World’s Leading Endurance Sports and Wellness Brand Brings Most Challenging Event of the 2021 Obstacle Course Racing Season to the United States for First Time

BOSTON, Mass. (February 19, 2021) - Spartan®, the world’s leading endurance sports and wellness  brand, will bring the 24-hour “Spartan Ultra World Championship” to the United States for the first time, to Telluride Ski Resort in the town of Mountain Village, Colorado. October 10-11, 2021. The brand’s most challenging event kicks off Spartan’s Obstacle Course Race (OCR) World Championship Season, bringing some of the best endurance athletes in the world to the picturesque destination, where they will face more than 4,000 feet of vertical elevation per loop, technical terrain and unpredictable weather conditions.    

“The Ultra World Championship is the most grueling event of the season,” said Spartan’s Founder and CEO Joe De Sena. “24 hours with no sleep, mountainous terrain and hours of complete darkness puts athletes to the ultimate test of strength and sheer will, and I can’t wait for it to unfold here in the US for the first time – especially in a location as epic as Telluride.”

The fourth annual Spartan Ultra World Championship will challenge the mental and physical capacities of racers as they complete multiple laps on a 10-mile course featuring at least 25 obstacles per loop – nearly double that of its previous format — for the 24-hour period. The male and female athletes who complete the most laps in the 24-hour time period will be crowned champions - with the top 10 in each category sharing more than $35,000 in prize money. The ultra-endurance race is gated at the Elite and Age Group levels, with 300 spots available for Elite and 1000 spots available for Age Group categories. An Open heat is also available for non-qualified participants, with limited spots available.

"Hosting the Spartan Ultra World Championship in Telluride is a natural fit - we offer very technical terrain, world-class accommodations, shopping, and restaurants,” said Telluride Ski and Golf’s President Chad Horing. “Participants have the best of both worlds, a course that will challenge them mentally and physically - and a beautiful town offering the finest comforts off the course." 

“While our area is best known for its unparalleled skiing, our diverse mountain terrain, high elevation, and extensive single-track trails will present a formidable challenge to even the most fit and seasoned athlete,” said Telluride Mountain Village Owners Association’s President & CEO Anton Benitez. “Crossing the finish line in our Town’s village center will be an experience that races will never forget.   TMVOA is excited to be sponsoring this endurance competition in Mountain Village.”

In addition to the 24-hour Ultra World Championship, the event weekend features a 30-obstacle, half-marathon Spartan Beast® race Saturday, October 9.

Registration for the 2021 Spartan Ultra World Championship opens Friday, February 19 at noon ET. Visit Spartan.com for qualifying details and more information.

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