Back in 2021, Highly-Anticipated La Ruta Mountain Bike Race Sells Out for First Time in 10 Years
![Back in 2021, Highly-Anticipated La Ruta Mountain Bike Race Sells Out for First Time in 10 Years](http://www.spartan.com/cdn/shop/articles/la-ruta-1240_1200x.jpg?v=1610558000)
Following the first cancellation in its 28-year history, the 2021 La Ruta mountain bike stage race — scheduled to take place on Nov. 4-6, 2021 — is already sold out. This marks the first sellout for La Ruta in 10 years, and comes after its founders and organizers, Roman and Florencia Urbina, entered a strategic partnership with Spartan.
La Ruta, the hardest mountain bike race in the world, traverses Costa Rica from coast to coast, from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic, over a grueling three-day period.
“Canceling the 2020 La Ruta event was the most difficult decision we faced since founding the event nearly three decades ago,” said Román Urbina, the founder of La Ruta and the godfather of mountain bike stage races. “We were ready to host our biggest event to date, thanks to our partnership with Spartan, and then the pandemic hit.
More: Spartan Acquires La Ruta, an Elite Mountain Bike Race Across the Coasts of Costa Rica
"While it was a hard decision, we had the health and safety of our team, racers, and our country at the forefront of our hearts. We’re optimistic for 2021 and so encouraged by, and grateful for, the support of the mountain bike community following the sellout. We cannot wait to get out on the trails!”
'I Can't Think of a Better Sign of What's to Come in 2021'
The 28th edition of La Ruta will be held Nov. 4-6, 2021 in Costa Rica, hosting a mix of locals and top riders from around that world. For the first time, La Ruta will include a $50,000 cash purse for the elite category racers.
“I can’t think of a better sign of what’s to come in 2021,” said Spartan founder and CEO Joe De Sena. “The sold-out field of La Ruta — paired with strong registration numbers across Spartan, Tough Mudder, and DEKA events — shows the global endurance sports community’s readiness to get safely back at it. I’m proud that we’re able to share in the success with Román and Florencia.”
The Origin Story of the Hardest Mountain Bike Race on Earth
La Ruta began when Román Urbina, an elite Costa Rican athlete and adventurer, gathered a group of 17 friends to retrace the steps of the three conquistadores who, in the 1560s, began a 20-year journey through the beautiful and treacherous mountains of Costa Rica. When he finished, Román was more convinced than ever that hard challenges can engender truth, understanding, and self-knowledge that can push anyone to greatness. Determined to turn the life-changing trip into an epic annual event, he created La Ruta, and the rest is history.
Safety Is Still Our No. 1 Priority
With safety being Spartan and La Ruta’s No. 1 priority, organizers may implement modified operating procedures to maximize the safety of racers, spectators, and all event personnel. Spartan will continue to follow global health and safety guidelines and work closely with local officials and safety advisors, which could result in alterations to events on a case-by-case basis.
To learn more about the race, click here.