THE ANNUAL MIDWEST
HIGHLAND GAMES CHAMPIONSHIP

Competing on the

Clara Elizabeth Robertson
Memorial Athletic Field

The Scottish Highland Games or Heavy Athletics are the modern continuation of an ancient Celtic tradition. Each event tests the athletes strength and skill. It may seem that the sport requires brute strength alone, but developing good technique is essential to succeeding in the games.

Each athlete wears a kilt and Scottish hose, yes, real men do wear kilts! If you have any doubts, just show up at the games.

Athletic competitions originally were held between neighboring clans. During the reign of King Malcolm Canmore (1058-1093 AD), clan chiefs would hold competitions to pick the strongest men as body guards and the swiftest to be couriers.

Annual Midwest Highland Games Championship

This year the Columbus Scottish Festival is proud to host the Annual Midwest Highland Games Championship.

Participation in the competition will be by invitation only. Athletes wishing to compete should contact Lannie Pullon (e-mail: lanniepullon@yahoo.com). All invitations will be confirmed no later than August 1, 2010. There will be an entry fee of $30 for all competitors. The fee includes a gate pass, water all day, and lunch.

The competition will be for both amateur and professional athletes. The contest events will be the following:

• Open Stone Throw
• 28 lb Weight Throw for Distance
• 56 lb Weight Throw for Distance
• Heavy Hammer
• Caber
• Sheaf Toss
• 56 lb Weight Throw for Height

There will be multiple competitive classes with 6 to 15 athletes in each class except the Pro Class. There will be 4 to 5 athletes in the Pro Class.

2009 Competition

The first Annual Midwest Championship was held at the 2009 Columbus Scottish Festival. Forty-one athletes participated in the competition. There were 23 Games records Set or Broken.

Columbus Games Records