WELCOME TO THE 2027 BULL OF THE DESERT

STRONGMAN COMPETITION - JANUARY 30, 2027!

This is an outdoor event...bring your tents! There is some shade from trees, but nothing beats pitching a tent!

Last year we combined the Bull of the Desert with the Yuma Marathon/half-marathon/5k.  It was so much fun watching all the skinny people be amazed with our athletes, we are doing it again!!! Because both events will have registration going on at the same time, please follow signage for proper check-in/registrations.  I would hate to see my strongman athletes have to run!  

This is a United States Strongman sanctioned event. USS membership is required of all athletes. Membership can be purchased ONLY here: https://www.unitedstatesstrongman.com/uss-membership.

The competition is still using military equipment, still military-themed, and we have some exciting events planned in our 10th Annual Event. Please continue reading for specific event details and event weights. 

This year, we will be providing athlete names on the shirts if you register by Dec 31, 2026.  Please don't wake up on New Year's Day having forgotten to register!  One more time...DEADLINE for personalized shirt is Dec 31, 2026. 

THE 5 EVENTS WILL BE:

The 3 Leg Medley:  Individual events within the medley are TBD, but we are keeping the seabag carry since everyone seems to love it! 

Deadlift (Variation TBD):  Competitors will perform the deadlift as many times as possible in 60 seconds.  Athletes must wait for the down command.  There will not be an "up" command.  Pick it up, put it down, keep doing that.  Most reps win; points will be divided in the event of a tie.

TBD:  

Vehicle Pull:  Athletes order will be reverse order as determined by point totals of the first three events (highest total goes first).  Competitors will strap in, and pull for distance of 25 meters.  Military Vehicles will be used in this event.

The Atlas Stones:  Athletes order will be determined by point totals of the previous events (lowest points go first).  Competitors will go head to head in a race showing off strength and speed while lifting and setting 4 stones onto a platform.  Competitors will start behind the staged series of atlas stones.  Once given the command to go, the competitors will have 90 seconds to lift and set 4 stones onto their corresponding tower.  Only stones that have been property secured to their tower will count as completed; it is the athlete's responsibility to ensure the stone is secure on the podium.  Split times will be taken and used in the event of a tie.  If split times are tied (determined by the tenth of a second), lighter athlete wins.

The first three events will be completed in a round-robin format.  Starting event for age/weight class will be determined based on entrants and announced the morning of the competition.  After the round-robin, points will be tallied to determine athlete order for the Vehicle Pull.  Note: The Vehicle Pull athlete order will be highest points go first.  Points will be tallied again to determine athlete order for Atlas Stones.  The Atlas Stone athlete order will be the traditional lowest point total first.

Novice Class means you have not placed in a competition. If you entered a competition with 2 other people and you took third place, you still placed and are no longer considered a novice. If you need to move categories, please let us know.

Weight classes may be combined or divided based on number of athletes.  Decisions will be made Jan 29 after weigh-ins.

WEIGH IN DATE / TIME AND LOCATION:

Date: Friday, January 29, 2026

Time: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM 

Location: Cocopah Convention Center (15318 S. Avenue B, Somerton, AZ 85350).  The Convention Center is the building west of the casino.
 

Date: Saturday, January 30, 2027

Time: 6:30 AM to 8:00 AM 

Location: Cocopah Convention Center (15318 S. Avenue B, Somerton, AZ 85350). The Convention Center is the building west of the casino.

SEQUENCE OF EVENTS:

0900: Competition begins with the round-robin.

After completion of round-robin and 15 minute intermission, all athletes go to the Vehicle Pull (we will have 3 lanes operating at the same time).

After completion of the Vehicle Pull and just enough time to get points totals calculated and score cards printed, all athletes go to the Atlas Stones for head to head competition.  Expect the order to start with Novice Women and continue using the stones in progressing order (e.g. Masters Women LW will go before Open W MW).
 

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION:

An awards and recognition ceremony will take place once all scores have been counted by the judges and scorekeepers.

AUTHORIZED GEAR:

• Lifting belts, maximum of 4 inches.  (Soft belts over 4 inches upon approval)
• Knee Wraps / Sleeves
• Elbow Wraps / Sleeves
• Forearm Braces / Sleeves
• Wrist Wraps and Supports
• Grip Shirts (Atlas Stones Only)
• Tack (Atlas Stones Only)
• Gloves (Aircraft Pull Only)

PROHIBITED GEAR:

• Belts wider than 4 inches
• Deadlift Suits
• Squat Suits
• Bench Press Shirts
• Slingshot Gear
• Any form of gear designed to mimic the above-mentioned gear.

Stay tuned for further information!!!!