Capital to host Spartan World C’ships’ qualifiers

The Abu Dhabi Sports Council and Spartan Arabia have announced two community races and qualifiers for the Spartan World Championships that will take place in the capital from Dec.2-5 in the Al Dhafra District at Liwa City for the first time in the Middle East and outside of the US.

The first qualifying race will be held at the Al Ghazal Golf Club under the umbrella of Breast Cancer Awareness on Oct.8 and a mixed-race on the 9th taking place at Al Ghazal Golf Club in honour of breast cancer survivors.

While the race on Oct.8 is for the gritty, resilient, and passionate women racers, the 9th of October is open to men, women, and kids between the ages of 4 to 14.

Both races will be a 5km Spartan ‘Sprint’ with 20 obstacles where racers can put their endurance to the test. ADSC and Spartan Arabia are proud to give back to the community with the Breast Cancer Awareness charity Sprint race for women to be held for the 3rd time in a row in Abu Dhabi.

The second qualifying race, which is to be held at the Al Ain Zoo, will take place on Nov.5 and will encompass a ‘Sprint’, ‘Super’, ‘Hurricane Heat’, and Kids race.

The ‘Super’, a 10km course with 25 obstacles, testing the endurance and resilience of the more skilled racer and the ‘Hurricane Heat’, a 4-hour team challenge, will push the physical and mental limits of every competitor. It will be the last opportunity for participants to qualify for the 2021 Spartan World Championships, where global elites battle it out to stake their claim on the grand prize of $115,000 and earn bragging rights as the Spartan World Champion!

“The Spartan World Championship has already generated massive interest with participants raring to go at the qualifying competitions,” Aref Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said.

“The next two qualifying rounds are at the Al Ghazal Golf Club and at the premises of the Al Ain Zoo on successive days on Oct.8-9 respectively, before the final qualifier also at the zoo premises on Nov.5.

“We are super delighted with the lead-up for the Spartan World Championship, which is held outside the US for the first time ever in their 10-year history of the event.

“The Spartan Worlds is a unique new addition to our growing list of international sporting events. It also adds to our list of community events promoting our government’s initiative of their healthy lifestyle programme.

“Another feature of this competition is that amateur athletes of all levels can choose their own adventure while those elite juniors and elite adults vie for world titles.”

The highlight is of course the Spartan Beast run over the half-marathon distance that features a mix of high-speed running, leg-burning steep climbs and breath-taking scenery with more than 30 signature Spartan obstacles against the backdrop of the spectacular desert terrains.

“The Spartan Worlds will be staged when the country is celebrating the golden jubilee National Day and it surely will have a festive atmosphere throughout the competition,” Awani added.