PAIN NO OBSTACLE Spartan attracts bumper field of Townsville competitors
THE world’s leading obstacle race series, Spartan, has arrived in Townsville with a huge weekend ahead for competitors of all ages from across Queensland.
The first Townsville Spartan Race will be held at Booth Rd, Oak Valley, in the event’s first appearance at such a northern location.
Spartan is renowned for providing an opportunity for racers to test their fitness in extreme conditions, with plenty of obstacles, including monkey bars, the tyre drag, barbed wire crawl, spear throwing and the rope climb, to push the athletes to the ultimate edge of endurance.
Event co- ordinator Marty McDonough, from Mcdonough Piper Promotions, said the race was perfect for Townsville as it was a fitnessfocused community with more than 50 gyms.
“It fits the Townsville image and it fits our climate,” he said.
Spartan race director Paul Harwood said Townsville was one of the most beautiful places they had hosted the race.
“It’s dry and hot but that’s why we came up here,” he said. “Everyone we have been working with has been amazing and so friendly and efficient.”
The race festival will be packed, with action starting tonight with a 4km Hurricane Heat before major races begin tomorrow from 6.30am.
There have been more than 2500 entries with registrations remaining open until the races have begun.
The racing includes the 7km Spartan Sprint, the 21km Beast Challenge, the 42km Ultra Beast challenge and a children’s race that has about 350 kids signed up.
McDonough Piper Promotions’ Scott Piper said there was something for everyone.
“The 7km is for anyone who wants to have a go. It’s for every fitness level and for everyone to have some fun,” he said. “There are plenty of ambulance officers and hydrations as people go through.”
Organisers are confident Spartan will return to Townsville, becoming an annual event for the region.
Races are set on the site of master- planned community project Elliot Springs, with rambling creeks and native bushland adding to the challenge for competitors.