The best test their strength

It’s a competition that tests your inner and outer strength.

The Tydax Fitness Okanagan Valley Throwdown is taking place at the South Okanagan Events Centre this weekend.

More than 300 athletes from around Canada and parts of the United States are in town for the Crossfit-style event.

And they’re working hard.

"It tests our strength, our endurance, our gymnastic skills, conditioning, stamina, a bunch of things," Vernon-based Crossfit athlete Rebecca Stoddart said.

Stoddart is taking part for her fourth year at the Throwdown, and said the event has become much more competitive as the sport continues to grow.

"You train in your local gym and you think you're doing pretty good, and then you come here and you see how good everybody's doing... Everybody steps up their game every year."

Athletes can compete individually or in teams at the Throwdown.

Co-founder Mike Hill said the style of the competition brings camaraderie for all the athletes who take part.

"The energy and the atmosphere that this functional fitness - Crossfit community brings, it can't be beaten. It's all about community and encouraging each other."

Since it began in Penticton five years ago, the Throwdown now has expanded to host an annual event in the Fraser Valley.

And Hill said it could be grown further in the future, as invitations for the Throwdown have come from as far as Ontario.

"Getting invitations from other regions that hear about what we're doing here, inviting us to bring the competition to their town and their stadium, it's neat... Rather than you begging to go and play with them, they want you to come and play," he said.

"We'd love to take them all on, but we need to walk before we can run. We want to grow the right way and at the right pace."

Spectators can watch from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday on the second day of the competition. Admission is $8 dollars.