag over a bar for as many reps as possible

• The sandbag must fully clear the bar and land on the other side to count

• Competitor may not grab the bar and push bag over using their body

• After each successful load, the competitor must run to the other side and load over that side, repeating back and forth until time is up

• Allowed equipment: lifting belts, chalk, sleeves, gloves

• Not allowed: tacky, hooks, other lifting assistance gear

PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT SIX FEET OVER, A LOCAL NONPROFIT THAT PROVIDES FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR survivors of suicide loss and individuals with lived experience of suicide, while engaging in community prevention through mental health education and advocacy to support healthier futures.

How to Get Involved

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• Volunteer your time or services

• Sponsor WITH FUNDS, GOODS, OR SERVICES

• Make a donation

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