$115K Is Up for Grabs at the 2021 Spartan World Championship in Abu Dhabi
Spartan has announced a $115,000 prize purse for the 2021 Spartan World Championship, scheduled for Dec. 3-5, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The purse will be split evenly across the men’s and women’s fields, with $57,500 split across the top 10 finishers in each.
In 2021, the Spartan World Championship will be staged outside of the United States for the first time in the company's history.
'This Race Means More Than It Ever Has Before'
“With everyone in lockdown in 2020, this race means more than it ever has before,” said Spartan founder and CEO Joe De Sena. “Following the postponement of the 2020 Spartan World Championship, the much-anticipated return to racing — paired with the striking location in the desert outside Abu Dhabi — will set the stage for the most epic World Championship in Spartan history."
Register Now: The 2021 Spartan World Championship
The 2021 Spartan World Championship will see the best obstacle course racers in the world descend on a remarkable course in Liwa. In addition to the Elite Spartan World Championship, the weekend will feature the Spartan Team World Championship and the Spartan Kids World Championship.
The main event, taking place on Friday, Dec. 3, is the half-marathon Spartan Beast, which features a mix of high-speed running, leg-burning steep climbs, and breathtaking sceneries. Competitors will have to contend with more than 30 signature Spartan obstacles including the Spear Throw, Barbed Wire Crawl, Helix, and Rope Climb.
“I’m excited to experience the differences in landscape and culture in Abu Dhabi," said two-time Spartan Ultra World Champion Ryan Atkins. "Racing there will be incredible!”
The Most Epic Festival We've Ever Hosted
Off the course, attendees can experience a one-of-a-kind weekend full of incredible experiences infused with local Emirati culture, including the biggest festival that Spartan has ever created. This epic event will include desert and city activities featuring traditional Emirati food, cultural shows, extreme dune rides, yoga classes, a Parade of Nations, closing fireworks and more.
More: Why We Chose Abu Dhabi As the Site of the 2021 Spartan World Championship
Preceding the marquee event on Friday is the rescheduled third annual Spartan Kids World Championship, a gated event. This championship will feature children ages 10 to 14 who have placed in the top three in their age and gender group at Spartan Kids races around the world.
In addition, the weekend includes the Spartan Team World Championship, an event first introduced in 2017.
Open and Age Group Heats Throughout the Weekend
The race weekend also offers opportunities for non-qualified athletes to hit the racecourse. Saturday morning and afternoon will kick off with Open Spartan Beast heats, as well as Open-heat Spartan Kids races of varying distances. Ten competitive Age Group heats will take place on Saturday morning.
Athletes who already registered for the 2020 Spartan World Championship event will be automatically deferred to the 2021 Spartan World Championship event, and everyone else can register and learn more here.
"I am super excited to race for the World Championship title in Abu Dhabi," said Czech superstar Richard Hynek. "Weather conditions are completely different from previous years in Lake Take. The desert will test us all!”