Steinstossen
Swiss variant of stone put, practiced since prehistoric times.
Steinstossen—literally "stone throwing"—is the Swiss version of the stone put, where competitors heave a heavy stone overhead with both arms, aiming for maximum distance. The practice dates back to prehistoric times among Alpine communities, with a recorded event in Basel during the 13th century. By the 15th century, it was frequently held alongside the Schützenfeste of the Old Swiss Confederacy. This traditional throw is also the centerpiece of the Unspunnenfest, a festival launched in 1805 near the ruins of Unspunnen Castle in Interlaken, in the Bernese Alps, which has been held at irregular intervals since its inception.
A key event at the festival is the Unspunnen stone throw. Contestants start on a 6.1-meter runway and hurl an 83.5-kilogram stone into a sand pit 100 millimeters deep. The stone itself is carved from Aare granite sourced from the Grimsel area.
The all-time record for the 83.5-kilogram stone stands at 4.16 meters, set by Urs Hutmacher at the 2019 Eidgenössischen Schwing und Älplerfest in Zug. That throw surpassed Markus Maire’s 4.11-meter mark from the 2004 edition of the same festival. For the Unspunnen event specifically, Hutmacher also holds the record at 3.98 meters, achieved at the 2023 Unspunnenschwinget in Interlaken, beating Maire’s 3.89-meter throw from 2006.
Internationally, Germany adopted a similar stone-throwing discipline in the 19th century, using a 15-kilogram iron block. In the United States, the Ohio Swiss Festival in Sugarcreek has run the longest continuous competition, held annually since 1956. Men there throw a 61.25-kilogram stone from a 6.1-meter runway into a 100-millimeter-deep sand pit. The record stood for 21 years with Jud Logan of North Canton, Ohio, at 4.37 meters, until Beaux Lenarz broke it in 2005 with a 4.42-meter throw. Women compete with a 34-kilogram stone; the record is held by Roberta Collins of Sandusky at 3.87 meters.
The German-American Festival in Toledo started its Steinstossen competition in 1989, with events scheduled for two hours on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Kevin Marx of Toledo set the men’s record in 2009 at 4.66 meters. Although the stone weighs the same as at the Ohio Swiss Festival, the rock itself is different, so the results are not directly comparable. The women’s record there is 3.94 meters, set by Becky Ball of Marblehead in 2007.
- Field
- Traditional strength sport
- Nationality
- Swiss
- Known for
- Throwing a heavy stone overhead for distance; central to Unspunnenfest
Lore & Background
Steinstossen has deep roots in alpine culture, with records of its practice in Basel as early as the 13th century. During the 15th century, it was frequently recorded alongside the Schützenfeste of the Old Swiss Confederacy, indicating its integration into communal festivities. The event gained further prominence with the Unspunnenfest, inaugurated in 1805 in Interlaken, where the Unspunnen stone throw is a main highlight. Contestants begin on a 6.1-metre runway, hurling an 83.5 kg stone carved from Aare granite of the Grimsel area into a 4-inch-deep sand pit.
Reader's Guide
Steinstossen represents a living link to prehistoric alpine traditions, evolving from a local practice to a featured event at festivals like the Unspunnenfest. Its significance extends beyond Switzerland, as it was introduced as a track-and-field discipline in Germany in 1860, where the stone was replaced by a 15 kg block of iron. In the United States, the Ohio Swiss Festival in Sugarcreek has hosted the longest running competition since 1956, with men throwing a 61.25 kg stone and women a 34 kg stone. The event also appears selectively at the Arnold Strongman Classic, using replicas of the Unspunnen stone. World records are tracked separately for the all-time and Unspunnen categories, with Urs Hutmacher holding both as of 2025 and 2023 respectively. The sport's endurance across centuries and continents underscores its cultural and athletic importance.
Did You Know?
- The Unspunnen stone weighs 83.5 kg and is carved from Aare granite sourced from the Grimsel area.
- Urs Hutmacher holds the all-time record of 4.16 metres, set at the 2019 Eidgenössischen Schwing und Älplerfest in Zug.
- A similar stone-throwing discipline emerged in Germany in the 19th century, using a 15 kg iron block.
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