By Calvin Hobson

Lifting cars and logs are only two tests of strength students will endure tomorrow and Thursday on campus as they participate in a promotional event for the “Strongest Man on Campus” competition.

UK Campus Recreation and IMG, the corporation that sponsors the “World’s Strongest Man” competition, are sponsoring the event, which will take place at the Pieratt Student Recreation Fields behind the Johnson Center.

IMG will shoot a promotional video while at UK and take the new competition to other universities across the nation in the spring.

“This is the first time that the strongest man competition has been held on a college campus,” said Beth Atnip, fitness director at the Johnson Center. “So, I really want people to come out and support the University of Kentucky.”

Students interested in competing can try out tomorrow from noon to 5 p.m. Tryouts include performing bench presses and dead lifts. The top eight to 10 contestants will move on to the final round, which is Thursday at 3 p.m.

Finalists will compete in four events: the farmer’s walk, the car dead lift, the loading race and the log clean press. The winner of the competition will receive an automatic trip to the finals when the competition returns to UK in the spring to name an official winner.

UK’s “Strongest Man on Campus” will move on with individual winners from other universities to a regional competition. Regional winners will compete in a national competition, and the national winner will compete in China for the world competition.

People are encouraged to come out and watch as the events take place, Atnip said. Spectators can enjoy free food on Thursday during the finals.

Camille Bailey, an undecided sophomore, said she was excited the event is coming to campus.

“I am really looking forward to the competition, because I’ve always loved to watch the ‘World’s Strongest Man’ on television,” Bailey said.

Students wishing to compete should visit the event Web site, (www.strongestmanoncampus.com). For any additional questions, e-mail [email protected] or Atnip at [email protected].

“People should come out and support their fellow students because this is definitely the real deal,” Atnip said