This year's Spartan Ultra Beast obstacle course race in Quebec took place over 28 miles, through 40 obstacles, running roughly 17 times up and down the Mont Owl's Head ski resort.
This year's Spartan Ultra Beast obstacle course race in Quebec took place over 28 miles, through 40 obstacles, running roughly 17 times up and down the Mont Owl's Head ski resort.
David G. Allan/CNN
Among the organized obstacle course options, Spartan races are the most popular in terms of events (170 in 35 countries this year) and participants (1 million last year) of all skill levels.
Among the organized obstacle course options, Spartan races are the most popular in terms of events (170 in 35 countries this year) and participants (1 million last year) of all skill levels.
David G. Allan/CNN
Spartan races include a Sprint (at least 3 miles and 20 obstacles), Super (8 or more miles and at least 25 obstacles), Beast (12-plus miles, 30-plus obstacles) and Ultra Beasts (double the numbers of the Beast).
8-Foot Wall —
Spartan races include a Sprint (at least 3 miles and 20 obstacles), Super (8 or more miles and at least 25 obstacles), Beast (12-plus miles, 30-plus obstacles) and Ultra Beasts (double the numbers of the Beast).
David G. Allan/CNN
Participants haul tractor tires.
Tractor Pull —
Participants haul tractor tires.
CNN
"Sloshy pipes" are partially filled with water to make them harder to carry.
Sloshy Pipes —
"Sloshy pipes" are partially filled with water to make them harder to carry.
David G. Allan/CNN
The barbed wire crawl is a signature Spartan obstacle.
Barbed Wire Crawl —
The barbed wire crawl is a signature Spartan obstacle.
David G. Allan/CNN
At the end of the monkey bars, the competitors must ring a cow bell before jumping down.
Monkey Bars —
At the end of the monkey bars, the competitors must ring a cow bell before jumping down.
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Z-Walls, or L-Walls, require climbing skills.
Z-Walls —
Z-Walls, or L-Walls, require climbing skills.
David G. Allan/CNN
Failure to complete any obstacle results in 30 burpees, strictly enforced by volunteers staffing each obstacle. The spear throw has such a high rate of failure (you get only one shot) that it's basically a burpee station.
Spear Throw —
Failure to complete any obstacle results in 30 burpees, strictly enforced by volunteers staffing each obstacle. The spear throw has such a high rate of failure (you get only one shot) that it's basically a burpee station.
David G. Allan/CNN
This "rig" has multiple ways to swing across, all of them difficult, especially coming near the end of the course.
Platinum Rig —
This "rig" has multiple ways to swing across, all of them difficult, especially coming near the end of the course.
David G. Allan/CNN
Fire jump is another classic Spartan test.
Fire Jump —
Fire jump is another classic Spartan test.
David G. Allan/CNN
The final obstacle on the course is the Slip Wall. Some runners have enough speed to reach the top without using a rope.
Slip Wall —
The final obstacle on the course is the Slip Wall. Some runners have enough speed to reach the top without using a rope.
David G. Allan/CNN
Of the 444 competitors at the Quebec Ultra Beast, only 68 crossed the finish line.
Of the 444 competitors at the Quebec Ultra Beast, only 68 crossed the finish line.
David G. Allan/CNN