spartan race

As it makes it’s way on more and more bucket lists, people everywhere are becoming more familiar with the Spartan Race. Interestingly enough, many people heard about this mud run, but have not heard about the interesting history of the wildly popular mud run or what exactly to expect when signing up for one. We highly recommend checking out The Spartan Race and have carefully selected them as a partner for this site because we love what they’ve done, what they are doing now, and what they are going to do.

So let’s get to it and break down what you need to know about the Spartan Race. While there are a collection of adventure races and mud runs out there, this one is our favorite. Maybe it’s the feeling that we are making King Leonidas proud. Maybe it’s because it makes us feel like a real warrior. Whatever the reasons, the Spartan Race takes no prisoners and shows no mercy. Sounds like a formidable opponent, doesn’t it? Consider this your briefing and the tale of the tape. Get off the Couch & Start Living! Spartan Race Voted Best Obstacle Race by Outside Magazine in 2012! Get $10 off, Use Code: SPEAR10 – Sign Up Now!

How the Spartan Race Started

Spartan Race

You'll Know at the Finish Line. Sign up for a Spartan Race Today!

The Spartan Race came into existence in 2004 and is the brainchild of Noel Hanna, Joe Desena, Shaun Bain, Mike Morris, Brian Duncanson, Andy Weinberg, Richard Lee and Selecia Sevigny. They all have extensive service, athletic and racing backgrounds. In 2005, the Spartan Death Race became a starting point for upcoming Spartan Races.

The initial event was held in 2010 and was hosted at the Catamount Outdoor center located in Williston, Vermont. There were approximately five hundred competitors that had to overcome a number of obstacles and also participate in running, crawling, jumping and swimming. All the people that finished got medals with the top prizes being reserved for the top athletes, something that carries through to today. Nowadays, the Spartan Race attracts athletes in droves which resulted in an increase in the intensity of competition.

The Unique Spin Behind the Spartan Race

Spartan Race

Though the races have varying distances from one mile to marathon-like distances, the obstacles that are used also vary and the athletes typically do not know what they are going to get. These obstacles are placed at different stations throughout the Spartan Race event footprint so it cannot be predicted where exactly they will be. Unlike other entities, this race does not give an outline of the course to the athletes beforehand. Everything is basically a mystery until the event. Some of the most common obstacles are listed below.

The Most Common Obstacles at the Spartan Race

Spartan Race

  • There is the fire jump which requires the athletes to leap over flames. This might be found as the start or finish of a race. This jump is in nearly every race with the exception of those where the venue does not allow fire for legal or insurance purposes.
  • Another popular obstacle is the barbed wire crawl. This crawl can range from approximately twenty to one hundred yards in length. This requires the competitors to stay close to the ground while they crawl through to prevent them being harmed by the wires.
  • The next obstacle that can be looked at is the over under through. Sounds weird and like it makes no sense, but this requires the athlete to climb over a wall then under one and then the athlete must go through a hole in another wall. It is typically set up to have at least three repetitions in a row. This obstacle can be found in most races – regardless of the venue that is hosting the event footprint.
  • The spear throw requires an athlete to throw a wooden spear at a target that is approximately ten to twenty yards away. If the spear does not stick to its mark, a punishment of thirty burpees is meted out. This part of the obstacle race can be found in almost every race and is usually near the end.
  • Another common obstacle at the Spartan Race is the wall climb. It requires competitors to climb over wooden walls.  The walls can be anywhere from four feet to eight feet and tend to be set up in sequence. It can be repeated a number of times throughout the obstacle race.

The Bottom Line for The Spartan Race

Spartan Race

When it all comes down to it, you will finish the Spartan Race screaming “I did it!” You will share pictures and brag to friends and family of that time you leaped over flaming piles of hay, you will smile when you see the scar on your arm from that time you crawled under barbed wire, and you will chant when you wear your Spartan Race medal. Best of all, when somebody asks you if the Spartan Race was challenging – you will be able to humbly respond and tell that You’ll Know at the Finish Line. Sign up for a Spartan Race Today!

By Daniel