30-05-2025
Cumbria's Strongest Man and Women show promises records and remarkable feats
The most powerful men and women in the county will take the stage in west Cumbria this weekend.
The fourth annual Cumbria's Strongest Man and Woman show promises to see records broken and some remarkable feats of strength.
The event on Saturday at Rivendell in Workington will involve top competitors from Cumbria and some from further afield.
Those behind the 2025 show say an exciting day is in prospect.
'We've got an amazing line-up of competitors,' said Dave Straughton, one of the event's main organisers.
'I honestly think it'll be the best one we've ever had.'
Competitors will take part in five events to test the formidable strength of the men and women involved.
'We've got the max deadlift, and we honestly think we'll see some Cumbria records get broken in that,' added Straughton.
Top competitors on Saturday include, from left to right, last year's 105kg champion Connor Smith, open champion Karl Gorman, Molly Wagstaff and Daniel McNicholas (Image: Submitted)
'We've got an overhead medley, where they've got to press four implements overhead - an axle, a log, a monster one-arm dumbbell, and a natural stone block.
'The third event is the max throw – and the fourth event's really fun, because it's a mystery event.
'Outside of the promotional team, no-one knows what it is. And that'll get announced after event three, about 20 minutes before it starts. So, that will throw a cat amongst the pigeons. I absolutely cannot wait to see the faces of the athletes and the crowd when we announce what it is.
'And then we'll finish with the Cumberland Stones at the end, like we always do.'
The competition will include an open class, a 105kg class and, for the second year, a female category.
A number of national-level competitors will be stepping up.
They will include Workington's Karl Gorman, who has twice been named Cumbria's Strongest Man and will compete in the 105kg class, and fellow west Cumbrian Dan McNicholas, who was the first winner of the title, and who has also qualified for England's Strongest Man as well as holding the county's deadlift record. He will be among the open class competitors.
Connor Smith, who also trains in Workington and recently came second in Britain's Strongest Man at u90kg, will also compete – while the remarkable Mark Tonner, from Catterick, will also wow the crowd.
The military veteran, who lost the use of an arm after a blast in Afghanistan, has won World Disabled Strongman titles.
'He's twice as strong as the average man with one arm,' Straughton said. 'He's a beast.
'He's got to have some specialised kit – such as, for the log press, a specialised one-armed log.
'As amazing as all the athletes are, I think Mark will probably steal the show.'
A crowd of about 500 people is expected and there will be refreshments and a bar.
'It's a brilliant family day and the atmosphere is always great,' added Straughton.
The action starts at 11am and is expected to run to 5pm.
Tickets are still available via the Cumbrian Strongman Promotions Instagram page HERE, or on the door.
