Date: Sep 1st 2021 - Nov 30th 2021

What it is

A gravel-filled 5-gallon bucket that must be carried for 1 mile. 75 pounds for males and 50 pounds for females.

Kids 13 and under should use a weight that is challenging for them.

Demands

Upper-back strength, grip strength, posterior-chain endurance, and glute strength.

The bucket carry is meant to be a grueling and tiring carry. It’s simple but not easy.

When

Signups start September 1st with the event to take place anytime between September 1st and November 30th. This gives you ample time to train and complete the virtual race. Registration closes on November 30th.

Cost

The Bucket Mile virtual race will cost $10 per person if you are in the US and Canada and $15 if you are located somewhere else.

Entry Fee includes shipping.

100% of the proceeds from this virtual race will benefit Washington Trails Association: Washington Trails Association mobilizes hikers and everyone who loves the outdoors to explore, steward and champion trails and public lands.

Participants will receive a sweet moral patch which will be shipped out shortly after registering.

Once registered and paid for the event, you can do the virtual race as many times as you like. No matter how many times you run the race, your best time will be shown.

How to carry the bucket

Different arm lengths will have different proper grips on the bucket. The one I like the best is the bear hug method that is taught in the Spartan Obstacle Course Specialist Course. The bucket is held high against the chest, arms wrapped around, one hand is grasping the other wrist. Squeeze in tight using your lats and back muscles. This keeps the bucket off your hip flexors and close to your center of gravity. This will allow you to move quicker and carry longer.

DO NOT carry the bucket up on the shoulder! This is a big mistake I see at the race. There is an artery that runs through the area that you don’t want to mess around with. Even though Spartan now allows the bucket to be on the shoulder, we still say don't do it!

When you have to put the bucket down. kneel and place the bucket on your quad and not the ground. This will save you from having to lift the bucket off the ground and using up more energy. Alternatively, if you can place the bucket on a park table or large rock, that works too!

Basic training

I like to have 1-to-2 days per week that have heavy carries in my workout. Or I do them after the main workout. I mix up the buckets with large sandbags that I can bear hug. Work your way up to 75-pounds for the mile carry. Start light go long distances. Then add weight and reduce the distance over time. (Watch the SGX video for ideas on gym exercises you can do as well).

(i.e. 50 pounds  for 400 meters versus 100-pound carries for 10-meters x time rounds.)

Additional tips

Use gloves. Gloves are beneficial if you hold the bucket at the bottom. The buckets have a small ridge under that digs into your hands. Not to mention that it just hurts. The gloves will protect you from this.

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