2016 Spartan Race U.S. Championship Series: Atkins, McIntyre, and Killian fight for first

This weekend is the fifth and final race in the Spartan Race U.S. Championship Series. “The Summit” is a Beast-length course with 13+ miles and 30+ obstacles and the course is on the mountains in Breckenridge, Colorado.

There are three men with a legitimate chance to claim the series win, but Ryan Atkins controls his own destiny. Hunter McIntyre and Robert Killian both have a shot, but they need a little help to get there.

At the end of the five-race series, each runner’s lowest individual race score is dropped. By removing each runner’s lowest current score we can see where they stand against each other. A first place finish is worth 300 points, a second place is worth 299 and so on. Atkins has three 1st place finishes for 900 points. McIntyre has one 1st, one 2nd, and one 3rd, for 897 points. Killian has two 2nds and one 3rd for 896 points.

• If Atkins finishes in 3rd place or better he will be the 2016 Spartan U.S. Champion.
• If McIntyre finishes in 1st, AND Atkins finishes in 5th place or worse, McIntyre will win the championship.
• If Killian finishes in 1st, AND Atkins finishes in 6th place or worse, AND McIntyre finishes in 3rd or worse, Killian will win the title.

There are also several ways Spartan could end up with a tie for first place. Here are a few:

• Atkins and McIntyre tied for first place overall: McIntyre wins, Atkins finishes in 4th.
• Atkins and Killian tied for first place overall: Killian wins, Atkins finishes in 5th.
• McIntyre and Killian tied for first place overall: Killian wins, McIntyre finishes in 2nd, Atkins finishes 6th or worse.
• Three Way Tie for first place overall: Killian wins, McIntyre finishes in 2nd, Atkins finishes in 5th.

Any one of those scenarios could easily happen. Ryan Atkins could save Spartan from doing a lot of math (although honestly, we already did it for them. We’re happy to show our work Joe) by winning his fourth series race in five outings.

For our analysis of the Women’s U.S. Championship Series, read here.

For all the results as they happen this Saturday, follow ORM on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

Photo Credits: Spartan Race and Screengrab NBCSN

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Will Hicks

Will Hicks is the host of World's Toughest Podcast, where they talk about any obstacle course race you'd like, as long as it is World's Toughest Mudder.

Latest posts by Will Hicks (see all)

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• Spartan Race U.S. Championship Series: Lindsay Webster Dominates Field on way to First Place - August 31, 2016