What Is a Spartan Race?

If you’re getting ready to run your first Spartan race, you likely have some questions about how it will go. 

Spartan races are a great way to get out of your comfort zone, take on a new challenge, and test your fitness. Numerous events are hosted in the United States and countries around the world. If you like weight training, carrying heavy objects, and building cardiovascular endurance, obstacle racing might be the perfect sport for you.

In this article, I’ll cover all the frequently asked questions beginners have when taking on their first race. With proper training, you can conquer Spartan’s entire series of obstacle races.

Whether you’re signing up for your first race or you’re a seasoned obstacle course racer, there’s a frequently asked question here you’ve probably you need the answer to.

If you enjoy this article, you’ll love these other Spartan Race resources.

How to Prepare for Your First Sprint Spartan Race

How to Do the Spartan Race Atlas Carry Obstacle

2024 Spartan Race Schedule (Dates, Locations, & Details)

2024 Tough Mudder Race Schedule (Dates, Locations, & Details)

What is a Spartan Race?

Spartan is an athletic racing brand that hosts a variety of fitness events. It was founded by Joe De Sena in 2007.

De Sena first founded the Death Race, a 48-hour endurance race he hosted in Vermont. After the Death Race’s success, De Sena decided to create events that would be more accessible to the general population.

Spartan events were born. Since then, Spartan has become a household name with major sponsorships like Rebook, a televised world championship series, and even its own show.

Spartan acquired its biggest competitor, Tough Mudder, in 2020. The company continues to host events around the U.S. each year.

The Spartan race series includes obstacle course races of varying distances. The longer the distance, the more obstacles involved. Spartan also hosts a fitness race series called Deka that involves 10 workout stations completed for time.

You can check out my review of the Deka Mile here.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions beginners have about Spartan Races.

What are the Spartan race distances?

The Spartan series of obstacle course races include four-course lengths:

Sprint: 5k (3.1 miles), Spartan’s most popular event.

Super: 10k (6.2 miles)

Beast: 21k (13.1 miles)

Ultra: 50k (31 miles)

Other Spartan races include the Hurricane Heat, Stadion (a 5k Spartan stadium series), and trail races of various distances.

How should I train for a Spartan race?

Training should involve a combination of running, strength training, and, depending on what kind of equipment you have available, obstacle-specific training. Your training plan should focus on building endurance, strength, and agility.

Exercises like the kettlebell swing, walking lunges, sandbag carries, and pull-ups are great places to start when preparing for a Spartan race.

What should I wear to a Spartan Race?

People have different preferences for what to wear. Some people wear shorts and a T-shirt. Men sometimes go shirtless, and women wear tank tops. I prefer wearing light, long sleeves and tights under running shorts. The bottom layer helps prevent cuts and scrapes from the crawling obstacles.

I recommend wearing a pair of shoes you don’t plan on wearing again. The shoes you train in are a good option. Bid them farewell after the race because they will be so muddy that they will never be clean again.

The same goes for the socks. I always wear two pairs of socks to reduce the risk of blisters because the shoes tend to get loose once they get muddy.

Lastly, I always bring a change of clothes and a pair of flip-flops to change into after the race. 

Do I need any special equipment for a Spartan race?

Generally, no special equipment is required, but some participants use gloves, hydration packs, and vests. If you’re running a longer race like Beast or Ultra, you should plan on bringing a vest or pack for liquids and nutrition, just like you would for a long road or trail race.

You can bring your vest to carry whatever you need to during shorter races, but I think you can get by without bringing anything extra.

There will be a few water stations available, though if you are going for a PR, you may want to bring your own hydration as the water lines can get long during the Sprint race.

What happens if I can’t complete an obstacle during a Spartan race?

If you cannot complete an obstacle, you will have to perform a penalty. This could be a number of burpees or running an extra distance. The distance penalty is marked in blue next to the obstacle.

The penalty is on the honor system. This brings up another point: You will see many people skipping obstacles.

This surprised me the first time I did a Spartan race. Some people skip almost every obstacle and penalty distance. There will be obstacles you will fail at, but I think it’s important to at least try and take the penalty if you have to.

What is the open wave?

The open wave is the non-competitive division for anyone who wants to run the race. Spartan offers three divisions: the open, the age group, which allows racers to compete against people in their specific age group, and the competitive division, which includes all age groups and elite racers. 

Anyone can sign up for the open, age group, or competitive divisions.

​Age groups and competitive divisions are officiated, meaning obstacles must be completed according to the Spartan Rule book. Participants in the competitive divisions can not skip obstacles or penalties. 

The open division has far less oversight, which is what most recreational Spartan racers sign up for.

Where can I learn more about the Spartan obstacles?

The Spartan website has a page demonstrating all of its most popular obstacles. You can view it here. I recommend watching a few demonstration videos before your first race to get an idea of what you’re up against.

Are Spartan races safe?

Spartan races are designed with safety in mind but can be physically demanding and involve risks. It’s important to train properly, know your limits, and prepare for the weather you’ll be running in. Also, be aware that there are no safety nets below the taller obstacles. 

If you are terrified of heights, you might want to reconsider participating or skipping the tall obstacles. Going over a tall obstacle when you’re wet and muddy with other racers can be an alarming experience, even if you’re not afraid of heights. 

Can beginners participate in Spartan races?

Yes, beginners can participate. The Spartan Sprint is often recommended for first-timers due to its shorter distance and fewer obstacles. Sprints are also slower as more people participate in them than at any other distance.

Anticipate waiting in line, at least during the first few obstacles, which tend to bottleneck. The positive to all the waiting is you can watch others do the obstacle and see what works and what doesn’t before it’s your turn.

How much does it cost to enter a Spartan race?

Entry fees vary depending on the race type, location, and how early you register. Prices typically range from $100 to $200 for adult races.

Keep in mind that the further out you purchase your ticket from the event date, the cheaper it will likely be. Prices increase as the event approaches.

Spartan offers a substantial military discount and puts the races on sale during various holidays. Be aware that if your friends or family want to cheer you on, they will need a ticket to the spectator area, which costs around $20.

What is the Spartan Trifecta?

The Spartan Trifecta is earned by completing a Sprint, Super, and Beast race within one calendar year.

There is also a special medal for those completing all three on the same weekend. Each time you complete a Spartan Obstacle Course Race, you will get a finisher medal and a wedge specific to that race. Do all three races, and you can piece the wedges together to make a Trifecta Medal.

What should I bring to a Spartan race?

Bring your race confirmation either printed or a photo on your phone, your ID, a change of clothes, a towel or two, hydration, snacks or gels, and any personal items you might need before and after the race.

There will be a locker area where you can store stuff for a small fee.

Can I run a Spartan race with friends or a team?

Yes, you will see a lot of people running in teams, especially during the Spartan Sprint races. Many gyms or fitness groups will sign up together and wear the same gear.

A team can be helpful in conquering certain obstacles, but it’s not required and shouldn’t hold you back from doing your first race. I prefer to run the races alone and at my own pace.

How long does it take to complete a Spartan Race?

Completion times vary widely based on the race type and the participant’s fitness level. A Sprint might take 1-2 hours, while a Beast can take 4-6 hours or more.

It also depends on how many people are participating and the time you select for your heat. The earlier heats and longer distance races will have fewer people, making for a faster race. You can also sign up for the competitive heats, which have fewer people than the open.

What are some obstacles I can expect on race day?

Not every race has the same obstacles, but almost all will have a few staples. This includes the spear throw, in which you throw a spear at a bale of hay (it is harder than it looks), a rope climb, the bucket brigade, an Atlas carry, some form of monkey bars, wire crawl, Hercules Hoist, and the cargo net, among others.

You can check out outdoormusclefit.com for our articles on how to complete and train for Spartan obstacles.

What is the start line like?

When you buy your ticket from the Spartan website, you select the start time you want. About five minutes before, you will crawl through a few feet of barbed wire and hop a low wall to get to the starting area.

Then, an announcer will send off a group of 20-30 runners at a time. The first mile tends to bottleneck, especially on during the Spartan Sprint and if the race has narrow trails or starts with an incline. After the first mile or so, the herd tends to thin out. 

What is the spectator area like?

The spectator area has a handful of vendor tents and a food truck or two. There is a stage, music, information booth, and a Spartan store where you can buy gear. There are also usually a handful of product vendors (energy drinks, beer, snacks, etc.) and recruiters. I’ve seen sheriff, National Guard, Air Force, Border Patrol, and other first responder/armed forces booths. Spectator tickets cost around $20. 

My biggest gripe about the spectator area is that there are no chairs or bleachers. So, if you or your friends and family plan to watch a race, bring a lawn chair.

What is the finish line like?

When you approach the finish line you will jump over the fire, which is very low and easy to skip over. Then, you’ll cross the finish line. You can call it a day or go the “extra mile.”

The extra mile is another mile while carrying a kettlebell.

When you’re done, someone will hand you your finisher medal and trifecta wedge. Then, you can get your finisher photo taken, and before you exit the area, you will pick up your finisher shirt.

And that’s it! Now you’re ready to sign up for your next race, whether it’s the Spartan Super, Spartan Beast, or Spartan Ultra. Remember Spartan also owns Tough Mudder if you want try your hand at mud runs.

Sign Up!

If you’re ready for a good challenge, there are several types of Spartan races to choose from. Pick one in your area and sign up. You won’t regret it!

Training for a Spartan race is a lot of hard work. If you are starting from the couch, giving yourself several months to train is a good idea. The Sprint will be challenging but very doable if you work out and run consistently. The Super is my favorite race because it’s still relatively short with a ton of fun obstacles, but there are fewer people than the Sprint.

After you conquer the Sprint and Super, give Beast a try. This is a tough race for even top athletes, but it will challenge you in ways the shorter courses don’t. A half-marathon Spartan race is no joke, so if you do sign up for Beast, give yourself a lot of time to prepare. 

If you really want a challenge, consider doing the Spartan Ultra. Here is exactly how I’ve been training for the 2024 San Luis Obispo Ultra.

If you enjoy the Spartan brand but need a break from obstacle course racing, the Spartan trail runs are a ton of fun and almost always take place in beautiful locations. The world of Spartan racing has something for everyone!

You may also enjoy these articles:

How to Prepare for Your First Sprint Spartan Race

How to Do the Spartan Race Atlas Carry Obstacle

2024 Spartan Race Schedule (Dates, Locations, & Details)

2024 Tough Mudder Race Schedule (Dates, Locations, & Details)

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