FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Reebok Spartan Race World Championship Returns to North Lake Tahoe, Sept. 30
$100,000 in cash prizes will be awarded at the obstacle racing’s preeminent weekend of the year.
NORTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. (September 19, 2017) — Spartan Race, the world’s leading obstacle race company, will host the 2017 Reebok Spartan Race World Championship at the internationally renowned mountain destination of Squaw Valley in North Lake Tahoe on September 30, 2017. This marks the third consecutive year that North Lake Tahoe has hosted obstacle racing’s preeminent championship event.
In the high-altitude athletic destination of Lake Tahoe, obstacle racing’s most important weekend of the year takes place on the same mountainous terrain that hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics. At Squaw Valley, this pinnacle event will feature over 10,000 of the world’s greatest athletes from more than 30 countries. They will compete to win $100,000 in cash and prizes, as part of the $500,000 in cash and prizes awarded during the 2017 race season, the most of any singular Spartan Race.
In order to qualify for the World Championship heat, competing athletes finished in the top 5 at Spartan Races around the world during the 2017 qualifying season. To win in Lake Tahoe means an athlete has cemented themselves in obstacle racing history and can claim the title of “Spartan Race World Champion” alongside athletes like Amelia Boone, Hobie Call and Zuzana Kocumova.
“North Lake Tahoe’s unique high-altitude terrain attracts competitive athletes all year long and is a natural fit for obstacle racing,” said Amber Burke, Events and Communications Manager at North Lake Tahoe. “Spartan Race is a cornerstone event for the area that highlights many of our core destination offerings–human powered sports, outdoor adventure, high-altitude training and healthy competition within a supportive community.”
Over the course of two days, races for all types of athletes and families will test strength, endurance and resolve. At various time intervals, the Spartan Race World Championship Beast (13+ miles/ 30+ obstacles) will take place alongside the Elite, Competitive and Open category Beast races on Saturday and Sunday, in addition to the Ultra Beast (26+ miles/ 50+ obstacles) on Sunday. Kids races ranging from ½ mile (ages 4-8), 1 mile (ages 9-13) and 2 miles (ages 11-14) will also take place on both days.
Obstacles intended to push athletes deep into their discomfort zones will be strategically placed over varied terrain. Some obstacles that competitors will encounter will be familiar from previous races but others are venue-specific and terrain-inspired. What can be expected is fire, mud, water, barbed wire, and elevations between 6,224 feet and upwards of 9,000 feet that test mental fortitude and physical strength.
When not running uphill through thin air or army crawling under barbed wire, athletes and their supporting friends and families are encouraged to explore the endless activities, dining and event options in the region. In North Lake Tahoe, hundreds of miles of nationally-ranked mountain biking and hiking trails keep the athletic momentum going, while the largest alpine lake in North America provides refreshing adventures and dozens of beaches.
“North Lake Tahoe is the ideal venue for human powered sports,” said Burke. “From kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and fishing on the lake to endless hiking and biking trails, rock climbing and more, athletes can experience a wide variety of outdoor adventures. Exploring the area on foot, bike or watercraft is the best way to get a great workout in while enjoying the beautiful fall foliage and scenery that will be present during race weekend.”
To fuel your fix, the six communities that make up North Lake Tahoe welcome Spartan athletes and their families before and after the event for pre acclimatization and post decompression. For lodging deals and to start planning your trip, check out the Deals tab on www.gotahoenorth.com.
Important 2017 Spartan Race World Championship Schedule items are below, with more information about tickets, packages and training programs at www.Spartan.com.
Event Schedule
Friday
6:00pm Spartan Athlete Dinner (must purchase tickets)
Saturday
7:30am Elite Men’s Prize Money Heat (Must qualify)
7:45am Elite Women’s Prize Money Heat (Must qualify)
7:55am Elite Start Time (no prize money)
8:00am – 8:45am Competitive Start Times
9:00am – 11:00am Morning Start Times
11:15am – 2:00pm Afternoon Start Times
Sunday
8:00am Elite Men and Women
8:15am – 8:30am Competitive Start Times
8:45am – 10:30am Morning Start Times
About North Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a crown jewel of the Sierra. Formed approximately two million years ago, it is the largest alpine lake in North America and the second deepest in the United States. North Lake Tahoe spans two states and boasts two dozen beaches, twelve ski resorts, hundreds of miles of biking trails, half a dozen communities, and a growing number of nationally recognized human-powered events, races and festivals. North Lake Tahoe is a 45-minute drive from the Reno Tahoe International Airport, two hours from Sacramento International Airport and just over three hours from San Francisco International Airport. Visitor information centers are located at 100 North Lake Boulevard in Tahoe City and 969 Tahoe Boulevard in Incline Village.
About Spartan Race, Inc.
Spartan Race is the world’s largest obstacle race and endurance brand, and the first in-sport to feature timing and global rankings. With more than 200 events across more than 30 countries in 2017, Spartan Race will attract more than one million global participants offering open heats for all fitness levels, along with competitive and elite heats. The Spartan Race lifestyle boasts a community of more than five million passionate social media followers, health and wellness products, training and nutrition programs, and a popular NBC television series, which has made obstacle racing one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Spartan Race events feature races at three distances, 3+Mile/20+ Obstacle “Sprint,” 8+ Mile/25+ Obstacle “Super” and 12+ Mile/30+ Obstacle “Beast,” culminating in the Reebok Spartan Race World Championship in Lake Tahoe, Calif. Visit http://www.spartan.com for more information and registration.
About Squaw Valley
Host of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Squaw Valley is a year-round mountain destination offering world-class adventures in every season. In summer, Squaw’s scenic aerial tram transports guests to elevation 8,200 feet to experience an array of exciting activities in a spectacular mountain setting including swimming, hiking, roller skating, disc golf and geocaching. At the base of the mountain, Squaw’s vibrant Village offers all new croquet, bean bag toss and a climbing wall, as well as shopping, al fresco dining, and music festivals all summer long.
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Press Contacts:
Kelly Benson, Junior Account Executive
