OK, so the Spartan ‘Las Vegas' weekend wasn't actually in Las Vegas, but let's be honest…after a year away from organized OCR events here in the West, I don't think anyone really cared. Of course, there were athletes present who had perhaps already competed at the Jacksonville or San Antonio events in the weeks prior, but for many there last weekend, this was a triumphant and long-awaited return to what we love and had missed so much: camaraderie, competition, and the chance to push ourselves to the limit once again. This was my first time at this particular event, so I didn't know quite what to expect from the course or venue itself, but, admittedly, it would have been hard to disappoint me after a year off.
The Festival Area
The venue itself was not hard to get to, and traffic both in and out seemed to move well, which was a departure from what I remember towards the end of 2019 and early 2020. Of course, it's difficult to say if this was the result of a reduced capacity, or simply better planning. As luck would have it, the weather last weekend was absolutely beautiful, which helped make this venue a winner, in my book. The festival area was flat and spread out, which worked well, though I could see how a little wind could change all that in a moment. COVID protocols were in full effect: Sanitizing stations everywhere, masks required in the festival area, and protective barriers for many of the volunteers and employees. Overall, no one seemed to mind having to keep their distance, and I didn't notice the new rules putting a damper on anyone's day. It was a little sad to see a smaller crowd and fewer food trucks and vendors, but it was expected, and I think the enthusiasm of the smaller crowd effectively diminished my initial disappointment. I know there were a few who were not happy with the ‘no spectators' rule, or only being able to access the festival area 30 minutes before their heat (60 if you're a Spartan+ member), but I have to say I thought all the Spartan employees and volunteers alike did well at throwing water on small fires here and there, and keeping the overall vibe positive.
The Course
With the exception of one hill on the motocross track at the end of the race, this is pretty much a flat course. The Super course on Saturday measured about six and a half miles, and the Sprint the next day about three and a half. A couple of notable sections were the sand towards the beginning and the divots in a couple of open, grassy segments. If you're a runner, the sand presents a distinct challenge, as it really sucks the energy from your legs fast. It was also difficult to run quickly over the divots, as you had to constantly gauge what was happening in front of you, so as not to step in one. They were hard and unforgiving, and I could definitely see someone easily twisting or even breaking an ankle if they weren't careful. Definitely recalled visions of Sacramento. Another highlight for me, personally, was the river crossing. Fun and refreshing on a hot day, but it also makes running that much more challenging with wet shoes. Â Obstacles were set up for social distancing, and sanitation stations were available in mass. The ropes on The Box were notably shorter, thus making that particular obstacle more challenging. I thought the layout of obstacles was excellent, though I was probably just happy to see most of them, including Twister, Beater, the tire flip, and, of course, the bucket carry. Interestingly, the sandbag has been absent from the first three Spartan events this year, though I suspect that it's because a sandbag is probably more difficult to disinfect than, say, a bucket. Just a guess, though. Spartan also got a little spicy and made the spear throw the third-to-last obstacle, which, I have to say, made for some really exciting Elite heats both Saturday and Sunday. And, being a West-Coaster, we don't get many fire jumps, so you know I took full advantage of this one, trying to get that cherished perfect fire jump pic.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I thought the course was challenging and well-thought out, and the weekend flowed well. Sure, there were hiccups here and there, and definitely some inconveniences, but to be able to get back out there and do what we love again, made those few inconveniences worth it. On a personal note, it was great spending the weekend with both friends and rivals I haven't seen for over a year, and just remembering what it feels like to push your body to the point of exhaustion was exhilarating. Spartan (and all of us) is obviously navigating new territory, and trying to re-create what we're all used to with fewer tools than before. There have been, and will continue to be, occasional missteps, but I give them credit where credit's due, and this past weekend they definitely earned it. It was a great weekend filled with the things we've all missed: a beautiful local, a challenging course, and plenty of smiling Spartan faces. I'm looking forward to the next Spartan event out here in the West, but until then I'll continue to reminisce about my time in the desert. AROO!!!
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Good read and review David. Enjoyed reading your take on this venue as a first timer there. As a Las Vegas resident for 25+ years, I’ve had the pleasure of participating in every single Vegas Spartan race since 2013, all except one. That’s a long story why I missed that one, that I’ll share with you later. But this Littlefield AZ venue, holds a special place in my heart, and I’m glad you enjoyed it this year too. It’s a pretty easy, in and out, and always has a nice layout for the festival area too, that creates great interactions with other Spartans too. Obviously that wasn’t quite the same this year, with the Covid restrictions, but I think Spartan did a great job, and the participants did too. I was in Jacksonville last June for our restart, and back there this February too, and I think this Vegas race was leaps and bounds better than both, and had made significant improvements. The Vegas course is always pretty flat and sandy, and then they throw in a few of those sandy hills, which can be challenging too, especially when it’s been wet and muddy on other years. We obviously had perfect weather this year, and the course was fast for sure. They always love to get us waist deep in the water at some point, which always feels refreshing, in the dry heat of the deseet. I thought they did a great job with the layout of the obstacles this year, for both the Super and the Sprint. I’m glad they’re offering both distances there now, as it used to be only a Super until 2019 I believe. But the Vegas race is where my Spartan journey began in 2013, on a Super course near Lake Las Vegas, and then I got a restart of my Spartan journey again in 2015, at the Lone Mine Mountain venue. Unfortunately, I missed the 2014 race at the Gravel Pit, because I was in a local Las Vegas Intensive Care Unit, fighting for my life that day. I was attacked by a Brain-eating virus back then, that cause serious brain damage, and stole all of my long-term memories, and just about everything else in my life, including my wife and family. That’s the only year I haven’t been able to run the Vegas race, except for last year too of course, which I didn’t get to run, because it got cancelled by a Virus too. So that’s why THIS YEARS race was so important to me, and to get back to this Vegas venue, and with my Spartan family too. Trust me, it’s been a huge part of my recovery these past 6-7 years, and I wouldn’t be here without it. I’ve even raced at that Littlefield Arizona course on crutches and in a sling, after having to get my right hip and left shoulder replaced in 2017 too, all due to complications from that virus back in 2014. I even fell in the fire jump obstacle on crutches in 2017, and kinda Spartan famous for that, for all the wrong reasons. That’s why I appreciated you using my fire jump pic from this year, in the review so much, because every year, I now have to get my fire jump redemption there. LOL But even after all I’ve been thru, I haven’t let any of those obstacles stop me, and I’ve continued to race and Do it ANYWAY, which has become my Spartan motto. I’d be more than happy to share my whole Spartan story with you, and with MudRunGuide if you’d care to know more, and share what this sport has done for me, and what I see it do for so many others, who are overcoming obstacles, both on and off the race course too. It’s become like family, and like church for me on the weekends, and I missed it a ton last year, and couldn’t have been happier to be back there this year. So thanks for writing this review Daniel, and letting me read your take on my home race too. I’ll look forward to chatting with you on another day, and would be more than happy to share any other thoughts that I have about this years race, and the Vegas venue too, and opefully we’ll get the chance to cross paths, out on a race course again soon too AROO! Thanks again, Spartan Tim Frame
And sorry I said David, as I meant Daniel of course. 🙂
Glad to see that Spartan recognizes the venue’s Arizona (my home state) location with the state’s flag on the #SPARTAN prop. Las Vegas tourists who go on excursions to the Grand Canyon all too often think it’s in Nevada! And happy to see my friend Tim featured at the fire jump. It never occurred to me to ask him if he had to do burpees after crashing into the fire. Right there next to the finish gate! LOL!