Milton Keynes, UK – 23 September 2025 – The annual Farmers Weekly ‘Britain’s Fittest Farmer’ competition returned with a spectacular finale this year, showcasing not only the physical prowess but also the mental resilience of the UK’s farming community. Sponsored by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, the event highlighted the importance of wellbeing in an industry that demands endurance, grit, and relentless dedication.
This year’s grand finale took place at Jeremy Clarkson’s The Farmer’s Dog in Chipping Norton, a fitting backdrop for a contest designed to test strength, speed, and determination. Competitors faced an array of punishing challenges, including the inaugural ‘Amarok pull’ and a formidable assault course, pushing participants to their limits while keeping spirits high.
Judging the contest was last year’s under-40s category winner, arable farmer William Arden, who brought a competitor’s insight to the process. After intense rounds of competition, the 2025 category champions were announced:
- Emily Meakin – Women under 40
- Ben Squibb – Men under 40
- Anne Grindal – Women over 40
- Richard Storr – Men over 40
Since its inception in 2018, the Britain’s Fittest Farmer contest has celebrated the nation’s farming community, combining athletic competition with an emphasis on physical and mental wellbeing. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, a proud sponsor for the third consecutive year, has played a central role in promoting this ethos, recognising the dedication required in modern farming life.
Laura Bignall, Brand and Performance Marketing Manager at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, commented: “We’re immensely proud to sponsor such a great event, which celebrates strength, resilience and community, while helping to bring into focus the importance of physical and mental wellbeing, especially for those working in an industry as demanding as farming.”
Attendees of the event also experienced first-hand the capabilities of the Volkswagen Amarok, the brand’s versatile pick-up truck engineered for rural work and recreational pursuits. With its robust design, advanced driver safety technologies, and 3.5-tonne towing capacity, the Amarok embodies the perfect balance of strength and reliability that mirrors the determination of Britain’s farming heroes.
As the farming community faces increasing pressures from workload and environmental challenges, events like Britain’s Fittest Farmer serve as a timely reminder that health and resilience remain at the heart of rural life. For the winners and participants alike, the competition represents not just a test of strength, but a celebration of the enduring spirit that drives the UK’s agricultural industry forward.
