We are Spartan: Thousands ready to do battle as ‘mud and guts’ obstacle race series kicks off in Hong Kong
Hong Kong launches inaugural Asia-Pacific Spartan Race series, with first of four regional qualifiers at Kam Tin Country Club in Yuen Long on Saturday, leading to finale in Australia in November
More than 5,000 competitors from 20 countries will descend on Kam Tin Country Club in Yuen Long on Saturday as Hong Kong plays host to the first leg of the inaugural Spartan Race Asia-Pacific Championships Series.
The Spartan Sprint event is the first of four qualifiers – the others being in Taiwan, South Korea and Malaysia – leading up to the grand final in Australia at the end of November.
Racers will compete for over US$50,000 in cash and prizes across the entire series, with the elite winners of the men’s and women’s races over the 5km, 20-plus obstacle course on Saturday taking home HK$17,500.
Hong Kong is the shortest of the four qualifying events, with the Taiwan, Korean and Malaysia Super events taking place over 13km and containing more than 22 obstacles ahead of the 21km finale in Australia.
Watch: Last year’s Spartan Race in Hong Kong
“The inaugural Spartan Race Asia-Pacific Championship Series is a testament to the passionate athletes and weekend warriors who have propelled us from hosting Spartan events in two Apac countries in 2015, to what will be 10-plus Apac countries and regions in 2017,” said Asia-Pacific Spartan Race managing director Michael Goodwin.