“Everyone admires the bold; no one honors the timid.” -Robert Greene

The meet to make your ancestors proud! It’s not for the faint of heart or the weak of bowels. It’s a true test of your brute strength and mental fortitude. We’ve held Illinois Strongest Man & Woman for over twenty years, and this is the best event lineup we’ve come up with yet! Four tests of max strength and max distance. No high reps, no sprints. Nobody is going to confuse this for a CrossFit comp. In the end, one man and one woman will be named Illinois Strongest.

This is a qualifier for 2025 USS Nationals in Charlotte, NC.

EVENTS:

Max Log Press

Log clean and press for max weight. Weight will start at 75 pounds on a 10 inch steel log, with all weights 190 and above on a 12” diameter log. We’ll call out the weight, raise your hand if you want to try it, three attempts total. Wessels rule applies.  (You miss a lift, you're done). We’re going old school with this one, so no grip shirts.  Chalk up as much as you want though.

18” Flintstone Deadlift

Deadlift from blocks with a massive stone-ended deadlift bar. Just as in the first event, athletes will choose weights rising bar auction style, with 3 attempts.  (Wessels rule applies here as well).  

Straps (regular or figure 8), chalk, belts, will be allowed.

Not allowed: no sumo stance, deadlift suits, squat suits, hooks

Max Distance Farmer’s Carry

Carry a massive 6 foot long wooden farmer’s set as far as you can-without dropping-around an oval course. Chalk is fine. No tacky, no straps.

Max Distance Stone Carry

We don’t have Iceland’s Husafell Stone, so we got the next best thing: The Soucifell Stone! We’ve got a 170 natural stone for women and a 355 pound natural stone for men to carry around an oval course for max distance. Chalk is fine, but no tacky of any kind (including tacky towels or spray), no stone straps. No grip shirts on this one either.

All athletes will compete within their weight class, and because the weights are the same for everyone, all athletes will also vie for the overall title.

First two events are rising bar. In the last two, you will go in reverse order of entries received REGARDLESS OF WEIGHT CLASS. Getting your entry in early gives you a big advantage in knowing what distance you will need to beat.

For updates, equipment photos, and training info- follow One Way Strength on Facebook or Instagram.  

PARKING & FOOD

This year’s event will take place during the St. Anne Pumpkin Fest. We will be in front of the park ponds, an easy walk to food trucks and other activities.

Parking will be available near the competition area.

There is no fee for the festival, parking, or spectators. Bring your whole crew to watch and cheer you on.