Pikes Peak Celtic Festival Tickets Sold Online Only
June 16 - 18, 2023

Mining Museum

Western Museum of Mining & Industry, Colorado Springs, CO
2023-06-16 16:00:00
Buy Tickets
  • Festival Info
    • Festival Info
    • Entertainment & Sights
    • Schedule
    • Vendors
    • Food & Drink
  • Participate
    • Whiskey/Scotch Tasting
    • Clans & Societies
    • Piping & Drumming Competition
    • Highland Athletics Competition
    • Open Trad. Music Session
    • Volunteer
    • Become a Food or Merchandise Vendor
    • Entertainers
    • Sponsor Us
  • Join Email List
  • Contact
  • Cart
  • Festival Info
    • Festival Info
    • Entertainment & Sights
    • Schedule
    • Vendors
    • Food & Drink
  • Participate
    • Whiskey/Scotch Tasting
    • Clans & Societies
    • Piping & Drumming Competition
    • Highland Athletics Competition
    • Open Trad. Music Session
    • Volunteer
    • Become a Food or Merchandise Vendor
    • Entertainers
    • Sponsor Us
  • Join Email List
  • Contact
  • Cart
Highland Athletics

Highland Athletics

Join us to compete at the 2023 Pikes Peak Celtic Festival. This year’s festival celebrates its 9th anniversary in the beautiful shadow of the Rocky Mountains and America’s Mountain, Pikes Peak. Our field has seen several world records and is a beautiful high altitude competition!

REGISTRATION OPEN

ONLINE ATHLETICS REGISTRATION

Saturday
June 18, 2022
 
Super A's (IHGF)
 
Women A's (IHGF)
 
Men's A/B Combined
 
Women's Open
Sunday
June 19, 2022
 
Women's Masters
 
Women U150
 
Men's C (Novice Entries)
 
Men's Masters
 
Men's U200
  • The Clachneart or “Stone”
  • The 28 and 56 pound throw
  • The 56# Weight Toss
  • The Hammer
  • The Sheaf Toss
  • The Caber

The Clachneart or “Stone”

This ancient event is similar to the modern day shotput, using a stone approximately 16 to 28 pounds instead of a steel ball. The stone must be put from the front of the shoulder using one hand only. Each competitor is allowed a seven-and-a-half foot run-up to the toe-board or trig for the Open Stone. The Braemar style of stone puts allows no approach. The contestants are judged on the longest of the three tosses. If the athlete touches the top of the trig or the ground in front of it during his attempt, the toss not counted.

The 28 and 56 pound throw

Using metal weights with a chain or handle attached, the athletes are throwing for distance. The weight is thrown one-handed from behind the trig with a nine-foot run up allowed. Any style may be used but the most popular and efficient is to spin like a discus thrower. The contestants are judged on the longest of three tosses If the athlete touches the top of the trig or the ground in front of it during his attempt, the throw is not counted.

The 56# Weight Toss

The objective of this strength event is to toss the 56# weight with attached handle over a horizontal bar of variable height. The starting height of competition is the lowest agreed upon by the competitors. Using only one hand, each athlete is allowed three attempts to clear the bar at each height. If the weight touches the bar on its way over but doesn’t dislodge it, it remains a successful toss. All measurements are made from the ground to the top of the bar midway between the uprights. As the bar is raised, the field of athletes is reduced. This event continues until all competitors but one are eliminated.

The Hammer

The Scottish hammer, a round metal hammer head weighing 16# or 22# with a cane or PVC shaft, is thrown for distance. The athlete throws the hammer with his back to the trig and the throwing area. The competitors feet may not move until after he releases the hammer. Each athlete gets three throws with the hammer and is judged by his best distance. Touching the top of the trig or the ground in front of it renders the throw foul.

The Sheaf Toss

Using a pitchfork, the athletes hurl a 20# burlap bag stuffed with straw over a horizontal bar raised between two standards. Each competitor is given three chances to clear the bar. After all attempts, the bar is raised in one to two foot increments. The continually rising bar reduces the field as competition continues until all but one athlete are eliminated.

The Caber

The centerpiece of the modern Highland Games, the caber requires strength, balance and timing. The caber is a tapered log approximately 16-20 feet long and weighing 60# to 140# (These weights and measures vary at different games depending on the field of athletes and the terrain). The athlete hoists the caber and folds his hands under the end while cradling it against his shoulder. Gaining the balance of the upright caber, he will run briefly with it to gain momentum for the toss. Followed by field judges, the competitor heaves the caber up and over to ground its heavy end and let it fall forward. The field judge will ascribe a “score” to the toss. If the caber is “tumed” it will be scored with its landing position relative to the face of a giant clock. 12:00 being a perfect score. If the caber doesn’t tum over, it is scored by the degree it rose from the ground.

Sponsors