The Spartan Stadion
The action-packed, 5K course of the Spartan Stadion makes it the perfect event for those looking to begin their Spartan journey. Easily accessible to metropolitan areas, you’ll sprint through sloping walkways, navigate winding corridors and scale up hundreds of stairs- and that’s before any of the obstacles. Spartan Elite athletes will enjoy testing their speed and agility on an exciting, fast course. The Spartan Stadion has everything from low crawls to rope climbs, from box jumps to sandbag carries. You’ll tackle over 20 unique obstacles, pick up plenty of finisher’s swag and make memories that last a lifetime. Top Elite finishers qualify for big cash prizes. Tackling a Spartan Stadion is the best answer to the question: “What did you do this weekend?”
Taking on a Spartan Stadion is an experience like no other. Between the history of every venue and the unique Stadion obstacles that will keep you on your toes, crossing the finish line is exhilarating. Not to mention, you’ll be racing where professionals play. When you cross the finish line at a Spartan Stadion event, you’ll get a Spartan Stadion Finisher Shirt, a special Spartan Stadion medal and a Spartan Stadion Trifecta wedge. Complete a Stadion, Super and Beast race in one calendar year to complete the ultimate Spartan achievement, the Trifecta.
Nearly 2800 years ago, the Stadion, a massive sprint race, was held at the first-ever Olympic games. A test of speed, strength and willpower, the Stadion was a highly celebrated event, with competitors coming from afar to test their abilities. Today, Spartan honours that tradition, as we take over some of the most famous stadiums around the globe with fierce competition and camaraderie. Whether you are a veteran Spartan looking for a challenge, or a newbie looking to test your skill, the Spartan Stadion offers a wide range of obstacles for every skill level.
The Stadion Obstacles:
Cargo Net Climb
Names: Cargo Net Climb, A-Frame, Bridge
Type of obstacle: Multiple attempts
Description: The A-Frame (Cargo Net Climb) is a tall structure that the participant must climb over using the wobbly cargo net. The obstacle looks like a giant triangular bridge (A-Frame shape) and might be troubling if you are afraid of heights. However, way more menacing than dangerous, this obstacle will test your mental strength. On the other hand, it’s not all brides have a cargo net, and they can be made of wood.
Adductor
Names: Adductor, Thigh Master
Obstacle type: Single attempt
Description: Very similar to the Spartan Gauntlet, this obstacle contains a row of hanging bags (comparable to punching bags). The difference is the participant must navigate through the Adductor without touching the ground. You’ll have to hold on to the bags using your thigh, legs, and arms. Hop on the series of bag and reach for the bell on the other side.
Rules: You have to traverse the obstacle without using the support structure, and you cannot touch the ground before hitting the bell.
Assault Bike
Names: Assault bike, Air Bike, Fan Bike
Obstacle type: Mandatory
Description: This obstacle is mostly seen in Stadium events. The Assault Bikes are a piece of gym equipment that could resemble a mix between an elliptical machine and an exercise bike. The air bike as a massive fan in the front and the resistance of the wind create by the bike, make it challenging for the participant to pedal. Also, those bikes are equipped with an electronic device that calculates the number of calories burned during the exercise.
Rules: During the event, you’ll be asked to burn 10 calories before continuing the race.
Atlas Carry
Names: Atlas Carry, Atlas Stone, Atlas Ball
Type of obstacle: Multiple attempts
Description: The Atlas Carry is an obstacle that involves lifting and carrying a heavy concrete ball. The Atlas ball is picked up from point A and move to point B. Once you reach point B, you put down the stone and perform 5 burpees. Finally, you carry back the Atlas to the starting point.
Rules: You’ll get a 30 burpees punishment if you are enabled to move the Atlas stone or don’t complete the 5 burpees correctly.
Barbed Wire Crawl
Names: Barbed Wire Crawl, Low Crawl
Type of obstacle: Mandatory
Description: The Barbed Wire Crawl is where every runner gets covered with mud because they’ll be crawling in grass, dirt, rocks or water. Depending on the venue, you can also expect to crawl uphill or downhill. Don’t get caught in the barbed wire, and move as close as possible to the ground.
Rules: Participant gets disqualified if they skip the obstacle, or part of it by going over the wire. Also, you must carry all your personal belongings during the cawl obstacles. This means you can’t leave your hydration pack at the starting point.
Box Jumps
Name: Box Jumps
Type of obstacle: Mandatory
Description: Mostly viewed in Stadium events, the box jump is the exact same exercise you would perform at your local CrossFit gym. You must complete the prescribed amount of jumps on top of the wooden box. Starting from the ground, you jump on the box, stand up, and jump/step back into the initial position.
Rules: You must restart the obstacle if you fail to complete all box jumps or neglect to lock your legs while on the top of the box.
Vertical Cargo Net
Name: Vertical Cargo Net, Vertical Cargo 2.0
Type of obstacle: Multiple attempts
Description: The Vertical Cargo is a wall made of cargo nets. Participants: https://youtu.be/YN7QGtmwkcI must climb over the obstacle using the cargo net as a ladder. The Vertical Cargo 2.0 as an extra wooden platform to escalate before the actual cargo net wall.
Rules: You must climb the wall with only the help of the cargo net, and the obstacle support structure can’t be used. Participants can re-try the obstacle if they neglect to climb correctly.
Carry
Names: Pancake Carry, Sandbag Carry, Log Carry, Farmers Carry, Jerry Can Carry, Deadball
Type of obstacle: Mandatory
Description: During a Spartan race you will encounter different obstacles that require carrying a heavy object over a prescribed distance. The most common is the sandbag carry and log carry. Participants must pick up the object from point A, and carry it to point B. During those obstacles, you can expect long hikes uphill.
Rules: The weight must be carried and not dragged through the terrain. Multiple loads carry, such as the farmer’s carry, must be taken at the same time. Failure to bring the object on the designated route, lead to disqualification from the race.
Gauntlet
Names: Gauntlet, Gladiator Gauntlet
Type of obstacle: Multiple attempts
Description: The Gladiator Gauntlet is the easiest obstacle you could find during a Spartan race. Participants must run through the hanging bags, which look like giant punching bags, to reach the other side of the Gauntlet. The obstacle could be inside a water puddle.
Rules: Participants not willing to run through the hangings bags, will get a 30 burpees penalty. Not sure it ever happen in the history of Spartan
Hercules Hoist
Name: Hercules Hoist
Type of obstacle: Multiple attempts
Description: The Hercules Hoist is a strength obstacle that also requires lots of grips. A heavy sandbag is tied to a rope, which is fixed to a pulley, and the participant must pull the weight from the ground to the top.
Rules: Beware not to drop the weight and bring it back to the ground slowly, or you’ll receive a 30 burpees penalty. Also, you must lift the weight without moving away from the fence, and only use your arm to pull the rope. The only help you can get is from putting your feet on the barrier for leverage. But you can’t stand on the fence and use your body weight to lift the weight. On the other hand, some stadium events may have a “no feet on the fence” rule. At any moment you can change lanes and use another rope, by returning the weight to the ground in a controlled movement.
Wall Jump
Names: Wall Jump, Over Wall, 4’, 5’, 6’, 8’ Wall, Hurdles
Type of obstacle: Multiple attempts
Description: During a Spartan race you are sure to encounter walls along the course. Actually, almost every races start with a 3’ wall jump to get into the starting box. During the run, the height of the walls may vary from 4 to 10 feet. To climb those obstacles, all participants must pull themselves to the top using their arms and legs.
Rules: You can’t use the support legs or the straps to climb over the wall, and the kicker is only available for female runners. If you re not able to cross the barrier, you’ll have to perform the 30 mandatory burpees.
Jerry Can Carry
Names: Pancake Carry, Sandbag Carry, Log Carry, Farmers Carry, Jerry Can Carry, Deadball
Type of obstacle: Mandatory
Description: During a Spartan race you will encounter different obstacle who require to carry a heavy object over a prescribed distance. The most common is the sandbag carry and the log carry. Participant must pick up the object from point A, and carry it to point B. During those obstacles, you can expect long hikes uphill.
Rules: The weight must be carried and not dragged through the terrain. Multiple loads carry, such as the farmers carry, must be taken at the same time. Failure to bring the object on the designated route, lead to disqualification from the race.
Jump Rope
Name: Jump Rope
Type of obstacle: Multiple attempts
Description: The Jump Rope is a pretty straightforward obstacle, mostly present in Stadium events. Participants must perform a pre-determined amount of jump rope.
Rules: You can jump the rope in any direction you desire and use 1 or 2 feet (creating a running motion). You must restart the obstacle if you fail to complete the prescribed number of jump ropes or forget to place the band around your legs (if required).
Monkey Bars
Name: Monkey Bars
Type of obstacle: Single attempt
Description: Similar to the jungle gym at your local park, this obstacle is a series of horizontal bars. You must swing like a monkey from one bar to another, and reach the other side.
Rules: Participants must stay under the bars and only use their hands to complete the Monkey Bars. You need to ring the bell on the other side of the Monkey Bars. Once your feet leave the ground, you are committed to that lane, and you only have one chance to succeed in the obstacle. If your feet touch the ground or the bars above your head, or if you miss the bell, you’ll be heading to the burpees pit
Push Ups
Name: Push Ups
Type of obstacle: Multiple attempts
Description: This obstacle is usually seen in the Spartan Stadium event. Participants are asked to perform the prescribed amount of push-ups before continuing the race.
Rules: If the participant is not able to perform the number of push-ups, he can choose to re-start or drop from the race. No burpees penalty, this is a mandatory obstacle.
Rolling Epic
Name: Rolling Epic
Type of obstacle: Single attempt
Description: The Rolling Epic is an obstacle often observed in Spartan Stadium events since it requires a flat surface such as a concrete floor. Participants need to place their feet on a rolling platform (small skateboard) and the rest of their body into a plank position. They must move to the finish line, to continue the race.
Rules: If any part of your body touches the ground, except your hands or elbows, you’ll receive a burpees penalty. See this obstacle in the video below.
Rope Climb
Name: Rope Climb
Type of obstacle: Multiple attempts
Description: Just like in gym class, this obstacle requires climbing along a rope to reach the top. However, the Spartan version of the rope climb is more challenging, because of the wet rope.
Rules: Participants can retry another rope if they don’t like their first choice. However, you can’t jump off the rope or change the rope half way up. You must ascend the cable in a controlled manner and ring the bell with your hand only. Failure to succeed in the Rope Climb is a sure visit to the burpees zone visit.
Spartan Rig
Names: Spartan Rig, Multi Rig
Type of obstacle: Single attempt
Description: The Spartan Rig is similar to the Monkey Bars; however, participants will have to use different types of grip to swing across the obstacle. The holds may vary from rings, ball, nunchuck, cargo net, horizontal bar, rope, etc. Some Spartan Rig may finish with a wall to climb over.
Spear Throw
Type of obstacle: Single attempt
Description: The Spear Throw is the most iconic obstacle in Spartan Race. A simple obstacle is yet very challenging. The goal is throwing a spear at a target. The target is a hale bale with a Spartan helmet. The spear is attached to a rope so the participant can retrieve the spear without having to walk to the target (which will be very dangerous).
Rules: The Spear Throw rule is simple; throw the spear and stick it into the target. If you miss the target or the spear is touching the ground, you are in for 30 burpees treat.
Wall Jump
Names: Wall Jump, Over Wall, 4’, 5’, 6’, 8’ Wall, Hurdles
Type of obstacle: Multiple attempts
Description: During a Spartan race you are sure to encounter walls along the course. Actually, almost every races start with a 3’ wall jump to get into the starting box. During the run, the height of the walls may vary from 4 to 10 feet. To climb those obstacles, all participants must pull themselves to the top using their arms and legs.
Rules: You can’t use the support legs or the straps to climb over the wall, and the kicker is only available for female runners. If you’re not able to cross the barrier, you’ll have to perform the 30 mandatory burpees.
Traverse Wall
Names: Traverse Wall, Z-Wall
Type of obstacle: Single attempt
Description: The Traverse Wall is a bouldering obstacle, where participants use their hands and feet to navigate through the wall. Along the wall, different 2×4 blocks can be used as footholds and handholds. A variation of this obstacle is called the Z-Wall because the wall is built in 3 parts, shaped like a Z. The Z-Wall is more difficult than the Travers Wall because the participants must switch between panels. The goal is to ring the bell on the end of the wall, but be careful of the slippery grips.
Rules: You must ring the bell, without touching the ground or the top of the obstacle. Also, once you are on the wall, you are committed to that path and can’t restart the obstacle. You don’t have to touch all blocks of the wall, but the first foot block and hand block are mandatory.
Further Obstacles May Include:
Bungee Cord Crawl, Rowing Machines, Banded Hops, Slam Ball, Football/Baseball Toss, Rolling Epic, Burpee Station, and lots of stairs.
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If you wish to learn more about this sport and its history, just pop me a mail and I will send the information to you: info@tanyasworldofsports.co.za
When you are ready to take on those mounts, Please take a moment and bow to people that are disabled, that cannot take part in such sports.
My views, comments and content are strictly are of my own opinion and research and are not governed or influenced by any marketing of companies or brands. It is of my own free will to mention companies and brands that supply sporting equipment pertaining to the sport in the discussion.
