2021 Spartan North American Championship: The Dates, Details, and How to Qualify
Spartan will once again return to the rugged mountains of Squaw Valley — the host of the 1960 Winter Olympics — in North Lake Tahoe, Calif. for the 2021 Spartan North American Championship. The regional championship event, scheduled for Sept. 25, is the culmination of the United States and Canada’s National Series, bringing the best obstacle course racers on the continent to the picturesque destination with $62,000 in prize money on the line.
“The Spartan Beast in North Lake Tahoe is feared and respected by Spartans across the globe,” said Spartan founder and CEO Joe De Sena. “Instead of sticking with the status quo, we're doing what we do best and making one of the hardest events on the North American race calendar a stepping stone to the World Championship, putting our athletes to the ultimate test. We’re excited to get back to competitive racing and can’t wait to bring the North American Championship to Tahoe.”
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One of the Most Challenging Courses in the World
As the former home of the Spartan World Championship, the mountainous course at Squaw Valley has long been regarded as the most challenging event on the Spartan event calendar. Freezing temperatures, snow, rain, and just about everything that Mother Nature has to offer meets 6,224 feet of elevation and rugged, technical terrain. The unforgiving event unfolds across the half-marathon Spartan Beast, with 30 obstacles including the Twister, Stairway to Sparta, and the Tyrolean Traverse.
How to Qualify
To qualify for the Elite and Age Group North American Championship, athletes must place in the top 10 in an Elite or Age Group heat in any Spartan Sprint, Spartan Super, Spartan Beast, or Spartan Ultra in the U.S. or Canada between Aug. 26, 2019-Sept. 24, 2021. The 10 men’s and women’s Age Group categories are: 14-17, 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, and 60-plus.
Related: 10 Spartan Races You Absolutely HAVE to Do in 2021 (and What Makes Them So Epic)
In addition to the Elite and Age Group competitors, the event offers opportunities for non-qualified athletes to hit the racecourse with open Spartan Beast heats throughout the weekend. There are also open heats for the 50K, 60-plus obstacle Ultra on Saturday morning.
The Road to Abu Dhabi
The North American Championship is a qualifying event for the 2021 Spartan World Championship in Abu Dhabi, which will take place Dec. 3-5. For the first time in Spartan history, the event will be staged outside of the United States, and the best obstacle course racers in the world will descend on a remarkable course in Liwa.
Related: Why We Chose Abu Dhabi As the Site of the 2021 Spartan World Championship
Safety Is Still First
With safety being Spartan’s No. 1 priority, the brand will implement modified operating procedures to maximize the safety of racers, spectators, and all event personnel. Spartan will continue to follow CDC safety guidelines and work closely with local officials and safety advisors, which could result in alterations to events on a case-by-case basis.