Do You Have What it Takes to Be A Spartan?

Feb 7th, 2019

The Mobile Sports Authority (MSA) and the City of Saraland are proud to once again host the world leader in competitive obstacle course racing - Spartan.   After a three year hiatus, the globally-recognized race returns to Mobile County as one of five US Championship Series events and the only Spartan in the state.  "The US National Series sees the nation's best athletes battling on the Spartan race course and every year, they raise the bar on the competition, and this season will not disappoint," said Spartan Founder and CEO, Joe De Sena. "With new untested venues and returning courses that brought racers to their limits in previous years, the series will test the mettle and grit of Spartan athletes as they vie for one of the largest prize purses in the sport."

The mission of Spartan is to motivate people to get out of their comfort zone and test their physical limits.  The Alabama Weekend promises to be fun, muddy, and challenging.  Previous race competitors will find all-new terrain as the venue has moved to 1199 Radcliff Road in Saraland. The Alabama Super Spartan will be held on Saturday, March 16. The Super will test the endurance of several thousand elite athletes as they make their way through an 8-mile course dotted with 25 natural and man-made obstacles. On Sunday, March 17, racers can celebrate St. Patrick's Day by competing in the Alabama Sprint Spartan. This is the perfect distance for those starting their Spartan journey or for returning racers looking to see how far they can push themselves. The Sprint delivers three miles of rough terrain and 20 obstacles.  "As an upgrade compared to our 2015 and 2016 races, Spartan competitors can come to Saraland and earn two of the three legs of their annual Spartan Trifecta medal in one weekend," said Danny Corte, Executive Director of the Mobile Sports Authority. "That's very exciting and we're all looking forward to seeing how many competitors accomplish this challenge." No doubt, friendly rivalries will be on display as many of the nation's top endurance athletes vie for prize money and coveted points on their way to the 2019 Spartan North American Championship. 

Also on Saturday and Sunday, kids aged 4 to 13 are encouraged to participate in the Spartan Kids races. Multiple studies show that kids are less active and fit today than their parents were at the same age. Spartan recognizes the benefits of physical activity and they are dedicated to encouraging this for the next generation through their kids obstacle course races. “Yes, it’s about fitness but it’s also mental; Kids gain a huge amount of confidence from participating. You get a kid who is so shy and he comes out of one of our races and has done something he never thought possible. You can see the change in them after they finish a race," said Justin Ross, Spartan Kids Race Director.  

The previous Saraland Spartan events were among the first Spartan locations to host a Friday night pre-race party and the tradition continues with "A Taste of Saraland" on Friday, March 15.  Hosted by the Saraland Chamber of Commerce, the Shell Chemicals Spartan Pre-Race Party will be held Under the Big Tent at the Saraland Chamber office from 5-8 PM. Guests can sample local food while enjoying live entertainment. Admission to the party will be free to all participants and those associated with the race.  “On behalf of the Saraland Area Chamber of Commerce and its Board of Directors, I would like to welcome all of the Spartan athletes and spectators to our North Mobile Community. We look forward to another great event. See you at the pre-race party!  Aroo!“ said Jeff Schmitz, President, Saraland Area Chamber of Commerce. 

"Saraland is very excited to welcome back the Spartan Race to our city. We are honored to host this national event and are pleased to be able to provide a quality venue for the many competitors who will be attending.  This will be the first time that Saraland has hosted a two-day Spartan Race which is adding to the excitement.  We appreciate our close partnership with the Mobile Sports Authority which has helped bring Spartan back to Saraland," stated Saraland Mayor Howard Rubenstein.

“Since 2014, when the idea of bringing a Spartan Race to Mobile County was originally visited, the Saraland community led by Mayor Howard Rubenstein, Saraland City Council President Joe McDonald, the entire Saraland Chamber organization, as well as the engaged local committee and several of our local Spartan competitors, have all been extremely dedicated in helping us bring Spartan to our area!” said MSA Executive Director Danny Corte. “I also want to recognize the Hatters Pond LLC group for agreeing to accommodate the Spartan Race on their property."

"Saraland and Mobile County are truly special places that have become part of the Spartan family. Our return has been long anticipated, and we are excited to showcase your new festival activation and venue," said Cherie Bortnick, Senior Director of Development, Spartan Race, Inc.

For those not yet ready for an OCR, but who want to be part of the action, numerous volunteers are needed for site build-up and race day activities. If interested, please contact Rita-Nicole Wright with the North Mobile YMCA at rwright@ysal.org.  To register for the event, please visit www.Spartan.com.      

Founded in 2010, Spartan Race is the global leader in the sport of obstacle racing. Spartan Races cater to individuals looking to test their physical limits and change their frame of reference for what they can accomplish - from everyday people looking to get off the couch and lead a fitter lifestyle, to elite endurance athletes who seek the ultimate physical test. Currently, Spartan Race offers three primary race formats, “Sprint” (3+ miles; 20+ obstacles), “Super” (8+ miles; 24+ obstacles) and “Beast” (13+ miles; 30+ obstacles), along with a shorter format race for children. Unlike other obstacle-focused events, Spartan Races are always timed and competitors are encouraged to complete each of the primary race distances to achieve “Trifecta” status, earning medals for each finish. The Spartan Race urges you to change your life today by signing up to race at www.spartan.com.