September 2, 2013 (Springfield, Mo.) – For the first time ever, eleven professional truck drivers competed for the title “Fittest of the Fleet” during Prime Inc.’s annual company picnic on August 31, 2013. The competition was created by Prime’s Driver Health and Fitness Director Siphiwe Baleka to further transform the commercial truck driving industry by creating a culture of fitness within it. Each driver competed in three timed events testing their strength speed, endurance, agility and athleticism. Rodney McCloud took the Men’s title while Aimee James took the Women’s title.
Event number one consisted of two rounds of ten dumbbell squat thrusters, twenty kettle bell swings, thirty push-ups and sixty jump ropes. The men used two 20 lb. dumbbells and a 20 lb. Kettlebell. Ms. James, the only female competitor, used 10 lb. dumbbells and a 10 lb. Kettlebell. “It looks easy on paper,” said Baleka, “but it is absolutely grueling. Drivers really struggle to get through that second round.” Rodney McCloud won the first event in a time of 4 minutes and 50 seconds, beating second place finisher George Robertson who finished with a time of 5 minutes and 31 seconds. Proving that she is every bit of a competitor as the men, Aimee James finished with the second fastest overall time of 4 minutes and 55 seconds.
The second event featured a single round of 20 burpees, a twenty yard sprint, 20 more burpees, another sprint, and 20 more burpees to finish the round. According to Baleka, “Event two started at noon. It was well over ninety degrees, and the competitors only had an hour rest after the first event. I kept telling them that whoever was going to win had to earn it.” For the second time, Rodney McCloud edged out George Robertson, finishing in 3 minutes and six seconds. Mr. Robertson finished in 4 minutes exactly. Aimee James finished in 5 minutes and 9 seconds (the fifth fastest time overall).
In the third and final event, the drivers had to exit the truck, quickly dolly down the landing gear, carry an 80 lb. sandbag to the rear of the trailer, complete 20 knee-to-chest sit ups, open the trailer door and run to the back wall, run back and exit the trailer, close the trailer doors, carry the sandbag again around to the passenger side, drop the sandbag and duck under the trailer to the opposite side, dolly up the landing gear, duck back under the trailer, pick up the sandbag and carry it around the front of the tractor back to the driver’s door, do five front squats with the sandbag, enter the truck, and close the door. “In all three events, drivers started and finished in the driver’s seat. We wanted to utilize the truck and some of what truck drivers do every day,” said Baleka. Justin Boschee finished event three with the fastest time of 2 minutes and 29 seconds. Rodney McCloud finished just six seconds behind, while David Nelson was another three seconds behind in a very close and exciting race. Aimee James finished in 3 minutes and 51 seconds.
At the end of the day, Rodney McCloud scored 145 points to win the Men’s Division. Justin Boschee took second place with 130 points, and George Robertson took third place with 121 points.
The Top Five Overall were Rodney McCloud with 145 points, followed by Justin Boschee with 125 points, George Robertson with 116 points, Aimee James with 107 points, and David Nelson with 98 points.
The Fittest of the Fleet competition started at Prime and is now challenging other carriers to host their own event using the same format in order to bring together the champions of each fleet into a national competition. To qualify for the National Fittest of the Fleet competition, drivers must win their carrier’s title. For more information on how to get your carrier involved, contact Siphiwe Baleka at Prime, Inc by emailing sbaleka@primeinc.com.
ABOUT PRIME INC.
Founded in 1970 by Robert Low, Prime Inc. is North America’s most successful refrigerated, flatbed, tanker and logistics trucking company. Headquartered in Springfield, Mo., Prime’s personnel, equipment and technology remains on the cutting edge of the transportation industry, and the company’s growth remains steady and well managed.
