If you like obstacles and mud mixed in with your running, Spartan races are for you. And if you like to watch people clamber over nets and swing from ropes as they struggle toward the finish line, you’ll be excited to hear about the new partnership between extreme endurance brand Spartan and the Obstacle Course Racing World Championships (OCRWC). From October 6-8, athletes will converge on California’s Mammoth Mountain, coming out muddy, exhausted, and, in some cases, victorious.
“Spartan is thrilled to be returning to Mammoth Mountain in partnership with the OCRWC and Mammoth Lakes Tourism,” Joe De Sena, Spartan founder, said in a statement. “The event is one of a kind, offering something for everyone and challenges for athletes of all skill levels.”
A 100-meter sprint course features back-to-back obstacles. Athletes get two attempts to finish the sprint course. The 3K has more than 15 obstacles, plus a significant elevation gain. The main event is Saturday’s 15K, which includes more than 40 of the toughest obstacles created for the sport. On Sunday, three-person teams will navigate 25 obstacles during the 6K team relay.
A 5K charity race on Sunday morning will benefit Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra, a nonprofit that offers adaptive sports and outdoor recreation for people with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. The organization allows disabled athletes to participate in many different sports, including skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, kayaking, rock climbing, and camping.
Famous for skiing, Mammoth Mountain is a location of knock-out beauty year-round. “We are thrilled to bring this world-class event back to such a stunning location and offer competitors an unforgettable experience,” Adrian Bijanada, OCRWC CEO, said in a statement. “We anticipate witnessing incredible displays of athleticism, perseverance, and sportsmanship.”
Do you have the urge to spice up your runs with barbed wire crawls and ladder climbs? See a sample of the obstacles racers will face here. If you’re still inclined, you can download this handy booklet about how to train for an obstacle race.
