World’s best OCR athletes to compete in Al Wathba area
Spartan, the world’s leading endurance sports and extreme wellness brand, has announced that the 2023 Spartan World Championship will return to Abu Dhabi for a third consecutive year, reaffirming Abu Dhabi’s position as a global destination for sporting events.
The event, held in partnership with and hosted by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, will bring together the world’s best obstacle course racing (OCR) athletes to take on a challenging new course from December 8-10, 2023.
Strategic location
Set in Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba area for the second year, the race venue is 30 minutes away from Abu Dhabi City and Abu Dhabi International Airport.
This strategic location caters to the needs of both local and international competitors and participants.
Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “We are proud to announce – once again – that Abu Dhabi will host the Spartan World Championship for the third consecutive year and the second time in a row in the Al Wathba Desert, after the great successes achieved by the first and second editions.
“We promise everyone that the championship will continue its successes during the upcoming edition through the dunes of Al Wathba desert, which constitutes an obstacle, a barrier, and an interesting challenge for participants from all over the world.”
A battle of titans awaits as the finest Spartan athletes, who have qualified throughout the racing season, come together for the pinnacle of competition—the men’s and women’s individual World Championship, slated for an adrenaline-charged showdown on December 9.
On December 10
The Team World Championship will be held on December 10. Alongside the elite competition, UAE and international community members will also be able to participate in dedicated competition formats for the public.
UAE residents keen to test themselves on the circuit can do so through the Open Heats. The Open Beast (21km; 30 obstacles) will roll out on December 9, while Open Super and Open Team Super (10km; 25 blocks), Open Sprint (5km; 20 obstacles), and Kids Open (500m-2km; 5-20 obstacles) will run on December 10, enabling budding Spartans the chance to tackle the course by themselves or with friends and family.
There are no qualification requirements, and all interested parties can sign up.
Spartan Founder and CEO Joe De Sena said: “We’re thrilled to return to Abu Dhabi for a third consecutive year for the Spartan World Championship. Crafting an entirely new course, we’re gearing up to deliver one of our most challenging experiences to date—seizing the title will demand nothing short of absolute dedication.
“Beyond the intense Elite competition, we recognise the significance of offering every Spartan the chance to conquer the same World Championship course embraced by our elite contenders.
“Embarking on this journey with us in Abu Dhabi guarantees a transformative experience that unshackles your physical and mental capabilities,” De Sena added.
Featured image: Spartan World Championship dates are December 8-10, 2023. Image: Abu Dhabi Sports Council
