Getting out of your comfort zone means different things to different people. For some, it means getting back into shape. For others, it means bringing their top-level, maximum-intensity training to the brink of insanity. At Spartan Race, we respect our athletes no matter where they fall on the spectrum.

With three ways to race, you may be asking yourself: Which one is right for me? With Spartans like you in mind, we have put together this guide to help you know for sure.

The Elite Category

These athletes are competing to win prize money, test themselves against the best of the best, attract potential sponsors, and rise to the top of the Spartan Race Point Series.

Elite Racers, like all Spartan athletes, commit to flawless sportsmanship and adhere strictly to the race rules and guidelines. Racers who fail to follow these guidelines risk disqualification.

The Competitive Category

Our newest option, the Competitive category is designed to address the gap between our Open class racers and our Elites. Competitive racers will be expected to follow the same rules and standards as the Elite racers. But these racers compete for glory and bragging rights, not money.

As a major component of the rapid evolution of obstacle racing as a sport, Competitive racers will start immediately following the Elite waves, taking advantage of a wide open course while competing in our new Regional Point Series. Competitive racers commit to sportsmanship, honoring rules and guidelines, and performing at their best.

In addition, racers in the Competitive category will be able to track their results throughout the race season to see how they stack up against their peers. At the end of the year, age group points winners will be crowned in each of the following regions: North, South, Central, and West.

The Age Group Category

The Age Group category is for everyone, period. Weekend warriors, novice athletes, first-time racers, and teams are all welcome here. The Age Group category offers the same opportunity as the Competitive and Elite categories to get far outside your comfort zone, test your body’s limits, and experience the awesome rush of the finish line. However, there’s no pressure to push your pace.

Which category is for you?

We provide the options; you make the choice. With categories tailored to suit every level of competition, our 2018 racing series leaves no Spartan behind.

Regardless of which category you race in, all finishes will count toward the completion of a Spartan Trifecta or Spartan Delta.

21 free meals planned for you. Download a free Spartan Meal Plan.