4 minute read
The Spartan Race World Championship is the highlight of the Spartan obstacle racing season. Taking place on the weekend of September 30 - October 1st and hosted at one of the most challenging courses in the world, Squaw Valley at Lake Tahoe. Racers from around the world have been hard at work preparing for the event - all roads lead to Tahoe.
Every racer that reaches the start line has earned the right to compete. Competitive and open class racers are still able to run the course, but to be eligible to compete in the World Championship Prize Money Elite heat, racers must earn a coin. These are earned by finishing in the top 10 of an Elite heat at any Spartan Race throughout the year (top 5 in the US or Canada.)
We decided to catch up with some of the dryrobe ambassadors from around the world heading to Tahoe for this epic weekend - after a full season of racing we know they can't wait to get out there.
Someone who has taken an extraordinary journey on the Road to Tahoe is Miguel Labranche - the Spartan Nomad. 2017 has seen him travel the globe entering as many Spartan Races as he can - including locations such as Abu Dhabi, Taiwan and Scotland to name a few. Along the way Miguel has created an awesome community of Spartan Nomads, many of them joining him on the Road to Tahoe.
Next up on the other side of the globe - US ambassador Jennifer Fisher (aka The Fit Fork) has been hard at work preparing for the World Championships. As well as her usual epic workout schedule - Jennifer has added in some swim training in preparation for a dip in the freezing cold lake that will be greeting Spartans on race day.
Keep an eye out of her if you're at World Championships - she'll be there smashing it in the women's elite and then keeping warm in the red dryrobe afterwards!
For the first time ever at a Spartan World Championships - country-specific teams will go head to head for the World Team Championships. 3 man teams of elite racers will be battling it out on a Super distance (approx 13k) course for the chance to be crowned champion and we're excited and proud to be supporting Team GB at Lake Tahoe.
First up in the team is Scott Barker - who after a solid season of racing with multiple podium finishes has definitely earned his seat on the plane out to the States.
The next member of the team is Jade Skillen - a personal trainer and former professional footballer who has also been enjoying a solid year of racing in 2017 - including a win at a seriously tough course at Edinburgh.
The third and final member of the GB team that will be taking on the course at Tahoe is an old friend of dryrobe - Ross Macdonald. After recovering from a broken collarbone earlier this year, he's back fighting fit and ready to take on the World Championships after getting himself back into the racing action - including a 3rd place finish at the formidable Red Bull Steeplechase this summer.
It's an awesome lineup for Team GB, we know these guys are going to smash it out there and can't wait to see how the race goes.
Another man who has taken an incredible Road to Tahoe this year is none other than 3 x OCR World Champion Jonathan Albon. Fresh from being crowned the Skyrunning Extreme Series World Champion, Jon will be eager for more silverware and is without a doubt one to watch at any race he enters.
We can't wait for the action to begin this weekend - to win this race means you have cemented your place in obstacle racing history. Some of the best athletes in the world can claim the title of Spartan Race World Champion.
2017 is the third consecutive year the World Championship takes place in Lake Tahoe. Racers will battle themselves, competitors, obstacles, and high elevation, in pursuit of glory.
Published on September 25, 2017