After months of gruelling training at the Legion Strength and Fitness Gym in Durham, it was time to get my kit bag ready for the biggest battle in my strongman journey, writes Bishop Auckland’s Marc Barton.
On 27 June I competed in the Ultimate Strongman Worlds Championships, battling it out for the strongest master U105kgs.
It was a long journey from Durham train station to Heathrow Airport where I would meet my best friend Mark Giltrow who was joining me on this once in a lifetime event.
At 8.30pm we got on the flight to Johannesburg landing the following day at 8.30am. I was very nervous wondering if my bag containing all my Strongman stuff (belts/knee and elbow sleeves/deadlift suit and all my other very important accessories) had made it to Johannesburg airport too – it was the last one to appear on the luggage belt! I was then calm and ready for the journey to commence.
When we got to the hotel the receptionist welcomed us with a great surprise – an upgrade to the presidential suite! This trip just got even better!
We went out to see some local culture. We went to Nelson Mandela house and tried the local south African food which was unreal.
On the Friday I went to the gym to get weighed in as I needed to be under 105kgs. I stood on the scales a very happy 102.7kgs so it was time to eat my body weight in food and energise myself for the biggest battle in my strongman journey.
After the weigh in we went to Johannesburg Zoo which was a great chilled day seeing the ‘Big Five’ and many more animals.
So Saturday came and it was my turn to represent England and do everyone proud. When I turned up to the event, music was playing and all the athletes were getting their areas set up for the day.
The organiser gathered all athletes to the centre of the arena to explain the rules and what would be happening on the day.
Event 1 was the overhead medley, lifting 100kgs log then straight into 110kgs axle and then as many reps on the monster dumbell – I did three, placing me in 2nd place.
Event 2 was big wheel axle deadlift 280kgs as many reps as possible – I managed nearly eight but ran out of time, again placed 2nd in this event.
Event 3 was farmers walk – 120kg per hand run up 15m, then run it back in the fastest time. I placed 2nd in the event.
Event 4 was super yoke 320kgs, followed with a 100kgs sand bag carry and load over yoke bar – again I placed 2nd in this event and 2nd overall, 3 points behind the leader, Paul Mwanza from Zambia.
Event 5 was atlas stones – 110kgs 5.5ft; 125kgs 5ft; 140kgs 4.5ft; 160kgs 4ft.
I couldn’t keep up with the leader, so I was crowned 2nd strongest master U105kgs in the world.
1st place: Paul Mwanza (Zambia).
2nd place: Marc Barton (England).
3rd place: Marius Rozentals (Latvia).
This wouldn’t have been possible without the support from my fiancée Lyndsay, family, friends and the Legion Strength Gym.
My achievement has yet to sink in – I feel like I have just done something I love and would recommend strongman/woman training to anyone who is thinking about it but hasn’t yet taken the step forward.
Its a really friendly atmosphere.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
