Spartan Hosts Its Marquee Event Weekend December 3-5, Marking the Endurance Brand’s First World Championship Outside of the US 

 BOSTON, Mass. (January 19, 2021) –  SPARTAN®, the world’s leading endurance sports and extreme wellness brand, has announced a $115,000 USD prize purse for the 2021 Spartan World Championship™, taking place December 3-5, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The purse will be split evenly across the men’s and women’s fields, with $57,500 USD split across the top 10 finishers in each (see below for prize breakdown). The Spartan World Championship hosted by Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) marks the first time the event will be staged outside the United States. 

“With everyone in lockdown in 2020, this race means more than it ever has before,” said Spartan founder and CEO Joe De Sena. “Following the postponement of the 2020 Spartan World Championship, the much-anticipated return to racing, paired with the striking location in the desert outside Abu Dhabi, will set the stage for the most epic World Championship in Spartan history. We’re grateful for the continued support of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Council’s General Secretary, Mr. Aref Hamad Al Awani.”

The 2021 Spartan World Championship hosted by ADSC will see the best obstacle course racers in the world descend on a remarkable course in Liwa. In addition to the Elite Spartan World Championship, the weekend features the Spartan Team World Championship and the Spartan Kids World Championship. 

The main event, taking place Friday, December 3, is the half-marathon SPARTAN BEAST®, which features a mix of high-speed running, leg-burning steep climbs and breathtaking sceneries with more than 30 signature Spartan obstacles including the Spear Throw, Barbed Wire Crawl, Helix and Rope Climb. 

“I’m excited to experience the differences in landscape and culture in Abu Dhabi,” said two-time Spartan Ultra World Champion Ryan Atkins. “Racing there will be incredible!”

“I am super excited to race for the World Championship title in Abu Dhabi,” said European OCR Athlete Richard Hynek. “Weather conditions are completely different from previous years in Lake Take, California. The desert will test us all!”

Off the course, attendees can experience a one-of-a-kind weekend full of incredible experiences infused with local Emirati culture, including the biggest festival Spartan has ever created. This epic event will include desert and city activities featuring traditional Emirati food, cultural shows, extreme dune rides, yoga classes, a Parade of Nations, closing fireworks and much, much more.

Preceding the marquee event on Friday is the rescheduled third annual Spartan Kids World Championship™, a gated event, open to children ages 10 to 14 who have placed top three in their age and gender group at SPARTAN KIDS® races around the world. 

In addition, the weekend includes the Spartan Team World Championship™, an event first introduced in 2017. 

The race weekend also offers opportunities for non-qualified athletes to hit the racecourse. Saturday morning and afternoon will kick off with Open SPARTAN BEAST heats, as well as Open heat SPARTAN KIDS races of varying distances. Ten competitive Age Group heats will take place Saturday morning. 

Athletes who already registered for the 2020 Spartan World Championship event will be automatically deferred to the 2021 Spartan World Championship event, and all others can register and learn more at Spartan.com. 

ELITE SPARTAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZE BREAKDOWN
MENS	WOMEN’S
1. $20,000	1. $20,000
2. $15,000	2. $15,000
3. $7,500	3. $7,500
4. $4,000	4. $4,000
5. $3,000	5. $3,000
6. $2,000	6. $2,000
7. $1,800	7. $1,800
8. $1,600	8. $1,600
9. $1,400	9. $1,400
10. $1,200	10. $1,200