By Star Chang, posted Oct 9, 2012 at 10:57 PM, 1,530 views,

Chinese Competitors Carry Live Pigs in ‘Hercules’ Race (Video)

Pig-carrying is one of the third National Fitness Festival introduced to boost exercise in the Hunan province of China. A competitor will carry two pigs in the ‘Hercules’ challenge race. Carrying more than 98 pounds of squealing live pig in each hand, the competitors had to bring home the bacon in the fastest possible time. The would-be strongest man has to carry the pigs 32 yards, along with other tasks. Some of the competitors effortlessly lifted the pigs across the finish line …

The pig-lugging is just one element of the National Fitness Festival, which was launched in 2009 to promote exercise in the region. It is now in its third year and includes a range of sporting activities. Ten teams took part in this year’s event, with 300-plus enthusiasts ranging in age from four to 60 years-old. China is the world’s biggest pork market, importing some 800,000 tonnes a year, hence the competition is getting it involved in order to create some hype. Poor piggies, there is no need for this kind of cruelty. If you want to become Hercules, why not pull a big lorry or car instead ?

SOURCE: photo.chinanews.com