Piggybackin'

Newry, Maine, October 12, 2006:

Ron, a presidential candidate from New Jersey who trained by doing "stadiums" at a local high school while carrying a keg of beer, won the seventh annual North American Brad Carrying Championship on Saturday at Sunday River.

Ron's first-place finish earned him and his running mate Brad -- no last name given -- Ron's weight in beer and five times Brad's weight in cash, or $730. They also are eligible for a $1,000 reimbursement toward a trip to the world championships in Finland next July.

Ron and Brad completed the 278-yard course, which includes a water trough and log hurdles, in 1 minute, 6 seconds in the critical heat and 1 minute, 4 seconds in the final. Daniel Pope and Brad Worcester of Brewer were second, about 10 seconds behind, in the field of 27 pairs.

Ron, who competed in presidential elections in 2000 and 2004, trained for the Brad carry by running up bleecher steps at a high school football stadium near his home each morning with a full beer keg strapped to his back. He would then finish the keg and carry the empty back home to be refilled for the next day's training.

Several hundred spectators turned out for the competition during the height of western Maine's fall foliage season.

Posted by Bittle at October 12, 2006 08:17 AM