2020 Spartan World Championship Postponed to 2021 Due to Travel Restrictions
The 2020 Spartan World Championship, initially scheduled for Dec. 4-5, has been postponed until 2021. The unfortunate postponement is due to the international travel restrictions amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 Spartan World Championship will take place outside of Abu Dhabi on Dec. 3-4, 2021.
The championship weekend will feature the Elite Spartan World Championship, the Spartan Team World Championship, and the Spartan Kids World Championship. It will also mark the first time that the event will be staged outside of the United States. In addition, the new date coincides with the 50th anniversary of UAE National Day.
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“It is with the utmost regret that Spartan, alongside the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, has made the decision to postpone this year’s world championship event scheduled in the epic location,” Spartan founder and CEO Joe De Sena said. “Our athletes have trained hard to qualify and prepare for the weekend’s events, and due to global travel restrictions and safety concerns, we made the call to ensure our racers from across the world can participate."
Following the same format as the originally-scheduled event weekend, the 2021 Spartan World Championship will feature the best obstacle course racers in the world on a remarkable desert course outside of Abu Dhabi, in Liwa.
The main event, set to take place on Dec. 3, is the half-marathon, 30-obstacle Beast, which features a mix of high-speed running, leg-burning steep climbs, and breathtaking scenery.
The Biggest Spartan Festival EVER
Off the course, attendees will have the opportunity to experience a one-of-a-kind weekend 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 more.
Related: The Biggest Event on the 2020 Spartan Calendar Is LIVE. Here's What You Need to Know.
Preceding the marquee event on Friday is the rescheduled third annual Spartan Kids World Championship. A gated event, the Spartan Kids World Championship is open to children ages 10 to 14 who have placed in the top three in their age and gender group at Spartan Kids races around the world. In addition, the weekend includes the Team World Championship, an event first introduced in 2017.
Open Beast, Open Kids, and More
The race weekend also offers opportunities for non-qualified athletes to hit the course. Saturday morning and afternoon will kick off with Open Beast heats, as well as Open heat Kids races of varying distances. Ten competitive Age Group heats will also take place on Saturday morning.
Related: How to Build Strength to DOMINATE Your Next Virtual Race
“With some of our live events taking place in Europe and Asia, we’re seeing the Spartan community’s eagerness to get back on the course, and we cannot wait to return in 2021 with our biggest world championship ever,” De Sena said.
Registration Details
Athletes who have already registered for the 2020 event will be automatically deferred to the 2021 event, and all others can register and learn more at Spartan.com.
