The lifts will be based off of the DOTS score.

DOTS is a scoring system that makes powerlifting fair for everyone, regardless of how much you weigh. Think of it like a golf handicap – it levels the playing field so a 120-pound person can compete fairly against a 220-pound person.

THE BASIC IDEA: Instead of just looking at how much weight you lifted, DOTS calculates how impressive that lift is for your body weight. A 150-pound person benching 200 pounds is actually more impressive than a 200-pound person benching the same 200 pounds. DOTS means you're not competing against someone else's genetics or body size – you're competing against the best possible version of yourself at your body weight. It's the most fair way to compare strength across different people, which is exactly what we need for an inclusive event like Push Pull 5K.

The 5k will be based off of 28 minute time cap.

The 5K uses a 28-minute cap scoring system designed to reward speed while keeping the event inclusive for all fitness levels. Here's how it works: anyone finishing at 28:00 or slower receives the same baseline score of zero points – but this isn't a penalty, it's participation credit. Finish faster than 28:00, and you earn points based on how much time you save. The formula is simple: ((28:00 - Your Time) ÷ 28:00) × 100 = your score. This means a 25-minute runner earns 10.7 points, a 20-minute runner gets 28.6 points, and a 16-minute elite runner scores 42.9 points.

OVERALL SCORING: HOW WE CROWN OUR WINNERS

THE COMPLETE ATHLETE FORMULA

Your Push Pull 5K winners will be determined by combining all three components into one total score that truly measures complete athleticism. Here's how we bring it all together:

TOTAL SCORE = Bench Press DOTS + Deadlift DOTS + (5K Score × 10)

WHY THIS FORMULA WORKS

BALANCED IMPACT: Each component contributes roughly equally to your final score. DOTS scores typically range from 200-500 points per lift, while our 5K scoring (multiplied by 10) provides 0-430 points. This means you can't ignore any single component – you need well-rounded fitness to win.

FAIR COMPETITION: DOTS scoring ensures that a 130-pound athlete can compete head-to-head with a 230-pound athlete based on strength relative to body weight. The 28-minute cap ensures that recreational runners aren't eliminated while still rewarding cardiovascular excellence. Together, they create a level playing field where technique, training, and complete fitness matter more than genetics or specialization.

REAL CHAMPIONS: This scoring system will crown athletes who embody the true spirit of the Push Pull 5K – those who've developed strength AND endurance, who've pushed beyond their comfort zones, and who represent what it means to be a complete athlete. Your winner won't just be the strongest person or the fastest runner – they'll be the most well-rounded competitor who excelled across all dimensions of fitness.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Whether you're a powerlifter who trained their first 5K or a runner who learned to deadlift, every point matters. The athlete who commits to developing complete fitness – who embraces both the iron and the asphalt – will stand atop our podium as Philadelphia's first-ever Push Pull 5K champion.