Spartan World Championship returns to Abu Dhabi in 2022 with more challenging obstacle course

The Spartan World Championship - a two-day event to be held at a new site in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi - will commence on 3rd December and will offer participating athletes a tougher obstacle course than experienced previously.

This is the second year that the capital will be hosting the race organised by Spartan, a leading endurance sports and extreme wellness brand.

The race venue Al Wathba - a Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa - is located half an hour outside of Abu Dhabi City. The course will be plotted out in desert terrain.

The best Spartan athletes - who will qualify throughout the racing season - will go head to head in the men’s and women’s individual World Championship Super on 3rd December, competing for more than $125,000 in total prize money.

The Team World Championship Super will be held on Sunday 4th December.

However, the program wasn't developed for only elite athletes and offers families and Spartans of all ages the chance to compete in various tournaments, including the Age Group World Championship Beast, Open Beast, Open Team Super and Kids Open.

Joe De Sena, Spartan founder and Chief Executive enthused “we’re excited to be back in Abu Dhabi after an unreal first year in the desert. We’re putting together a new course that will be one of our hardest yet - whoever leaves with the title is going to earn it.

“But just as important is the opportunity for all our Spartans to challenge themselves on the same course as the Elites. If you join us in Abu Dhabi, you’ll leave a different person. You’ll unlock your physical and mental potential. It’s possible thanks to the continued support of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.”

Athletes in the Elite and competitive Age Group divisions can qualify through race series held in 14 countries, two regional championships, or at various wild card events throughout the year.

There are no qualifications for the Open Beast (set over 21 kilometres with 30 obstacles), Open Team Super, Open Super (10k, 25 obstacles) or Open Kids divisions.

Aref Hamad Al Awani, Abu Dhabi Sports Council General Secretary, said that hosting the Spartan World Championship fits within the council’s philosophy of supporting and promoting a healthy lifestyle and adds “it was a great honour and prestige for Abu Dhabi to host the Spartan World Championship, and we are absolutely thrilled the endurance event is returning to the capital city for the second time in two years

“This event allows the elite athletes as well as participants at all levels, from men, women and the juniors, to compete. It encourages and creates awareness among the community to lead an active lifestyle to prepare for the competition.”

Spartan is the world's largest obstacle racing company with over 300 events in 45 countries engaging more than seven million participants and was founded in 2010 by Chief Executive Joe De Sena.

The Spartan lifestyle encompasses a global championship series, training and nutrition programs, health and wellness products and a range of media entities.

Race events include three distances: the 5K 20 obstacle “Sprint;” 10K, 25 obstacle “Super;” and 21K , 30 obstacle “Beast,” which, when completed in one race season earns competitors the coveted “Trifecta” medal. All races are timed and feature Elite, Competitive and Open heats, along with Spartan Kids races designed to challenge youth ages four to 14 with special obstacles and trails.

In February 2020, Spartan acquired the U.S. business and assets of obstacle course racing brand Tough Mudder, ensuring the future of the company while bringing employees back to work to produce events for the 2020 race season. An agreement was reached between Spartan and the trustee managing Tough Mudder through its involuntary chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding and was approved by the judge assigned to the case.

At the time of acquisition De Sena noted "Tough Mudder has built an incredible company and we’re pleased to have reached an agreement that brings its employees back to work, its passionate community back to the race course, and allows the brand to thrive.

"We’re excited to work with the Tough Mudder team under the Spartan family as we grow our fitness footprint and further our mission to transform lives across the world."

The acquisitions of Tough Mudder in the U.S. and UK solidified Spartan’s position as the leader in OCR and endurance sports.

Athletes can register for the Abu Dhabi World Championships, and find out more information, at race.spartan.com/en/race/championships/world

Images courtesy Spartan