Big Bear Today Magazine May 2022

Page 6—May 2022
Mud, obstacles task Spartan athletes
Big Bear Today
Spartan athletes are known for overcoming
signature obstacles like wall
climbs, ladders, mud, even flames of fire.
Covid was one they didn’t get past,
the virus twice postponing the Spartan
Trifecta in Big Bear. Now the event is back
on May 14-15 at Snow Summit with four
races designed to push top athletes to their
limits, on challenging courses worthy of
the namesake Greek city-state warriors for
which the event is named. There are tamer
events too, namely the Saturday 10K night
run and kid’s race.
Big Bear’s elevation
is enough to task
even the fittest warriors,
but these
courses take it to another
level with
plenty of hills mixed
in, adding to the 1,200
feet of elevation gain
that reaches the 8,200
ft. top of Snow Summit.
Elite athletes will
savor the opportunity
to complete the Spartan
Trifecta in one
weekend: Sprint 5K,
Super 10K and Beast
Fire, barbed wires and more await top athletes at Spartan Big Bear Trifecta
21K. Those completing all three qualify for
the 2022 Trifecta World Championship
held in Sparta, Greece.
The competition attracts elite athletes
from around the country, waves of 150 entrants
heading out every 15 minutes for a
steady stream of action. The obstacles are
demanding enough that some entrants pay
extra to attend the Friday walk-through
where the intricacies of each wall, ladder
and such are explained and there’s pre-race
walk-thrus and practice.
On Saturday it’s the 21K Spartan
Beast, once the most difficult race of the
weekend and still the signature event. It’s
a half-marathon, over 13 miles in distance
and 30 signature Spartan obstacles to overcome.
Racers have to climb up ski runs,
under barbed wire, even cross flames.
Beasts head out all day starting at 8 a.m.,
elites beginning a half-hour earlier.
The Ultra race cranks the challenge
up a notch with 50K course and 60 custom
obstacles. That’s about 31 brutal miles
up on the most demanding terrain. Ultra
racers even have to get up earlier, heading
out on Saturday starting at 6 a.m.
Sunday sees the Spartan Sprint, designed
for first timers to seasoned veterans.
The 5K course still packs 20 obstacles,
a fast-paced adventure through rugged terrain
that’s the beginning steps in Spartan
development.
The Spartan Super 10K is also on
Sunday, double the distance with 25 obstacles.
A sizeable cash purse is sure to attract
top athletes from around the country,
including those seeking to qualify for the
2021 world championships held in Abu
Dhabi.
Both days see Spartan kids races with
half-mile, one and two mile courses and
scaled down obstacles. Along with their
own mini festival area filled with games
and children’s challenges.
The finish festival features lifestyle
exhibits, vendors, music, food and more.
There’s access to some of the obstacles on
course, including the epic Gladiator pit and
finish line, and guests can test their own
physical conditioning with fitness challenges
like pull-ups, slosh pipe, Kaiser and
traverse wall. Festival admission is $20.
Snow Summit’s Scenic Skychair and base
camp activities will be available as well.
Call (800) 4 BIG BEAR.