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| Seattle, Washington |
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Just east of Seattle, the PNW mist cranked up the challenge, turning the wooded trails at the Equestrian Center into a slick battleground for 5,200 Spartans. Racers endured a bone-chilling water crossing in the Snohomish River during Saturday's Super that stole breath and tested every ounce of grit. If you weren't there to witness the PNW grit and glory firsthand, you truly missed out and with Spartan returning for a full Trifecta Weekend this fall, you won't want to make that mistake twice.
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| Fayetteville, North Carolina |
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McCormick Farms may look charming, but nearly 9,800 Spartans descended upon Spring Lake, ready to wage war on its deceptively brutal landscape this past weekend. They battled through rugged river banks, clawed out of quarries, and pushed screaming legs through dense, wooded trails, with a touch of Sunday rain making the earth slick and unforgiving. And out there, proving age is just a number when you’re built with pure grit, an 80-year-old bada** tackled the course, showing thousands what true Spartan spirit looks like. Every single finish line was etched in pure, hard-earned grit.
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| Sacramento, California |
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Sacramento was a pure crucible of grit this weekend as over 1,400 athletes descended for a massive DEKA showdown, headlined by the first-ever DEKA FIT Ultra to hit the West Coast. The Ultra was an absolute beast, with 57-year-old Eduard Kourat delivering a masterclass, grinding through five DEKA FITs in a row for a stunning 3:18:39 victory. At the same time, Hannah Franciosa took the women's elite Ultra title in 3:41:31. Meanwhile, the Age Group Ultra field showcased incredible spirit with athletes like a deaf competitor, a man who flew from the UK just for this event, and another who accidentally signed up for the 25K Ultra instead of the 5K DEKA FIT, but went on to conquer the endurance event with a smile.
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| Bear Mountain, New York |
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Bear Mountain State Park lived up to every letter of its wild name this weekend, as Spartans didn't just battle rugged, technical trails – some racers reported spotting actual bears on the course! Around 1,300 Spartans threw themselves at this notoriously unforgiving mountain, navigating relentless terrain that demanded raw nerve and skill with every step. The skies held their peace for most of the day, only to unleash nearby thunderstorms towards the end, adding a primal urgency for those still out there fighting for the finish.
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| Tampa, Florida |
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Speaking of bears, Raymond James Stadium wasn't just a football field this past weekend; it was ground zero for an absolute energy explosion as Tampa, Florida hosted the second annual 2 Bears 5K. The "2 Bears, 1 Cave" podcast hosts, Bert Kreischer and Tom Segura, led the charge, backed by an unbelievable lineup including Jelly Roll, Jason Kelce, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers themselves. Racers didn't just pound the pavement; they even ran through the legendary pirate ship, fueled by an electric atmosphere that had the whole stadium buzzing. Spartan will be back this weekend for the Raymond James Stadium Stadion with the same energy.
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| Bielsko-Biała, Poland |
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The historic Polish town of Bielsko-Biała became a pure Spartan battleground this past weekend. A formidable force of racers launched themselves directly into these unforgiving peaks, ready to conquer every rugged trail and demanding climb. With the sun blazing and offering no excuses, those "perfect views" from the course were earned solely through sweat and burning lungs as Spartans battled the mountain itself.
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