A competitor strains to pull the Catalina down the runway on Sept. 5. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

PORT CLINTON – Every day, people visit the Erie-Ottawa International Airport to fly or ride in an airplane. On Sept. 5, a group of men from around the world showed up for the Rally on the Runway to pull a plane. Some of the strongest men in the world traveled to the area to compete in a Strongman Champions League USA competition, a two-day event in Port Clinton and Sandusky that included the PBY Catalina Plane Pull.

A Strongman competitor pulls a PBY-6A Catalina during the Strongman Champions League USA competition at Erie-Ottawa International Airport on Sept. 5. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Men from 11 countries – including Iceland, Holland, Poland, and Sweden – pulled the historic WWII-era PBY-6A Catalina, one of Liberty Aviation Museum’s largest aircraft on display. Among them was Jason Frawley from right here in the U.S. Frawley has been weightlifting for 15 years and joined the Strongman league about five years ago.

Competitors from around the world traveled to Port Clinton for the Strongman Champions League USA competition on Sept. 5. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

“I had always been interested in Strongman competitions, and when a friend opened a Strongman gym, it opened the door for me to have the facility and equipment available,” he said.

Having the dedication to consistently exercise is difficult for many people, but prepping to compete against the strongest men in the world is another level of commitment. What drives Frawley to train hard?

A Strongman competitor pulls a Catalina during the Strongman Champions League USA competition in Port Clinton on Sept. 5. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

“These awesome events. You get to test your limits,” he said. “Where else can you go to have the opportunity to pull an airplane?”

Strongman competitors from around the world competed in Port Clinton and Sandusky on Sept. 5 and 6. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Competitor Marc Sanchez is an American from Colorado who represented the Philippines in the competition. On Saturday, he pulled the Catalina in front of a big, cheering crowd on an international airport near the shores of Lake Erie. He lifted a lot of weights to get there, but he was grateful to be a part of the competition.

Strongman competitors from around the world competed in Port Clinton and Sandusky on Sept. 5 and 6. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

“Look at this. I don’t know how to describe how great this is,” Sanchez said. “I feel like a rockstar on the weekends.”

Sanchez’s adventure started unexpected early last week. He said he and a few other competitors drove through a tornado on their way to Port Clinton from the Detroit airport. He was in the car with men he had never met, but they quickly became friends. That instant connection is common between Strongman competitors.

Competitors strain their entire bodies during the Strongman competitions. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

“It’s a brotherhood here. Everyone is super welcoming,” he said.

Sanchez has been competing in Strongman competitions for over three years, and he has had the opportunity to pull a lot of big things.

“But this plane is the coolest thing I’ve pulled,” he said.

Strongman Champions League Cofounder and Director, Marcel Mostert, interviews a competitor at the Erie-Ottawa International Airport on Sept. 5. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)