Abu Dhabi to host Spartan World Championship in December

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
 
The stunning Liwa desert in western region of Abu Dhabi gears up for the Spartan World Championship 2021 in December.

The Spartan World Championship will take place in the Liwa desert located in the western region of Abu Dhabi from Dec.2-5, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council has announced.

The championship held for the first time outside the US features the Elite Spartan World Championship, the Spartan Team World Championship and the Spartan Kids World Championship, as well as coinciding with the 50th anniversary of UAE National Day.

Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said they are delighted to welcome participants, fans and officials of the Spartan World Championship, an event staged for the first time outside the US.

“The Spartan Worlds is a unique and ground-breaking event to take place at the spectacular Liwa desert in Abu Dhabi,” he said.

“The championship will be even grander as it also coincides with the golden jubilee celebration of the UAE’s National Day.”

The championship previously slated for Dec.4-5, 2020 was postponed due to the international travel restrictions following the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.

“The 2021 Spartan season is well underway, and our athletes are back with a vengeance,” the Spartan Founder and CEO Joe De Sena added.

“We cannot wait to create a whole new experience for our global community as we travel to the desert for the most epic World Championship in Spartan history, at a time when it is most needed.

“We’re continually grateful for the support of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Council’s General Secretary, Aref Al Awani for welcoming Spartans to their spectacular Emirate.”

The championship weekend opens on Dec.2 with a day full of fun, including open trial races over the 50km and 21km distances. The participants as well as spectators can then spend the first night under the stars in the camps located at the Spartan Village in Liwa.

Those attending the race will have much to do outside of the action throughout the weekend. They can enjoy the buggy rides through the dunes, sand boarding, the entertainment on stage, or simply relaxing with a cup of tea.

The kids will have an exclusive area that will include rock climbing, inflatable obstacle courses, arts and crafts, playground, and festival games.

The championship begins with a parade of the participating nations that included 40-plus countries at 10.30am on Dec.3.

The Kid's World Championship for the 12-14 age category over a two-mile course begins at 1pm and the event for the 10-11 age group over a one-mile distance at 1.30pm.

The Spartan Elite World Championship for men over the 21km course across the Liwa dunes starts at 3:30pm followed by the elite women at 4pm.

Spectators will be able to watch the action on a jumbotron in the festival and cheer on the athletes as they make their way over the Tel Moreb to the finish line.

Athletes and attendees will enjoy a night of entertainment and celebration as the 2021 Spartan World Champions are presented their awards.

After the elite racers complete the course, a community 10km obstacle course will begin as the sun sets. This event is open to all and will be the first-night OCR race ever offered in the UAE. Special heats will be dedicated to corporate teams.

December 4th is packed with a full day of races. In the morning, athletes in their respective age groups will compete to earn the title of World Champion for their age category for both males and females on the 21K obstacle course.

When the competition is complete, the course will open up to anyone that wants to challenge themselves, have fun with friends, or simply experience something new.

Kids ages 4-6 will have fun on a half-a-mile mile obstacles course. Parents can run with their kids or cheer them on by the sidelines. Kids 6-11 can participate in a one-mile course and ages 12-14 will enjoy a longer two-mile course. Kids can sign up for any distance they choose!

The Team World Championship starts at 4.30pm with teams of three chosen to represent their country on a 10-mile OCR course.

The awards ceremony for the age group and Team World Champion winners takes place in the evening followed by music entertainment.

On Dec.5, attendees will enjoy their last breakfast before saying their goodbyes to the breath-taking Empty Quarter.

The championship has already received more than 500 entries confirmed so far and is expected to reach 7,000 in all events.