Andy Shields has been lifting competively for 15 years and holds multiple state and national records in the benchpress and drug-free powerlifting. Photo courtesy of Andy Shields

The Botetourt Strongman Contest will be held Nov. 3 in Blue Ridge Park in Botetourt County.

Events: Max deadlift, overhead lift medley, one arm farmers walk, stone over bar, loading medley

Divisions: Under 200 and over 200 pounds. Open division only. Max 30 total entries total

Awards: Top 3 in each weight class

Entry fee: $30.00 in advance or $50.00 day of event.

Schedule: Check in/weigh in 9:00-10:00

Rules/warm up 10:00-10:30

Start @10:30. We will go straight through until done.

Event will be held rain or shine. Events are subject to change without notice.

Event Descriptions:

Max deadlift- A thick bar axle with knurling will be used. Bar will start with 255 pounds and go up from there. You will have 45 seconds to lift it. If you miss you are out. You can try more than once if time is not up. Belt and chalk only, No straps or suits allowed. Conventional stance deadlift only. In case of tie less attempts declares the winner. You can attempt or skip any weight until you miss.

Overhead lift medley- Double kettlebells(50 light, 70 heavy)- clean once then press 5 times, stone-clean then press 4 times(115 light and heavy), keg-clean and press each rep- 3 reps(80 light, 130 heavy) any grip ok, log-clean and press 2 reps(light 140, 200 heavy), axle clean and press once( light 165, heavy 215). Total time for all events determines winner.

One arm farmers walk- Pick up weight with right arm, walk 50 feet, change to left arm then walk 50 feet back to finish. Weights- 150 light, 200 heavy. As many drops as you want. Fastest time wins. No straps allowed.

Stone over bar- Lift stone over bar at around chest height for as many reps in 90 seconds. No tacky allowed. (170 light weight, 220 heavy). Most reps win.

Loading medley- Various objects will be loaded from one area to another. Fastest time wins. Objects will be stones, kegs, sand bags etc. Objects moved in any order.

Andy Shields is a graduate of Lord Botetourt High School and Virginia Tech. Andy has been lifting competively for 15 years. He holds multiple state and national records in the benchpress and drug-free powerlifting. In 2007, he was the No. 1 ranked bench presser in his weight class with a record lift of 700 pounds. His all-time best bench press is 755 in open division competition. Andy trains at House of Strength with the Roanoke Barbell Club on Williamson Road.

– Submitted by Andy Shields