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Allie Grace McGehee carries dumbells in the MDP Reach competition. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Ryleigh Merit boxes with Emily Moon of Balance Boxing Studio during the MDP Reach Fitness competition. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Rachel Lee and Allie Grace McGehee lift dumbells in the MDP Reach competition. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Rachel Lee carries dumbbells in the MDP Reach competition. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Julia Bray lifts raises the bar in the MDP Reach competition Saturday on the Natchez Bluff. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Theresa Stampley and Julia Bray carry kettle bells in the competition. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

MDP Reach fitness competiton organizer Fred Marsalis Jr. records with his phone while men compete in the event. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

Easton Thomas walks with his dad carrying dumbbells in the MDP Reach competition, which is scaled to all age groups and fitness levels. (Sabrina Robertson | The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — Contestants of MDP Fitness’s inaugural Open Fitness Competition on Saturday were showing off muscles as they carried heavy weights across the grass in the Natchez Bluff Park.

Events included thrusters with Olympic barbells; 160-meter sprints; devil presses with dumbbells; burpees, and the Farmer’s Carry using dumbbells or kettlebells with varying categories scaled to the age and fitness level of participants.

“She’s killing it,” organizer Fred Marsalis Jr. said, referring to Ally Grace McGehee, a cross-country athlete at Cathedral who also participated in Saturday’s activities.

The competition raises funds for the MDP Reach initiative, which aims to “educate people from all walks of life on the importance of overall health and wellness through fitness and nutritional guidance while advocating for the importance of prioritizing mental health,” Marsalis said.

The proceeds will help provide transportation to special needs adolescents to free fitness programs at the MDP Fitness gym on 204 D’evereux Drive. A gala starting at 8 p.m. at the Magnolia Bluffs Casino Hotel Ballroom supports scholarships to a senior at each of 9 area high schools including Cathedral, Natchez High School, Vidalia High School, Monterey High School, Ferriday High School, Concordia Parish Academy, Delta Charter School, Adams County Christian School and Jefferson County High School.

When asked if she did indeed “kill it,” McGehee said, “I guess I did.” She drained a bottle of water to soothe a burning throat she had after both sprinting and carrying weights across the bluff.

“I did 12 thrusters, ran over there and back, 10 devil’s presses, ran there and back, and then 10 burpees, ran there and back and did the farmer’s carry with 40 pounds.”

This Sunday, the event continues with the Sunday Funday Food and Cigar Festival on the Natchez Bluff, in which vendors, free events and activities for all age groups support overall health, mental health, education and fun.

Learn more about the weekend at mdpfitness.org.

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