The 2022 Spartan World Championship will return to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, where many of the world’s best obstacle course racing athletes will take on a challenging new course on December 2–4.
This is the second year that Abu Dhabi will host the Spartan World Championship, with 2022 seeing a new location and course.
Set this year in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, the course features iconic desert terrain with vast sand dune trails. The race venue, at Al Wathba, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, is located about 30 minutes outside of Abu Dhabi City and Abu Dhabi International Airport, providing a convenient location for both local and international competitors and participants.
The best Spartan athletes — who qualify throughout the racing season — will compete in the men’s and women’s individual World Championship Super on Saturday, December 3, vying for more than US$125,000 in total prize money. The Team World Championship Super will be held on Sunday, December 4.
The Age Group World Championship Beast and Open Beast will run on Saturday with an Open Team Super, Open Super, Open Sprint, and Kids Open on Sunday.
“We’re excited to be back in Abu Dhabi after an unreal first year in the desert,” said Joe De Sena, Spartan founder and CEO. “We’re putting together a new course that will be one of our hardest yet – whoever leaves with the title is going to earn it.
“But just as important is the opportunity for all our Spartans to challenge themselves on the same course as the elites. If you join us in Abu Dhabi, you’ll leave a different person. You’ll unlock your physical and mental potential. It’s possible thanks to the continued support of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Council’s General Secretary, Mr Aref Hamad Al Awani.”
Athletes in the Elite and competitive Age Group divisions can qualify through races held in 14 countries, two regional championships, or at various wild card events throughout the year. Athletes must reach certain qualifying standards that involve both an overall place and finish within a certain time of the winner.
There are no qualifications for the Open Beast (21K, 30 obstacles), Open Team Super, Open Super (10K, 25 obstacles) or Open Kids divisions.
Abu Dhabi Sports Council General Secretary Aref Hamad Al Awani said “It was a great honour and prestige for Abu Dhabi to host the Spartan World Championship, and we are absolutely thrilled the endurance event is returning to the capital city for the second time in two years.
“This event allows the elite athletes as well as participants at all levels, from men, women and the juniors, to compete. It encourages and creates awareness among the community to lead an active lifestyle to prepare for the competition.
“We are also delighted to announce the 2022 Spartan World Championship will take place at a new venue at Al Wathba to provide the participants an exciting and breath-taking desert terrain in another part in Abu Dhabi.”
In 2021, Canadian power couple Ryan Atkins and Lindsay Webster topped the podium in Abu Dhabi. Atkins finished in 2:13:40 to take the men’s World Championship Beast while Webster finished in 2:38:54 to win the women’s World Championship Beast. Meanwhile, France edged out Russia and Canada in 1:09:39 to win the Super 10K, 25-obstacle World Championship Team race.
www.race.spartan.com/en/race/championships/world
