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!
The Bucket Brigade is often considered to be the hardest Spartan obstacle. It is also mandatory, so although you can restart the obstacle, you must complete it or withdraw from the race.
The Sprint
The Spartan Sprint is the easiest and most straightforward of our obstacle races (with the possible exception of the Stadion — more on that below). It's 5K (approximately 3.1 miles) of trail running, held on off-road terrain and featuring mud and water.
The Spartan Death Race is considered one of the toughest races in the world, meant to push participants to their physical, mental, and emotional breaking points.
Whatever you have in your mind that got you to sign up for this crazy event, you are not ready. Spartan race is unlike any other obstacle race out there, they claim to be the hardest and I would have to agree. It combines the hardest terrain with the heaviest carries and the coldest water.
Competitive Elite and Age Group racers that are unable to complete a "pass/fail" obstacle will be required to complete a penalty loop (Except when competing at a Stadion race where the penalty will remain as 15 burpees for all racers).
According to Spartan founder Joe De Sena, first-time racers fail certain Spartan obstacles about 90% of the time: the Spear Throw, the Rope Climb, the Tyrolean Traverse, and the Multi-Rig. The good news? With time and practice (and the desire to avoid burpees), the failure rate improves to about 50-50.
Spartan is a true physical and mental test. Ideal for runners, weightlifters, functional fitness fans, and newbies alike. The Sprint will push you to your limits. Make sure you're ready with with our comprehensive training guides that not only get you to the starting line, but make sure you cross the finish line.
There's nothing clean about obstacle races, least of all trying to clean up after. The dirt and mud have to go somewhere when it comes off your clothes and gear, but you don't have to incur the wrath of the janitorial staff, or sacrifice your favorite shoes, every race.
Virtually anyone with heart, determination, and a never-quit attitude can complete a Spartan race. How easily the race is completed and the speed of recovery after the event is determined by the level of conditioning/training the individual partakes in.
The pancake carry is a specific type of sand bag that you will carry at a spartan race. Pancakes also go by different names such as SandBells and most Spartan Races will have 20 lbs. for the women and 40 lbs for the men.
SPARTAN SPRINT
While the Sprint is the shortest of the Spartan races, it remains a favorite among returning Spartans looking to push themselves beyond previous performances. Delivering 20-23 obstacles over 3-5 miles, it serves as the go-to introduction to Spartan Race.
Try to arrive 1.5-2 hours prior to your scheduled start time.
It's dangerous, and will teach you to manage risk in a controlled environment. Yes it's dangerous, you're climbing over walls, leaping fire, carrying weight up and down hills, and crawling under barbed wire. Those are activities with inherent risk.
This usually tells me that a person did not train properly for the weight of the bucket (approximately 60-to-75 pounds) or they just are not mentally committed to the obstacle. There are exemptions for injury or other issues, but not for just making it easier on yourself or that you do not feel like doing it.
The race, created by Ultra athlete and Spartan Race founder Joe Desena, was developed as a way for athletes to test themselves both mentally and physically. The Death Races take place in the unexpectedly challenging terrain of the Green Mountains in and around Pittsfield, Vermont, and have lasted over 70 hours.
We have water and aid stations on every course. Sprints typically have 1 water station midway and additional water at the Finish Line. Longer races like the Super or Beast will have up to 4 water stations. We do not provide gels or food for racers, though some venues may have food and drinks available for purchase.
Often a long car ride or flight awaits your post race celebration. Getting clean after the race is not always straightforward. Most of the major race series such as Spartan Race, Tough Mudder, and Warrior Dash offer hoses, showers and changing tents for participants.
The penalty is 30 burpees. If racer does not finish the penalty correctly, the racer will get 30 second extra time for each wrong or missing burpee. If racer will do less than 20 burpees, the racer will be disqualified.
If helping isn't allowed for safety reasons do the burpees (30 for regular races - 15 for stadion).
Assuming you have a baseline of fitness, you should train for at least one month for a Spartan Race with strength training moves that build your upper body and grip strength. What is this? Ideally, you would train for two to three months for a Spartan race to adequately prepare for the challenge.
Stauffer says that most endurance athletes can handle a Spartan race with no problem. You don't necessarily have to run the course if you don't want to (walking is totally allowed!), but you do have to cover some distance.
You may enjoy wearing headphones for training, but it is dangerous to wear them during a race. Missing the call of someone trying to pass you or a volunteer explaining the obstacle is inconsiderate, but not hearing the warning of someone falling from Twister is dangerous.
Yes! Keep the doors closed the whole time (keeping the GoPro in the frame it comes with will help with that) and you should be fine. When the race is over, be sure to hose down the GoPro with clean water.