Peak District Highland Games 2019 PREVIEW
Peak District Highland Games Preview Report
Peak District Highland Games PREVIEW
Amongst the rolling hills of Derbyshire and the rising Peaks of this fascinating landscape there is a storm brewing up. A storm which includes some of the UK’s and regions strongest men preparing to do battle for the coveted title of the Peak District Highland Games Champion 2019.
The Peak District Highland Games is a chance to see a highland games themed competition comprising of a mix of World strongman events and traditional highland games events. So before we introduce the athletes lets take a look at why this show is unique.
Athletes will be paraded into the arena with a bagpipe band. A Highland Games event wouldn’t be the same without the sound of these amazing instruments.
Chances for photos with the athletes between each events when the PA notifies the crowd.
Event 1 GIANT LOG PRESS (sponsored by Royal Oak Hurdlow)
Giant Log Press – around 120 kg on a tradition long barbell (weights casted with two giant drums at either side) to be pressed for reps from the shoulders as many times as possible. Great event to start with.
Event 2 MEDLEY (sponsored by Bakewell Bakery and Visit Peak District & Derbyshire
Medley (meaning a mix of events in one). This will comprise of Duck Walk (a stone carry that makes you walk like a duck holding the stone in between the legs and walking. Anvil Carry, picking the anvil up and walking leading into a stone throw.
Event 3 TRACTOR PULL (sponsored by camping and caravanning club)
A fan friendly event – the vehicle pull, this time with a farm theme. 8 tonnes of raw meal in the form of a tractor. A big tractor. And what makes it harder are the Giant tyres that will test the strongmen to their limit to get it moving.
Event 4 CABER TOSS ( sponsored by heights of Abraham)
Caber toss – a classic Highland Games event. However our caber is a little shorter and heavier tipping the scales at around 50 kg. This is ‘tossed’ or flipped a full rotation for a successful ‘toss’ and the furthest throw dictates the winner.
Event 5 STONE OF DESTINY (sponsored by Peak Edge Hotel)
Stone of Destiny – a corker of an event. 200-250kg stone to be carried for time over a distance. What makes it awkward is the shape of the stone to even grip and hold never mind running with it!
Event 6 – new event this year DINNIE STONES (sponsored by Peak Ales)
Inspired Dinnie Stones The Dinnie Stones (also called Stanes or Steens) are a pair of Scottish lifting stones located in Potarch, Aberdeenshire.
They were made famous by strongman Donald Dinnie, who reportedly carried the stones barehanded across the width of the Potarch Bridge, a distance of 17 ft 1.5 in (5.22 m), in 1860.
Our stones are inspired by these with a handle sunk into the top of both stones that are used to grip and then lift the stones upright and hold for the longest time. An absolute gruelling event to finish on.
Event 7
Tug of war – a Man Beast crowd favourite as we invite kids and families to vs the strongmen in 3 rounds of tug of war using our famous tug of war rope used in Yorkshire’s strongest man.
The Athletes
Dave Thornton, a real threat to the podium this year Dave seems to get stronger at the events each year in particular the tractor pull and stone of destiny carry where his speed has seen him win numerous events. We have learnt not underestimate him, when he is on his game he has the potential to win the competition.
Simon Knowles – a giant of a man 6 feet 5 inches tall, amassing regional titles in Yorkshire and hitting the podium previously in the Highland Games and competed at England’s strongest man this year. With 22 inch biceps and eating a massive 6500 calories Simon will certainly be a force to be reckoned with.
Dan Mcnamee – former Suffolk’s strongest man. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches tall with 18 inch biceps Dan is a new entry thrown into the mix. With a credible strongman history we are interested to see how he fares in the competition. Who knows he could be a wildcard!
Scott Mark Litchfield – requires no introduction for regular fans of our Highland Games show. Having won it two times Scott has a knack of remaining consistent in every event amassing points that have seen him pip the field. Regularly sporting Celtic face paint Scott really gets the crowd going.
Paul Smith – probably the most decorated Athlete in our line up operating at world level. Having competed out in the Philippines at WSM, Canada in the world’s strongest junior (winning the title 2017) and the youngest man in history to win England’s strongest man Paul is a new entry and a major force. Having said that all the competitors will want to measure their strength against him.
Richard Hansen – Richard has competed in a few of our Highland games competition and having the edge with experience at the events. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall we love having him as part of our shows as he often gets the crowd going with his energy in events. Size 13 inch shoe, 19 inch biceps another force that on his day poses a threat.
Rob Marsh – no one can fault the amount of energy and enthusiasm Rob puts into training and his events. A lighter competitors (normally competes in the under 105kg bodyweight category, around 16.7 stones) he is strong, fast and agile which may give him the edge in some events. We shall see.
Zac Perry Again tonnes of experience now in the Highland games events. Zac seems in particularly to do well in the throwing events, competing well in the caber toss and winning the stone throwing events in previous competitions.
Dave Johnson – another new entry and until the day we won’t know how he will fare. Another wildcard entry and we love an unknown quantity with experience in the recent Scunthorpe strongest man and a wide variety of strongman events.
Mark Tompson - Height 5ft-10 18 inch arm 26 inch thigh 34 inch waist . Previous results are *Yorkshire's strongest novice 2018 7th *Manimal winter warmer novice 2018, 3rd *Rotherham's strongest 105kg 2019, 2nd *Amateur Arnold's 105kg 2019 3rd.
Jake Rideout – Trains with Scott Mark Litchfield and competed last year in the Peak District Highland Games 2018 – impressing with a podium finish at his first event with us. 6ft-1, 21 stone , Biceps 20 inch , Thigh 31 , Shoe size 11 and looking extremely strong in training we wouldn’t be surprised if Jake can build on his success last year to hit second place or threaten first.
Man Beast strongman events - top picks. It’s a hard one. The nature of the events means it opens the field right up. No one can write off Scott after his dominating performances in the Highland games events 2017 & 2018.
Paul Smith needs no introduction – new this year he is definitely a threat to Scott.
But there are three men we can’t ignore Simon Knowles, Jake Rideout and Dave Thornton.
Simon is getting better each year and Jake did particularly well last year. Dave is a regular at our events and we have seen get stronger and faster each time. If we were to take a gamble and pick a wildcard Dave is it.
MAN BEAST STRONGMAN – ABOUT US
We coordinate and arrange regional, opens and National strongman competitions.
We also run a strongman demo roadshow, themed roadshows with the Country’s strongest men for business, events and entertainment for a variety of public and private sector clients.
We specialise in strongman vehicle pulls and can pull over 20 tonnes of machinery for great show spectacles.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITOR
Main Contact: Andrew Picken
Details:
manbeastevents@gmail.com
Tel: 07887400202
http://www.manbeast.co.uk
Sheffield. Founded in 2014
Twitter: @ManBeast28
Facebook: @ManBeast28
Peak District Highland Games PREVIEW
Amongst the rolling hills of Derbyshire and the rising Peaks of this fascinating landscape there is a storm brewing up. A storm which includes some of the UK’s and regions strongest men preparing to do battle for the coveted title of the Peak District Highland Games Champion 2019.
The Peak District Highland Games is a chance to see a highland games themed competition comprising of a mix of World strongman events and traditional highland games events. So before we introduce the athletes lets take a look at why this show is unique.
Athletes will be paraded into the arena with a bagpipe band. A Highland Games event wouldn’t be the same without the sound of these amazing instruments.
Chances for photos with the athletes between each events when the PA notifies the crowd.
Simon Knowles Log Press
Event 1 GIANT LOG PRESS (sponsored by Royal Oak Hurdlow)
Giant Log Press – around 120 kg on a tradition long barbell (weights casted with two giant drums at either side) to be pressed for reps from the shoulders as many times as possible. Great event to start with.
Event 2 MEDLEY (sponsored by Bakewell Bakery and Visit Peak District & Derbyshire
Medley (meaning a mix of events in one). This will comprise of Duck Walk (a stone carry that makes you walk like a duck holding the stone in between the legs and walking. Anvil Carry, picking the anvil up and walking leading into a stone throw.
Event 3 TRACTOR PULL (sponsored by camping and caravanning club)
A fan friendly event – the vehicle pull, this time with a farm theme. 8 tonnes of raw meal in the form of a tractor. A big tractor. And what makes it harder are the Giant tyres that will test the strongmen to their limit to get it moving.
Mark Anglesea on vintage tractor (bigger tractor used in competition)
Event 4 CABER TOSS ( sponsored by heights of Abraham)
Caber toss – a classic Highland Games event. However our caber is a little shorter and heavier tipping the scales at around 50 kg. This is ‘tossed’ or flipped a full rotation for a successful ‘toss’ and the furthest throw dictates the winner.
Paul Smith Caber Toss
Event 5 STONE OF DESTINY (sponsored by Peak Edge Hotel)
Stone of Destiny – a corker of an event. 200-250kg stone to be carried for time over a distance. What makes it awkward is the shape of the stone to even grip and hold never mind running with it!
Event 6 – new event this year DINNIE STONES (sponsored by Peak Ales)
Inspired Dinnie Stones The Dinnie Stones (also called Stanes or Steens) are a pair of Scottish lifting stones located in Potarch, Aberdeenshire.
They were made famous by strongman Donald Dinnie, who reportedly carried the stones barehanded across the width of the Potarch Bridge, a distance of 17 ft 1.5 in (5.22 m), in 1860.
Our stones are inspired by these with a handle sunk into the top of both stones that are used to grip and then lift the stones upright and hold for the longest time. An absolute gruelling event to finish on.
Scott Mark Litchfield dinnie stones
Event 7
Tug of war – a Man Beast crowd favourite as we invite kids and families to vs the strongmen in 3 rounds of tug of war using our famous tug of war rope used in Yorkshire’s strongest man.
The Athletes
Dave Thornton, a real threat to the podium this year Dave seems to get stronger at the events each year in particular the tractor pull and stone of destiny carry where his speed has seen him win numerous events. We have learnt not underestimate him, when he is on his game he has the potential to win the competition.
Simon Knowles – a giant of a man 6 feet 5 inches tall, amassing regional titles in Yorkshire and hitting the podium previously in the Highland Games and competed at England’s strongest man this year. With 22 inch biceps and eating a massive 6500 calories Simon will certainly be a force to be reckoned with.
Tug of war strong kids vs strongmen
Dan Mcnamee – former Suffolk’s strongest man. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches tall with 18 inch biceps Dan is a new entry thrown into the mix. With a credible strongman history we are interested to see how he fares in the competition. Who knows he could be a wildcard!
Scott Mark Litchfield – requires no introduction for regular fans of our Highland Games show. Having won it two times Scott has a knack of remaining consistent in every event amassing points that have seen him pip the field. Regularly sporting Celtic face paint Scott really gets the crowd going.
Paul Smith – probably the most decorated Athlete in our line up operating at world level. Having competed out in the Philippines at WSM, Canada in the world’s strongest junior (winning the title 2017) and the youngest man in history to win England’s strongest man Paul is a new entry and a major force. Having said that all the competitors will want to measure their strength against him.
Richard Hansen – Richard has competed in a few of our Highland games competition and having the edge with experience at the events. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall we love having him as part of our shows as he often gets the crowd going with his energy in events. Size 13 inch shoe, 19 inch biceps another force that on his day poses a threat.
Rob Marsh – no one can fault the amount of energy and enthusiasm Rob puts into training and his events. A lighter competitors (normally competes in the under 105kg bodyweight category, around 16.7 stones) he is strong, fast and agile which may give him the edge in some events. We shall see.
Zac Perry Again tonnes of experience now in the Highland games events. Zac seems in particularly to do well in the throwing events, competing well in the caber toss and winning the stone throwing events in previous competitions.
Dave Johnson – another new entry and until the day we won’t know how he will fare. Another wildcard entry and we love an unknown quantity with experience in the recent Scunthorpe strongest man and a wide variety of strongman events.
Mark Tompson - Height 5ft-10 18 inch arm 26 inch thigh 34 inch waist . Previous results are *Yorkshire's strongest novice 2018 7th *Manimal winter warmer novice 2018, 3rd *Rotherham's strongest 105kg 2019, 2nd *Amateur Arnold's 105kg 2019 3rd.
Jake Rideout – Trains with Scott Mark Litchfield and competed last year in the Peak District Highland Games 2018 – impressing with a podium finish at his first event with us. 6ft-1, 21 stone , Biceps 20 inch , Thigh 31 , Shoe size 11 and looking extremely strong in training we wouldn’t be surprised if Jake can build on his success last year to hit second place or threaten first.
Man Beast strongman events - top picks. It’s a hard one. The nature of the events means it opens the field right up. No one can write off Scott after his dominating performances in the Highland games events 2017 & 2018.
Paul Smith needs no introduction – new this year he is definitely a threat to Scott.
But there are three men we can’t ignore Simon Knowles, Jake Rideout and Dave Thornton.
Simon is getting better each year and Jake did particularly well last year. Dave is a regular at our events and we have seen get stronger and faster each time. If we were to take a gamble and pick a wildcard Dave is it.
MAN BEAST STRONGMAN – ABOUT US
We coordinate and arrange regional, opens and National strongman competitions.
We also run a strongman demo roadshow, themed roadshows with the Country’s strongest men for business, events and entertainment for a variety of public and private sector clients.
We specialise in strongman vehicle pulls and can pull over 20 tonnes of machinery for great show spectacles.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITOR
Main Contact: Andrew Picken
Details:
manbeastevents@gmail.com
Tel: 07887400202
http://www.manbeast.co.uk
Sheffield. Founded in 2014
Twitter: @ManBeast28
Facebook: @ManBeast28
Comments
Post a Comment