More than 4,000 warriors, big and small, participated in the Spartan Warriors Race in Beijing and spent the challenging weekend

The Spartan Race in Beijing concluded its final event of the 2024 season at the Olympic Water Park from October 19-20, attracting over 4,000 participants of all ages to compete fiercely amidst the forests and rivers. Davide Liu (44:51) and Zhang Wenting (01:00:49) took home the championship titles in the adult super race, while Zhao Yifu (26:15) and Zou Yao Yao (31:24) won the elite division for 12-14 year-olds. In the 9-11 age group, Wang Zizheng (27:55) and Zhang Ruomeng (31:39) were crowned champions.

This year’s Spartan Race marked its return to the Olympic Water Park for the first time since 2019. Set against the backdrop of forests and rivers, the course provided competitors with a challenging yet beautiful racing experience. The event featured an adult racing category (10 kilometers with 26 obstacles) and youth competitions divided by age: 4-6 years (3 kilometers, 18 obstacles), 7-9 years (4 kilometers, 23 obstacles), and 10-14 years (5 kilometers, 27 obstacles).

The adult racecourse was intricately designed with long straightaways and sharp turns. Although the elevation challenges were minimal, the extended stretches tested the racers’ speed and endurance. On the morning of the 19th, temperatures hovered around 5 degrees Celsius. To ensure the safety of the participants, organizers canceled the swimming obstacle that required crossing the water, but other water-related challenges, like “The River of Souls” and “Hercules’ Challenge,” remained mandatory. Competitors faced not only physical obstacles but also the psychological strain of racing in the cold.

Experienced Spartan racer Feng Jiahao admitted to feeling the chill: “Today was definitely colder than usual, so the water felt pretty cold when I went in. But I adjusted quickly and managed to finish the race with my friends from Spartan. I hope to achieve even better results in the future.”

In contrast to the adult course, the children’s race included a twisty layout with closely packed obstacles. Young racers had to navigate back and forth through the woods, which tested their stamina and skills. The sudden drop in temperature also posed challenges for kids and parents alike. However, five-and-a-half-year-old competitor Qu Leyi displayed remarkable bravery: “I think I’ve improved a lot since the National Day race in Beijing. Even though I still find strength-based challenges like Hercules’ Arm a bit hard, I’ve managed to climb over high walls easily, which feels really rewarding!”

Zhang Haoyang, the organizer of the Spartan Race, expressed enthusiasm about returning to the Olympic Water Park: “It’s been five years since we held the Spartan Race here. Participants get to experience the thrill and challenge of the race while soaking in the unique atmosphere of an Olympic venue. I hope this encourages them to love sports even more and embrace challenges.” Looking ahead, the 2024 Spartan Race will continue in cities like Hangzhou, Moganshan, Shenzhen, and Huizhou, with registrations now open.