Spartan Race

Last updated

Spartan Race
Company typePrivate
Industry Obstacle Course Racing
Founded2007
Founder Joe De Sena
Headquarters
United States  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Website Official website
Footnotes /references
[1]

Spartan Race is a series of obstacle races of varying difficulty, ranging from 3 miles to ultra-marathon distances of 50k+.

Contents

These races are held in the United States and have been franchised to 30 countries, including Canada, South Korea, Australia, the Philippines and several European countries. [2] [3] The series include the Spartan Sprint, the Spartan Super, the Spartan Beast, and the Spartan Ultra. Spartan Race has a military series that is hosted on military bases. In addition, unique events include winter races and team competitions. [4]

History

Spartan Race began as a spin-off of the "Death Race", a 48-hour endurance event founded in 2007. Spartan was founded by Joe De Sena, [1] who intended for it to be a more manageable endurance race for a wider audience. The first Spartan Race event was held in 2010 at the Catamount Outdoor Center in Williston, Vermont and represented the city of Burlington, Vermont. Roughly 500 competitors had to "run, crawl, jump and swim" and overcome a variety of obstacles. [5] All finishers received a medal, and prizes were awarded to the top athletes.

In 2012 Raptor Consumer Partners invested in the Spartan Race company. [6] In 2013 Reebok had become the event title sponsor, and the races were renamed the "Reebok Spartan Race Series". [7] On December 7, 2013, Universal Sports broadcast a special on the 2013 Spartan Race World Championships. [8] In August 2015, parent network NBC then approved a Spartan-based television series, Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge , led by the producers of fellow NBC series American Ninja Warrior . [9] Later in 2015, Spartan Race founded the "Spartan Agoge" which is described as a "60 hour physical, tactical, mental and team based training and testing" event, to be held in Vermont twice a year. [10] ESPN describes the Spartan Race as "a true test of will." [11]

Spartan Race acquired Tough Mudder, which had been forced into involuntary bankruptcy proceedings, in February 2020. It purchased Tough Mudder assets for $700,000 and the assumption of debts, including honoring prepaid tickets, which was approved by the bankruptcy court for the District of Delaware. [12] Tough Mudder is expected to continue its races, and the 2020 season starts on April 17 in North London. [13]

Obstacle race

Spartan Race competitor Spartan Race 140503-A-WT847-003.jpg
Spartan Race competitor

Spartan Race's main events include the Spartan Sprint (3+ miles of obstacle racing, 20+ obstacles), the Spartan Super (6+ miles, 25+ obstacles), the Spartan Beast (13+ miles, 30+ obstacles), and the Spartan Ultra (30+ miles, 60+ obstacles). [14] The obstacles themselves also vary from race to race. Frequently presented obstacles can include a fire jump, climbing under barbed wire, wall climbing, mud crawling, [15] the "over-under-through" (a series of obstacles in which runners must first climb over a wall, then under a wall, then through a square hole placed in a wall), [16] spear throw, rope climb, [17] heavy object carries, [18] "Herculean Hoist", [19] "Tyrolean traverse", monkey bars, [20] Traversal Wall (similar to a bouldering wall), Hobie Hop (a thick rubber band is placed around the ankles and participants hop through consecutive tires), Slip Wall (a wall built at an incline, roughly covered in grease), a zig-zag log jump, steep mud climbs (rolling mud), tractor pulls, underwater submerging below walls (dunk walls), Atlas carries, tire flips, stump balances (skipping on stumps across a pond), rope swing, [21] and the now discontinued Gladiator Arena. [22]

Failure to fully complete any obstacles results in a 30-Burpee penalty (or in some cases, a penalty loop) that runners must complete before continuing their race. [23] A participant can obtain a Trifecta medal after completing a Spartan Sprint (or Spartan Stadion), a Spartan Super, and a Spartan Beast in one calendar year. [14] As of the 2016 season, the finisher medal includes both the traditional circular medal and a wedge – one-third of a larger Trifecta medal. [24] Each Spartan event also provides races for children ages 4 to 13: half-mile races for ages 4–8, and one mile races for those older than 8. [25]

The Spartan World Championships are held annually, and to qualify for the event, men and women must finish top 5 in a U.S. Championship Series event or a Regional Championship in their respective category. [26]

Spartan World Champions [27]

EventName
2012 Men'sCody Moat (USA)
2012 Women'sClaude Godbout (Canada) [28]
2013 Men's Hobie Call (USA) [29]
2013 Women'sAmelia Boone (USA)
2014 Men's Jonathan Albon (UK) [28]
2014 Women'sClaude Godbout (Canada) [28]
2015 Men'sRobert Killian (USA)
2015 Women's Zuzana Kocumova (Czech)
2016 Men's Hobie Call (USA) [30]
2016 Women's Zuzana Kocumova (Czech)
2017 Men'sCody Moat (USA) [31]
2017 Women'sLindsay Webster (Canada)
2017 TeamUSA
2018 Men's Jonathan Albon (UK)
2018 Women'sLindsay Webster (Canada)
2018 Men's TeamCanada
2018 Women's TeamCanada
2019 Men'sRobert Killian (USA)
2019 Women'sNicole Mericle (USA)
2021 Men'sRyan Atkins (Canada)
2021 Women'sLindsay Webster (Canada)

The 2017 Ultra World Championships were held in Iceland on Dec 14-Dec 17. [32]

Spartan Ultra World Champions
EventName
2017 Men'sJoshua Fiore (USA)
2018 Women'sMorgan McKay (CAN)
2018 Men'sRyan Atkins (CAN)
2018 Women'sJanka Pepova (SVK)
2019 Men'sRyan Atkins (CAN)
2019 Women'sRea Kolbl (Slovenia)


Spartan Trifecta World Championship
EventName
2018 Men's Jonathan Albon (UK)
2018 Women's Zuzana Kocumova (Czech)
2019 Men's Richard Hynek (Czech)
2019 Women's Nicole Mericle (USA)
Spartan Kids World Championship [33]
EventName
2018 BoysTyson Brinkerhoff (USA)
2018 GirlsAvery Steyn (CAN)

The first Spartan Gym was opened in 2016, in the 1 Hotel in Miami. [34] [35] Additionally, Spartan Strong is a group fitness class offered exclusively at Life Time Fitness. [36]

Event Types

Race Events

Spartan Sprint

The Sprint combines relatively easy trail running with 20 obstacles, held on off-road terrain featuring water and mud along a 5-kilometer course, and is considered a short-distance race. [37]

The Spartan Sprint is the first part of the Spartan Trifecta achievement, where participants are encouraged to complete 3 races, earning them The Ultimate Spartan Achievement. [38]

Spartan Super

The Spartan Super has 25 to 30 obstacles along 6-8 miles (generally a 10k) of rugged terrain, and is considered a middle-distance race.

The Spartan Super is known to be significantly more difficult than the Spartan Sprint.

Spartan Beast

The Spartan Beast features 30 to 35 obstacles along 12 to 14 miles of rugged terrain.

The Spartan Beast is known to be the most difficult Spartan Race in terms of completing the trifecta; some participants can't finish and are marked as DNF. [39]

Spartan Ultra

The Spartan Ultra features 60+ obstacles along 31+ miles of rugged terrain.

Spartan Kids Race

The Spartan Kids Race was created for boys and girls ages 4 to 13 to encourage exercising. The Kids Race is segmented into 3 different age groups:

  1. Ages 4–6: ½ Mile with Obstacles
  2. Ages 7-9: 1 Mile with Obstacles
  3. Ages 10–13: 2 Mile with Obstacles
  4. Ages 11–14: In select cities only, a 5 Mile Course with Obstacles

Spartan Trail

Spartan Trail is a trail running race that takes place in the wilderness with no obstacles. Races can be either a 10K or a half-marathon.

Series

Honor

The Honor Series made its debut in 2016. The races occur on military bases throughout the country and are open to current military, veterans, and the general public. The course runs from 4–5 miles and contains obstacles similar to the other races. [40]

Stadium (Stadion)

These events are typically three-mile sprint-style races with more than 15 obstacles, and are held at baseball and football stadiums across the United States. [41] The name Stadion (running race) (or stade, Ancient Greek: στάδιον) is drawn from an ancient running event, part of the Ancient Olympic Games and the other Panhellenic Games.

Some of the stadium-themed obstacles include:

  • The Batting Order: A series of obstacles and exercises to be completed quickly.
  • Foul Ball: The participant is to carry a sandbag a specific distance across the field.
  • Seventh Inning Stretch: The participant must run up and down stairs in the stadium, and then must rope climb afterwards. [41]

Global Championship Series

The annual Spartan Global Championship Series unfolds across more than 40 countries on the road to the Spartan World Championship. The series sees competitors facing off on the course, battling signature Spartan obstacles on varying terrains and natural conditions. [42]

Format: 14 National Series around the world lead into stand-alone championship events in five regions paving the road to the Spartan World Championship. Elite and Age Group competitors must qualify for Regional Championships and the World Championship. [43] [44]

Endurance Events

Ultra

A hybrid of race and endurance events, the Ultra covers 30+ miles of terrain and features close to 70 obstacles. The Ultra is the only Spartan event featuring strict time cutoffs that must be met; competitors are warned that not all who sign up will finish.

Competitors are encouraged to bring ‘Transition Containers’ to supply the participant with food and water at the halfway point of the race due to the general tenacity of the course. [45]

Hurricane Heat (4-8, 12-, and 24-hour)

The Hurricane Heat Endurance Event was created in August 2011 due to the cancellation of a prior Spartan Race caused by Hurricane Irene. In the Hurricane Heat, the goal is for the competitors’ teams to reach the finish line; individual times are not applicable. The Hurricane Heat is composed of 4–8, 12, and 24 hour courses. Each Hurricane Heat event is unique to the others in terms of obstacles and location. [46]

Agoge

Spartan Race brings a fully immersive training program that balances class time with hands-on practical application of those skills and lessons. The Spartan Agoge is held on The Farm in Pittsfield, Vermont, twice a year in the summer and winter—and in historic locations across the globe including Iceland, Mongolia, Isle of Skye in Scotland, and along the Great Wall of China.

Media

“Spartan on NBC Sports” is a five-race U.S. Championship series that airs on NBC Sports Network and regional Comcast Sports Network stations while the World Championship is broadcast on NBC. The 2017 Spartan World Championship was December 24, 2017. [47]

In 2016, Spartan launched an editorial website, Spartan Life, which features fitness, nutrition, and lifestyle content.

In 2018, Spartan launched a series: “Spartan: The Championship Series,“ on ESPN and ESPN 2, which is a five-episode series, and features all the action from Spartan's championship events. [48]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sled dog racing</span> Sport

Sled dog racing is a winter dog sport most popular in the Arctic regions of the United States, Canada, Russia, Greenland and some European countries. It involves the timed competition of teams of sled dogs that pull a sled with the dog driver or musher standing on the runners. The team completing the marked course in the least time is judged the winner.

Motorsport(s) or motor sport(s) are sporting events, competitions and related activities that primarily involve the use of automobiles, motorcycles, motorboats and powered aircraft. For each of these vehicle types, the more specific terms automobile sport, motorcycle sport, power boating and air sports may be used commonly, or officially by organisers and governing bodies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ultramarathon</span> Footrace longer than the marathon

An ultramarathon, also called ultra distance or ultra running, is a footrace longer than the traditional marathon length of 42.195 kilometres. Various distances, surfaces, and formats are raced competitively, from the shortest common ultramarathon of 31 miles (50 km) and up to 3100 miles. World Championships are held by the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) for 50 km, 100 km, 24 hours, and ultra trail running. The Global Organization of Multi-Day Ultramarathoners (GOMU) holds World Championships for 48 hours and 6 days. World Records are ratified and recognized by World Athletics, the IAU, and by GOMU.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adventure racing</span> Multi-disciplinary team sport

Adventure racing is typically a multidisciplinary team sport involving navigation over an unmarked wilderness course with races extending anywhere from two hours up to two weeks in length. Some races offer solo competitions as well. The principal disciplines in adventure racing include trekking, mountain biking, and paddling although races can incorporate a multitude of other disciplines including climbing, abseiling, horse riding, skiing and white water rafting. Teams generally vary in gender and in size from two to five competitors, however, the main format is considered to be mixed-gender teams of four racers. There is typically no suspension of the clock during races, irrespective of length; elapsed competition time runs concurrently with real-time, and competitors must choose if or when to rest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Endurance racing (motorsport)</span> Motorsport over long distances and time periods

Endurance racing is a form of motorsport racing which is meant to test the durability of equipment and endurance of participants. Teams of multiple drivers attempt to cover a large distance in a single event, with participants given a break with the ability to change during the race. Endurance races can be run either to cover a set distance in laps as quickly as possible, or to cover as much distance as possible over a preset amount of time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trail running</span> Mountain sport

Trail running is a type of running that takes place on outdoor trails, often in mountainous terrain, and often includes significant ascents and descents. Trail running is overseen by the International Trail Running Association (ITRA) and includes longer races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyclo-cross</span> Form of bicycle racing

Cyclo-cross is a form of bicycle racing. Races typically take place in the autumn and winter, and consist of many laps of a short course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles requiring the rider to quickly dismount, carry the bike while navigating the obstruction and remount. Races for senior categories are generally between 40 minutes and an hour long, with the distance varying depending on the ground conditions. The sport is strongest in the traditional road cycling countries such as Belgium, France and the Netherlands.

The World Karting Association, or WKA, is the largest sanctioning body for kart racing in North America. The WKA was founded in 1971 and is located directly behind Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. The WKA is believed to currently have approximately 5,000 members. Over 50,000 people have been WKA members since the organization's inception in 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mountain bike racing</span> Competitive cycle sport discipline

Mountain bike racing is the competitive cycle sport discipline of mountain biking held on off-road terrain. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) recognised the discipline relatively late in 1990, when it sanctioned the world championships in Durango, Colorado. The first UCI Mountain Bike World Cup series took place in 1988. Its nine-race circuit covered two continents—Europe and North America—and was sponsored by Grundig. Cross-country racing was the only World Cup sport at this time. In 1993, a six-event downhill World Cup was introduced. In 1996, cross-country mountain biking events were added to the Olympic Games. In 2006, cross-country mountain biking events became part of the World Deaf Cycling Championships for the first time in San Francisco, USA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motorcycle racing</span> Racing sport using motorcycles

The motorcycle sport of racing includes motorcycle road racing and off-road racing, both either on circuits or open courses, and track racing. Other categories include hill climbs, drag racing and land speed record trials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indianapolis Motor Speedway race results</span>

Race results from the automobile and motorcycle races contested at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. Races have been held on seven different track configurations:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tough Mudder</span> Althletic endurance event series

Tough Mudder is an endurance event series in which participants attempt 10-to-12-mile-long obstacle courses. It was co-founded by Will Dean and Guy Livingstone. The obstacles often play on common human fears, such as fire, water, electricity and heights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RacingThePlanet</span> Company

RacingThePlanet (RTP) is an organizer of off-trail and rough-country endurance foot-races, including the 4 Deserts. The company also operates an outdoor products store and a dried foods company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hobie Call</span> American obstacle course racer

Holbrook "Hobie" Call is an American former competitive runner and elite obstacle course racer. Call is a multiple-time winner of the Spartan Race, an obstacle race with challenges similar to those found in the television program American Gladiators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obstacle course racing</span> Sports discipline

Obstacle course racing (OCR) is a sport in which a competitor, traveling on foot, must overcome various physical challenges in the form of obstacles. Races vary in length from courses with obstacles close together to events of several kilometers which incorporate elements of track, road and/or cross country/trail running. Courses may include climbing over walls or up ropes, monkey bars, carrying heavy objects, traversing bodies of water or mud, crawling under barbed wire, and jumping through fire. Since the beginning of modern OCR in 1987, the sport has grown in popularity such that more than 2500 events are held annually across the world and several run organizing companies are commercially successful.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superhero Scramble</span>

Superhero Scramble was a superhero themed obstacle race series that has several levels of races. The majority of participants participate for fun, while others compete for team and individual prize money that's available at each event. Participants frequently dress in costumes based on characters from video games, movies, cartoons, and comic books. The all-day events included live bands, DJ's, emcees, entertainers, food and beer. There were also night races and kids' races.

Joe De Sena is the CEO and founder of Spartan and the Death Race. He is also a NY Times best selling author of Spartan Up, Spartan Fit and The Spartan Way.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amelia Boone</span> American obstacle racer

Amelia Boone is an American obstacle racer. She used to be an attorney for the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, but now works for Apple Inc. in San Jose, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">OCR Kings</span>

The OCR Kings, extreme athletes "Mack and Damer " based in Danbury, Connecticut "attempt to dominate in the world of obstacle course racing by recreating the grueling challenges and obstacles of actual OCR's and developing the best methods of conquering them." The OCR Kings' stated mission is helping others to succeed in their fitness journey, especially in running and Obstacle Course Racing. They vow "to encourage and/or assist anyone, regardless of age or level of athleticism."

References

  1. 1 2 Elliott, Buck (June 21, 2017). "On Course - Our resident ex-jock takes on the Spartan Race". Fort Worth Weekly. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  2. ↑ "5000 racers conquer inaugural race". September 11, 2017.
  3. ↑ "New Clark City to host first Spartan Stadion in the Philippines". BCDA.
  4. ↑ "Spartan Race | Compete with the Best". Spartan Race.
  5. ↑ "VIDEO: The Spartan Race in Williston | Burlington Free Press". Burlington Free Press. Archived from the original on July 23, 2012. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  6. ↑ Keneally, Scott (October 22, 2012). "Playing Dirty". Outside Online. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Spartan Race Growing Through Participation Surge And Reebok / NBC Partnerships". Forbes. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Spartan Race Tackles TV". Obstacle Racing Media. August 8, 2013. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  9. ↑ "NBC Orders 'Spartan Race' Competition Series From 'American Ninja Warrior' Producer". Deadline. August 26, 2015. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Spartan Endurance Agoge 001 – Part I: So it begins". ORM. March 3, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Spartan Race true test of will - ESPN". ESPN Sports. June 6, 2010. Retrieved October 24, 2015.
  12. ↑ Church, Steven (February 25, 2020). "Tough Mudder Sold in Bankruptcy to Rival, Spartan". Bloomberg. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  13. ↑ Dumcius, Gintautas. "Spartan Race clears hurdle in acquisition of rival Tough Mudder". Bizjournals. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  14. 1 2 Gambles, Sarah. "Family of Spartans". The Spectrum.
  15. ↑ writer, Kevin Opsahl staff (July 11, 2016). "USU employee No. 1 in Spartan race competition".
  16. ↑ "Spartan Race: Atlanta Sprint Weekend 2016 Review". Obstacle Racing Media. March 10, 2016.
  17. ↑ Observer, Erica Beck The Argus (June 23, 2016). "Spartan Race next in fitness journey".
  18. ↑ "North Berwick teen overcomes all obstacles". The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram. July 3, 2016.
  19. ↑ Staff, Hunter Ingram StarNews. "'Spartan' team bonded through suffering".
  20. ↑ "Spartan Race New Jersey Beast 2016". Obstacle Racing Media. May 3, 2016.
  21. ↑ "Spartan Race: The Obstacles". The Mountain Times. September 21, 2015.
  22. ↑ "The bizarre allure of obstacle races". June 12, 2012.
  23. ↑ Keneally, Scott (February 6, 2014). "DNF: The True Tale of Failure at a Spartan Race".
  24. ↑ "New Spartan Medals and T-Shirts". Obstacle Racing Media. March 15, 2016.
  25. ↑ "Military Rec: Spartan workout Saturday on Bragg".
  26. ↑ "Spartan Just Hosted Its Most Competitive World Championships Ever". Competitor.com. October 2, 2017. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  27. ↑ "Rankings and results". August 2018.
  28. 1 2 3 "Photos: 2014 Spartan Race World Championships | Competitor.com". Competitor.com. September 25, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  29. ↑ "Vermont Beast - World Championship 2013". Spartan Race, Inc. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  30. ↑ "Hobie Call Results at Athlinks.com" . Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  31. ↑ "Cody Moat and Lindsay Webster Capture 2017 Reebok Spartan Race World Championship at Squaw Valley - LetsRun.com". LetsRun.com. September 30, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  32. ↑ "Spartan Race Series Is Heading To Iceland For Their World Championship". September 21, 2017. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
  33. ↑ "Obstacle-Crushing Tweens Compete for Podium in First-Ever Spartan Kids World Championship",Runner's World, December 1, 2018
  34. ↑ "Tour 1 Hotel South Beach's new Spartan Gym". Curbed Miami. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  35. ↑ "1 Hotel South Beach Official Launch of The Beach Club". Miami's Community News. November 3, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  36. ↑ "New Spartan Strong Classes". August 21, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  37. ↑ "Spartan Sprint: The OCR Race for Beginner and Elite Athletes".
  38. ↑ "Spartan Race Inc. Obstacle Course Races | Spartan Sprint: 3+ Miles, 20+ Obstacles". Spartan Race. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  39. ↑ "Spartan Race - Obstacle Racing Media". Obstacle Racing Media. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  40. ↑ "2017 Spartan Sprint Honor Series Review - West Point, NY". Obstacle Racing Media. September 2, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  41. 1 2 "Spartan Stadium Series AT&T Park Sprint Review". Obstacle Racing Media. November 27, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  42. ↑ team, Sports4Jax (December 21, 2018). "Jacksonville selected as one of five cities to host 2019 Spartan US National Series". WJXT. Retrieved January 21, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  43. ↑ "ESPN to Air Five-Episode Series Profiling Spartan, The World's Largest Obstacle Race and Endurance Brand". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  44. ↑ MENAFN. "2018 Spartan World Championship Powered by Rakuten Drew the Best Endurance Athletes in the World to North Lake Tahoe, CA". Middle East North Africa Financial Network. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  45. ↑ "Dallas Spartan 2017: How I Survived My First Ultra Beast". Obstacle Racing Media. November 10, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  46. ↑ "Spartan Race Hurricane Heat: Bright". RunSociety. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  47. ↑ "NBC - Spartan Race". Miami's Community News. November 3, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  48. ↑ Schlachter, Margaret (September 20, 2018). "ESPN Brings You OCR - Spartan: The Championship Series". Mud Run, OCR, Obstacle Course Race & Ninja Warrior Guide. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.