Over the 15 years of the Arnold Strongman Classic, the most consistent event also happens to be the final event, the timber carry. A huge wooden frame carried up a wooden ramp. A monstrous version of the farmers walk, which you have probably done in competition or your own training. What separates the timber carry is the sheer size of the implement, and the unique challenge of having to carry it up an inclined ramp. It was introduced weighing 825lbs, and the only year it was not in the contest was 2013. The heaviest it ever was without straps was 881, and this will be the fourth year that straps are allowed. Weighing in at 1102lbs, it is exactly the same as last year, so we can have a good gauge of what to expect from the athletes based on last year.




There are far more training videos available showcasing events such as the log press and deadlift, but very few exist of the timber carry. Maybe, walking with 1000+lbs isn't very fun? It's hard to find a ramp? Then, if you do collect 1,000lbs of weight and a ramp, how do you carry it back down? These logistical nightmares, aside the timber carry, are very important factors and should not be overlooked. Not only is it the final event and will likely decide who is crowned the Arnold Strongman Classic champion, but it also tends to have the biggest points spread with rarely any ties, as it is based on who walks up the ramp the fastest, or with total distance. This is the event that is the most up for grabs, where a stumble can really cost you. The timber carry could really shake up the standings, and should not be missed.

Hafthor Bjornsson: The Mountain won the event last year with a time of 10.02 seconds. The timber carry looked effortless, and he charged up the ramp with very fast feet. A repeat of this performance is to be expected judging by his easy walk with 410kg/902lbs here:

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Jerry Pritchett: Just a little behind Thor last year with a time of 12.2 seconds; Pritchett trains on an incline to simulate the ramp, which should really help him be at the top of the event again this year.

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Zydrunas Savickas: One of the few events Big Z has ever struggled with at the Arnold, he managed third place last year. When the timber carry allows straps it really favors Z, and with it being the last event, I expect he really pushes to try to secure another title.

Brian Shaw: A slight stumble cost Shaw some points last year, and with how methodical the returning Champion is I am sure he has dissected what happened to help prevent the same this year.

Dimitar Savatinov: He struggled last year, but seems to have been put heavy frame carries as an emphasis in training, including a run up the ramp Pritchett uses when he visited Arizona:

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Eddie Hall: The deadlift king stumbled last year, and despite a huge increase in body weight, (up to a reported 400lbs) his moving events seem to keep improving based on his win at Britain's Strongest Man earlier this year.

The Timber Carry is a perfect way to end the Arnold Strongman Classic. This event eliminates the potential to win, based on a strategy. You just have to do it. Planning ahead is largely out the window, with 10 athletes all running to get up the ramp another second faster or move the frame forward another inch. I predict we’ll see the best performances ever in this event and since it is the last event, one stumble or a gutsy run could dramatically swing points and be the difference of 10,000+ dollars for the athletes.