ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - The Aug. 22-24 Norcal Spartan Event Weekend featured five races at Mahon Ranch: Sprint, Super, Kids Race, 12-Hour Hurricane Heat and a Four-Hour Hurricane Heat. 

These races varied in lengths and number of obstacles, whether that be wall climbs, burpees or through mud and water.                           

 

Athletes Getting Out of Water Obstacle 

Although there are multiple races with multiple obstacles, this was a medium-difficulty event. It does not matter if someone is a beginner or has been training for years, this event was made for everyone and not just professionals.             

Marc Montano, Spartan racer and DJ, stated, “that’s what is so great about it. Spartan is all levels of athletes, not just the pros, but also just the everyday person as well.”                           

A participant could compete by themselves to see how they compared to others, or they could bring a group of friends to have fun. There was a great atmosphere around the event, not just in the competition but people looking to have fun and to build camaraderie with the other competitors.               

Marc Montano, Spartan racer and DJ, stated, “that’s what is so great about it. Spartan is all levels of athletes, not just the pros, but also just the everyday person as well.”

Brennan Golden and Olivia Nelson had gone to race in a group of friends to not only compete, but to have a fun time.             

“I was invited by a group of friends to come out. I’m looking to have a good time for an athletic challenge,” said Golden.       

Going with a group of friends gives a different type of internal motivation: wanting to not fail or to give up.

“We are hoping to push each other through these obstacles so we can all finish together,” Nelson said.        

With this event concluded, the Spartan Races now enter their championship season, where the races will be longer and more difficult. “Beast” is a half-marathon race filled with difficult obstacles that all participants need to accomplish. “Ultra,” one of the last races, is over 30 miles long.     

 

Brennan Golden and Olivia Nelson Before Race

 

Different types of races throughout the year help train the experienced athletes for the bigger races, and to help teach the athletes that are just beginning Spartan races. People can find races where there isn’t mud or water and on flat ground.           

“Don’t say ‘I’ll do this tomorrow; I’ll do it the next day.’ Well, the next day is today, and there is no better time to start than today,” said Montano.     

 

Athletes Approaching First Turn of the Race