The Spartan Race 3K Elite Series (The 2023 National Series)

This article was first published in October of 2022. It has since been updated.

After a false start with the Spartan Cross in the Spring of 2020, Spartan will launch a 3K distance race which will be the format for Elite Series Races in 2023. In recent years, the distances were mostly Super or Beast distances.

The races will include 2 qualifying rounds leading up to a 15-person final heat for both sexes. We have the complete rulebook listed below.

For some historical context, Here is what Spartan Race had to say about Cross back in 2020.

The following is copied from the 2023 Spartan Rule Book.

5.1 3K DISTANCE EVENTS
5.1.1 Format Modifications
a) Race will take place on a 1k looped course. Each loop will consist of 10-12
obstacles and will be repeated on all loops.
b) The competition will consist of 3 rounds:

(i) Qualifying Round 1 (Q1)
(1) A single lap of the 1k course with 45 competitors.
(2) 15 competitors will be released every 2 minutes
a) In cases where there are less than 45 competitors the
starting waves may be reduced.
(3) Ranking will be determined by “Chip Time”, or based on the
accumulated time from when a competitor crossed the start line
until they have crossed the finish line, with the addition of any
time penalties assessed by the Head Official.
(4) The top 30 racers will qualify for Q2.
a) In cases where there are less than 45 competitors the top
⅔ of the competitors will qualify for Q2.
b) In the case where a competitor drops from competition
after qualifying no rolldown will be enacted. Q2 will start
with a reduced number of racers.
c) In the case where a competitor is penalized or disqualified
causing another competitor to now qualify for Q2, the new
competitor will be able to compete in Q2.
(5) Racers will have 11 minutes to complete the course or be pulled
from the competition.
a) The race director or head marshal may allow more time for
completion based on race conditions.

(ii) Qualifying Round 2 (Q2)
(1) A single lap of the 1k course with 30 competitors.
(2) 15 competitors will be released every 2 minutes
a) In cases where there are less than 30 competitors the
starting waves may be reduced.
(3) Ranking will be determined by “Chip Time”, or based on the
accumulated time from when a competitor crossed the start line
until they have crossed the finish line, with the addition of any
time penalties assessed by the Head Official.
SPARTAN 2023 Rules of Competition Page 59 v23.1
(4) Q1 times will be wiped and qualifying will only be determined by
a competitor’s Q2 time.
(5) The top 15 racers will qualify for finals.
a) In cases where there are less than 45 competitors the top
½ of the competitors will qualify for the finals.
b) In the case where a competitor drops from competition
after qualifying no roll down will be enacted. The finals will
start with a reduced number of racers.
c) In the case where a competitor is penalized or disqualified
causing another competitor to now qualify for the finals,
the new competitor will be able to compete in the finals.
(6) Racers will have 11 minutes to complete the course or be pulled
from the competition.
a) The race director or head marshal may allow more time for
completion based on race conditions.

(iii) The Final
(1) 3 Laps of the 1k course with 15 competitors.
(2) All qualifying competitors will be released in a single wave.
(3) The winner is determined by “gun time” or whoever crosses the
finish line first, regardless of when they crossed the starting line.
The addition of any time penalties assessed by the Head Official
will be added after the completion and may affect final rankings.
(4) Q1 and Q2 times will be wiped and final competition placement
will only be determined by a competitor’s Final Round time.
(5) Racers will have 30 minutes to complete the course or be pulled
from the competition.
a) The race director or head marshal may allow more time for
completion based on race conditions.
c) All competitors must remain in the designated finisher holding zone and
review the digital rankings board to determine qualification for the next
round.
d) All racers must start on time or may be disqualified.

The race locations have been finalized and are as follows:

April 21 – Palm Beach, FL

May 19 – Big Bear, CA

July 14 – Poconos, PA

Oct 13 – TBD, Mexico

Initially, there was a 5th location in Canada, but that has since been removed as part of the series.

Cash and awards info per the Spartan Zendesk.

The top 3 Male and Female competitors will win Cash Prizes and Awards as follows:

North America per event
$1,500
$1,000
$500
Overall series
$5,000
$2,500
$1,000
Other Important Information:
For a full detailed description of the event and the rules, please refer to the Spartan Race Rules of Competition listed here: Spartan Race Rules of Competition
The Season Pass is not valid for the 3K events, however, the Unbreakable Pass is valid.
Event sign-up links are valid for invited athletes only and should not be shared with anyone. Anyone who signs up without receiving an official invitation will be removed from the event.
3K events are non-transferable
No Finisher Medals nor shirts are awarded at these events.
This event does not count towards any part of the Trifecta

Here are the some other 2023 Spartan Race Payouts:

Pan American Championship payouts

3K Pan American Championships

$5,000
$2,500
$1,000

21K Pan American Championships

$1,500
$1,000
$500

The Spartan World Championship in Abu Dhabi will pay

3K Payouts Abu Dhabi

$20,000
$15,000
$7,500

21K Payouts Abu Dhabi

$2,500
$1,000
$500

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Previous US National Series Announcements

2016 – https://obstacleracingmedia.com/ocr-news/spartan-new-championship-series/

2017 – https://obstacleracingmedia.com/ocr-news/wv-new-breck-2017-spartan-u-s-championship-series/

2018 – https://obstacleracingmedia.com/ocr-news/2018-united-states-spartan-championship-series/

2019 – https://obstacleracingmedia.com/ocr-news/2019-spartan-us-championship-series/

2020 – https://obstacleracingmedia.com/featured/spartan-2020-us-national-series-schedule/

2021 – https://obstacleracingmedia.com/ocr-news/2021-spartan-us-national-series/

2022 – https://obstacleracingmedia.com/featured/2022-spartan-elite-north-american-series/

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Matt B. Davis

is the host of the Obstacle Racing Media Podcast and the author of "Down and Dirty-The Essential Training Guide for Obstacle Races and Mud Runs". He is also the only (known) #wafflehouseelite obstacle racer.