1 Cool Fact About Every Spartan Race in the U.S. in 2020 (Part 3)
With the year in full swing, we know you are as motivated as ever to run your next Spartan Race and close out the year right. 2020 has proven to be unique: bigger, badder, and better than ever before. To celebrate (and inspire you!), we’ve compiled a list of epic Spartan Race facts, history, and special insights about each event—in addition to pulling out the stops for venues that are brand new, as well as some that are Spartan mainstays. No matter if you’re an OCR veteran or new to Spartan, there is an event for everyone. Read on for one badass fact about our final set of races of the year to get stoked and amp up your training.
Click here to check out PART 1 in this series
Spartan Races 2020: Cool Things to Know About Every Event
Seattle North Beast and Sprint, hosted by Snohomish County
WHEN: Sep. 12-13 WHERE: Meadow Wood Equestrian Center, Snohomish, WA
Everything about this course is tough, from the epic cliff climb to the stunning views of the Cascade Mountains and sparkling blue waters of Puget Sound. If you want to tackle one of the most legitimate tests of 2020, this is the race for you.
Michigan Sprint and Super Weekend
WHEN: Sep. 12-13 WHERE: Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, MI
The iconic Michigan International Speedway is the site for the Sprint and Super races in Brooklyn, MI. Opened in 1968, this venue hosts several NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, including the FireKeepers Casino 400. It has also been the venue for the Michigan state meet in cross-country running, which proves that it’s more than just a place for cars to race fast: it’s the perfect setting to get muddy and go hard.
Related: Spartan Race Types: Find the Right OCR for You
Vermont Ultra, Beast, and Sprint
WHEN: Sep. 12-13 WHERE: Killington Ski Resort, Killington, VT
This is the birthplace of the first Beast course and the first Spartan World Championship. But aside from the legacy, racers might also remember it as the venue with the Tarzan Swing obstacle. Innovations abound: as one of the original venues expect Killington to offer tough, gritty challenges around every corner.
Spartan City - Kissimmee, hosted by Experience Kissimmee
WHEN: Sept. 19 WHERE: Osceola Heritage Park, Kissimmee, FL
15 minutes from Disney World Resort and Universal Studios Orlando—and the inaugural urban playground for the Spartan City series—the Kissimmee event is a special one, challenging enough for veterans and new racers alike. The entertainment value is high when you combine the tough Spartan challenges in an urban locale with plenty to do to recover once the event is over.
Whistler Super and Sprint Weekend
WHEN: Sep. 19-20 WHERE: Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler, BC
The largest ski resort in North America sits between the summits of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains in British Columbia. It’s here that the Whistler Super and Sprint distances will be contested on the Canadian West Coast. Remote, surrounded by the best natural setting pretty much anywhere, and full of difficult climbs and descents, this event is sure to to have Spartans thirsty for a post-race beer.
Click here to check out PART 2 in this series
North Lake Tahoe Ultra and Beast Weekend
WHEN: Sep. 26-27 WHERE: North Lake Tahoe, Olympic Valley, CA
Greatness awaits at the Lake Tahoe Ultra and Beast, as it is tough enough to lay claim as a Spartan World Championship site alongside being the venue for the 1960 Winter Olympic Games. Nothing will come easy at this course, so Spartans should come ready to labor for their medal, with arduous climbs; wet, muddy crawls; and a fleet of other tough challenges on the mountain.
Tri-State New Jersey Super and Sprint Weekend
WHEN: Oct. 3-4 WHERE: Mountain Creek Resort, Vernon, NJ
Spartans get the chance to return to Mountain Creek—home to the largest ski mountain in New Jersey. Challenging vertical climbs await, as well as the inverse: equally-challenging descents. To cope with this, racers should remember to have a marathon mentality: knowing when to conserve or go all-out.
Midwest Beast and Sprint Weekend
WHEN: Oct. 3-4 WHERE: Badlands Off Road Park, Attica, IN
Badlands Off Road Park in Attica is the venue of choice, which features over 800 acres of off-road playground and is also within range of both Chicago and Indianapolis. Sand dunes, wooded trails and creek crossings are a few of the natural elements featured, which pair nicely with the gritty crawls, climbs, and throws racers expert to encounter along the miles of course.
Related: 6 Reasons to Tackle a Spartan Race for the First Time in 2020
Atlanta Super and Sprint Weekend
WHEN: Oct. 3-4 WHERE: Georgia International Horse Park - Steeplechase Area, Conyers, GA
Georgia International Horse Park is located at the address 1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway, which was the home to the 1996 Olympic Equestrian events. The venue also includes the (in)famous Spartan Cliff Climb. For racers who appreciate a healthy combination of speed and strength obstacles, this weekend has both in spades.
Spartan City - Ocean City, hosted by Ocean City
WHEN: Oct. 17 WHERE: Hugh T. Cropper Inlet, Ocean City, MD
What could be better than a Spartan party on the Boardwalk on a Saturday night? Race hard and then celebrate harder in one of the most entertaining locations to contest a Spartan event this year.
Ontario - Blue Mountain Trifecta Weekend
WHEN: Oct. 17-18 WHERE: Blue Mountain Resort, Ontario
An opportunity for a trifecta medal in the final Canadian event of 2020 might be all the motivation you need—but trust us when we say it won’t be easy—it’s the biggest public ski area in the province with 365 skiable acres, and has a 720 foot vertical climb available to summit.
Dallas Ultra, Beast, and Sprint Weekend
WHEN: Oct. 24-25 WHERE: Rough Creek Lodge, Glen Rose, TX
A proven venue both scenic and challenging, the Dallas Spartan also has a great partnership with the Chris Kyle Foundation (a nonprofit organization focused on restoring military and first responder communities by keeping families together), and also featured a K-9 event in 2019.
Socal Ultra, Beast, and Sprint Weekend
WHEN: Oct. 24-25 WHERE: Tejon Ranch, Lebec, CA
Located just an hour north of the Los Angeles metropolitan area is the largest privately-owned course on the Spartan calendar––with the majority of Tejon Ranch being untouched land. Racers will climb steep inclines, rugged mountains, oak covered rolling hills, and endure heavily wooded valleys. It’s a legitimate test away from manicured trails or established boundaries.
Spartan Stadion - Citizens Bank Park
WHEN: Oct. 31 WHERE: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
Halloween at the home of the Philadelphia Phillies. Things will most certainly be wild at this event.
Virginia Sprint and Super Weekend
WHEN: Nov. 7-8 WHERE: Infinity Downs and Oak Ridge Farm, Arrington, VA
Home to the annual four-day LOCKN' music festival, the venue of Infinity Downs played host to the first OCR on site in 2019. In 2020 expect things to be tougher, and more fun than before, with a few surprises as well.
Related: How to Get Ready for a Spartan Race
Spartan Stadion - Wrigley Field
WHEN: Nov. 7 WHERE: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
One of the oldest and most iconic baseball stadiums in existence plays host to another epic Spartan Stadion event in 2020. From the bleachers to the field to the green ivy, there will be an all-access race on tap as Spartans return to Wrigleyville.
Spartan Stadion - Fenway Park
WHEN: Nov. 14-15 WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston, MA
For the first time ever, Spartans of all stripes can compete inside the legendary Fenway Park for a Stadion OCR event. The oldest (and most historic) venue in Major League Baseball, racers will experience the tradition of the site from all vantage points. Expect to have more than just the Green Monster after you––this event is in the same city as Spartan HQ so you know the challenge factor will be up!
Laughlin Weekend, hosted by Laughlin Tourism Commission
WHEN: Nov. 14-15 WHERE: Laughlin Events Park, Laughlin, NV
Home to the very first Spartan Para-Championship, racers will have the chance to compete right on the Colorado River in a beautiful, but unforgiving, course.
Sacramento Super and Sprint Weekend
WHEN: Nov. 21-22 WHERE: Van Vleck Ranch, Sacramento, CA
One of Spartan’s most classic venues, race the rutted trails of Van Vleck Ranch and run in the footsteps of history—especially if it gets muddy with some late-fall rain.
Carolinas Ultra, Beast and Sprint Weekend
WHEN: Nov. 21-22 WHERE: Tryon International Equestrian Center, Mill Spring, NC
In years past, the site for Spartan Carolinas has featured dining on site, 100s of miles of equestrian trails, and some tough, unique obstacles. This year, Tyron International Equestrian Center awaits, with immaculately groomed arenas and expansive terrain that typically plays host to the world's best horseback riders. Join us for what might be the most interesting stop on the Spartan calendar this year.
Related: Spartan Race Training: How To Get Fit For Your 1st Spartan Race FAST
Spartan Stadion - Oracle Park
WHEN: Dec. 5 WHERE: Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
One of the most beautiful stadium venues in the country, San Francisco’s finest will be on display for this last Stadion event of 2020. Enjoy amazing views from atop the bleachers, and downtown entertainment and dining mere blocks away.
Los Angeles Sprint Weekend
WHEN: Dec. 12-13 WHERE: Castaic Lake State Recreation Area, Castaic, CA
Castaic Lake just so happens to be the filming location for the most recent Power Rangers movie installment. It also boasts some tough natural interference to compliment the Spartan obstacles over 5K.
Central Florida Beast and Sprint Weekend
WHEN: Dec. 12-13 WHERE: Central Florida, Mulberry, FL
In the final Beast of the year, racers should be gifted a warm and temperate setting to compete in December. Located halfway between Tampa and Orlando, foothills and weaving forest paths await all who hope to enter the holiday season on a high note.