Britain’s Fittest Farmer 2026: Returnees chase title again

Entries are open for Britain’s Fittest Farmer 2026, with qualifying heats scheduled for June at the Lincolnshire Show and the Cereals event at Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm.

The annual competition, launched by Farmers Weekly in 2018, combines demanding physical challenges with an emphasis on mental resilience, aiming to encourage conversations about health and wellbeing within the agricultural sector.

Alongside physical tests, competitors are also assessed on their ability to act as ambassadors for health and wellbeing across agriculture.

See also: Britain’s Fittest Farmer 2025: Winners revealed

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Among those returning to compete in 2026 is Sam Gayton, who took part in the over-40s category last year.

Sam works for a farm animal veterinary practice in south-west England and says farming has been part of his life since childhood.

“I was born on a farm, and farming is in my blood. I am the commercial director for the farm practice,” he says.

Reflecting on the previous competition, he says the challenges proved more demanding than expected.

“I trained a lot for it, but it was harder than I thought. I am 52 this year and in the over 40s category. I was a bit older than some, and the weights were quite heavy. I really enjoyed it. I loved it.”

Sam Gayton © Sam Gayton

Truck pull challenge

Sam reached the qualifier at the Royal Welsh Show and says one of his strongest events was the truck pull.

“I did very well in the truck pull, so that was great. Someone told me to take some jelly babies, and that was such helpful advice to get some sugar in me!” he says.

He decided to enter again after finding the competition provided motivation to maintain his training throughout the year.

“It has given me the motivation to keep training during the year. One of my colleagues is going to do it this year, which gave me motivation,” he explains. “I saw it was at Cereals and at Diddly Squat, so I thought that would be fun.”

Sam says maintaining fitness is particularly important given the office-based aspects of his role.

“I have quite an office job, so I am in the gym five times a week. I like to keep active. For mental health, training gives a good sense of balance.

“Keeping physically fit means you can keep mentally fit. Keeping active helps with the balance of the stress of life.”

In preparation for the competition, he has been recreating potential challenges during his training.

“Last year, I took it quite seriously with some personal training and borrowed a beer keg from the local pub and filled it with water to mimic one of the challenges. I think I will do the same this year.”

The experience he gained from taking part in the competition last year with help this time round, he adds.

“I know what to expect this year, which definitely helps. I will go a bit slower this time and do as well as I can. I am excited by it again.”

Sam is also planning to raise funds through his participation for the Farming Community Network (FCN), a charity that supports farmers and people living in rural communities.

Cornishman returns

Another returning competitor is Mark Denton, who farms dairy and beef cattle in Cornwall.

Mark reached the final of the competition last year and says the experience was unlike any other sporting event he had previously entered.

“The qualifier was really nice, and the final at Diddly was a good location. It was a really great day; it would have been nice to get on the podium, hopefully this year I can, but there are some really strong athletes,” he says.

Mark Denton © Mark Denton

He adds that meeting other farmers taking part had been a significant part of the experience. “I met a lot of new people, which was great, and I hope to do the same this year.”

Mark says his decision to enter again was driven by a desire to improve on last year’s performance.

“I would like to do better than last year, like every competitive person.” He says the competition provides farmers with a clear goal outside of their day-to-day work.

“It gives you something to work towards, which is a good thing in farming. It gives you a hobby and makes you accountable for your own fitness.”

Mark says maintaining physical activity and a healthy lifestyle plays an important role in overall wellbeing.

“If you keep exercising and have a good diet, then it makes you a fit and healthy person. I have lost people close to me, but you have to keep eating well, exercising and keeping yourself on the straight and narrow.”

He also highlighted the importance of discussing mental health within the farming community. “It’s good to talk about mental health and keep active. It’s good to talk about how you are feeling.”

To prepare for the 2026 competition, Mark has continued his training alongside his farm work.

“I am a member of a CrossFit gym, and I continue working hard; my job is very physical, so that alone is enough. I’m not a full-time athlete, but I’ll do my best, and I look forward to competing against like-minded farmers.”