Have You Competed In These Iconic Spartan Races?
Spartan races are the ultimate test of physical strength, endurance, and mental toughness. They are not for the faint-hearted, and only uber-fit athletes need to apply. There are some incredible Spartan races around the world each year, each with its own unique twist.
The United States is home to some of the toughest Spartan races on the planet. Surprisingly, the Spartan Race in Littlefield, Las Vegas, is not considered one of the hardest despite taking place in blistering heat. Anyone who has visited “Sin City” during the summer months knows how the dry heat saps your strength.
How many of these races have you competed in or plan to add to your obstacle race schedule?
“Spartan Death Race” by MudRunGuide is licensed under CC BY 3.0
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The Spartan Death Race: Pittsfield, Vermont
The Spartan Death Race is the toughest race in the world; even its name strike fear into the hearts of the most seasoned athlete. It takes place across the challenging terrain of the Green Mountains in and around Pittsfield, Vermont, and lasts more than 70 hours!
Founder and CEO Joe De Sena continually alters the race, so it keeps its title of the world’s toughest race. The latest, grueling Death Race included:
- A torturous 14-hour ruck
- A 50lb sandbag carry for 26.2 miles
- Rope climbs with a combined distance of 26.2 miles or 31,000 feet in only seven hours
- A marathon barbed wire crawl
- 26.2 miles of burpees (3,000 in the space of 12 hours)
Do not even consider entering the Death Race if you have not fully prepared both physically and mentally. Eric Hutterer was one of only 12 people to finish the 2018 Death Race. He set a new Guinness World Record after crawling under barbed wire for 12 hours, completing the 26.2-mile distance.
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Spartan Stadion: Citi Field, New York
You are forgiven for thinking a Spartan race in the urban jungle of New York would not be as difficult as treacherous mountain terrain, but you would be wrong. The Spartan Stadion race takes place at Citi Field, New York, the stadium and home field of MLB franchise New York Mets.
Organizers transform the stadium into a Spartan playground, sprawling more than three-miles and featuring over 15 obstacles. Expect to run into the bleachers, over walls, and under nets in this fast-paced event.
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Asheville Spartan Trail: Asheville, North Carolina
Head to North Carolina if you want to compete in a series of five extremely difficult Spartan races. The races take place in Mount Mitchell, the highest peak of the Appalachian Mountains, and features a 10K night race, a daytime 10K, a Half Marathon, and an endurance-sapping 50K race.
The obstacle course starts at 07:30 on Sunday morning and runs along a clay-filled route through dense forest with slippery streams. Speed and agility are the keys to success in this epic battle.
“Spartan Race” by Spartan Race Inc. is licensed under CC BY 3.0
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Michigan International Speedway: Brooklyn, Michigan
The Michigan International Speedway is usually home to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, but it is also the location of a fantastic Spartan race. The course is on the flatter side because it is a race track at the end of the day, but do not enter this race thinking you will have an easy ride. The course is very obstacle-heavy to make up for the flatter terrain.
The speedway spans 1,400 acres, with the track being two-miles long with 73-foot wide turns. Dozens of challenging stations are positioned around the course to put you to the ultimate test. Monkey swings, rope pulls, sandbag runs, and more take place in view of a 12,000 capacity stadium.
Matt B. Davis
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