Spartan Race races 2026/27

Spartan Race is one of the best known obstacle race series worldwide and is known for its tiered distance system. From the short Sprint course to the long Beast distance, there is a race here for almost every fitness level.

Format and distances

The series is split into three main distances: Sprint as the shortest course, Super as the mid length distance, and Beast as the long, demanding variant with the most obstacles. Anyone completing all three distances within a season earns Trifecta status, a popular goal among regular racers. According to the organiser, many events also add a Kids Race, with some venues offering further formats such as 100M, MARCH 300 60K, Agoge or HH4HR. Exact course lengths and obstacle counts differ by venue and are set by the organiser, correct as of the organiser’s information, worth checking on the official site before entering.

Countries and locations

According to the event calendar, Spartan Race is mainly held in France, the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy, with individual dates in Croatia, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia, Greece, Portugal, Andorra, Austria, Finland and the Netherlands. Host locations include Badminton, Carcassonne, Encamp, Grantham, Gubbio, Henley-on-Thames, Hvar, Jablines, Krvavec, Kulmbach, Lahti, Morzine Avoriaz, Munich, Nevegal and Orešje. For current dates and venues, see the Spartan race finder.

Obstacles and what makes it different

Typical Spartan Race obstacles include rope climbs, spear throw, wall climbs and carry obstacles with sandbags or water buckets. What defines the series is the burpee penalty: anyone who fails an obstacle must complete a set number of burpees before racing on. This rule sets Spartan Race apart from series that simply let athletes bypass an obstacle, and makes mental toughness a core part of the race.

Who it suits

The Sprint distance suits beginners with a solid base level of fitness looking for their first taste of OCR. Super and Beast suit runners with more experience and a higher endurance and strength level, as course length and obstacle density increase significantly. Those looking for team spirit will find relay and team formats within Spartan Race too, where the group supports each other along the way.

Entry tips

If you have a specific distance and location in mind, register early since popular dates can sell out. Before a first entry, check the current rulebook on spartan.com, which lists the exact rules on obstacles and penalties, correct as of the 2025/26 season.

Comparing Spartan Race to other series

Compared with Tough Mudder, which leans more on team spirit and less on time results, Spartan Race is more competitive and consistently ranks times and placings. Compared with XLETIX and Strong Viking, Spartan Race stands out through its three tier distance system and fixed burpee rule. For an overview of all series, see the series overview.

Training preparation

Anyone preparing specifically for Spartan Race benefits from a mix of running endurance, functional strength and practice on typical obstacles like ropes and walls. For the burpee rule in particular, it pays to master the movement under fatigue in training, since it must be performed cleanly even after long running sections.

Anyone aiming for Trifecta status is best off planning from the start to tackle all three distances spread across the season, rather than stacking them close together. That leaves enough time for recovery between races.

Ready to start? Find upcoming events via the race finder or sign up for training and preparation updates, an account is all that takes.