The second edition of the Spartan Salalah Race, to be held this weekend (September 15-16), is poised to be bigger and better with an expected turnout of around 1000 participants

Jump into a pair of tough safety boots, dab on sunscreen generously, and wear not just cool sports attire but also a never-say-die attitude… If you enjoy adventure and an adrenaline rush, Salalah is where you have to be this weekend!

The Spartan Salalah Race will be held this weekend (September 15 and 16) for the second consecutive year, given the encouraging response for the inaugural edition last year. ‘It’s bigger and better than ever’, say the organisers, adding that, this year, the event introduces the Spartan Beast Race – a challenging 21km course, alongside the popular Sprint (5km) and Super (10km) races. Families can also join in on the fun with the Kids Race for participants I the age group of 4 to 14 years.

Dhofar Municipality and OQ are the main sponsors of the event while Badr al Samaa Group of Hospitals is the medical partner. And Spartan values this steadfast backing for its mission to transform lives and foster a culture of fitness, determination, and camaraderie in the Middle East.

This energy-packed race is an annual highlight, drawing athletes and adventure enthusiasts from around the world to tackle obstacles, conquer rugged terrains, and push their limits. It is considered to be more than a race, an embodiment of Spartan values – perseverance and resilience.

Christopher Hutchison, festival manager of Spartan Arabia, said “The Spartan Salalah Race promises a weekend of athletic achievement, shared victories, and the celebration of the human spirit. Don’t miss your chance to be part of history at the Spartan Salalah Race.” Registrations are yet open and an ambitious turnout of around 1000 participants is expected this year, he hoped.

He further said, “Spartan is the largest Obstacle Course Race in the World. We’ve hosted six races in Oman, so far, this being our 7^th – the second race in Salalah. This race weekend is called the Salalah Trifecta Weekend and is host to a 5km Sprint, 10km Super Run and a 21km Beast Race, besides the 1-3km Kids Race.”

The Beast Race will commence at 6.30am on Friday while the other races will begin 6.30am onwards on Saturday. Registration of participants and spectators is currently on in large numbers. The routes have been designed to include varied terrain – hills, trails, and wadis, with tonnes of fun, mud, and obstacles, Hutchison said, calling on participants to carry sunscreen and be well hydrated to enjoy the race.

Taking advantage of Salalah’s monsoon beauty, the race has been planned during the popular Khareef season when people from around the world visit Oman to enjoy the Salalah Tourist Festival amid the region’s lush greenery and serene waterfalls.

This race is considered a test of strength and endurance and all finishers receive a T-shirt and medal while every registration comes with access to the Spartan Account to track one’s tickets, race results, teams, and challenges.

Spartan mission

Spartan’s mission is to help people live without limits – developing physical and mental strength to take on all of life’s challenges with an unbreakable spirit.

Upcoming runs

Nov 25: Hatta Spartan Trifecta Weekend & Trail Half Marathon 10K

Dec 5: 2023 Abu Dhabi Spartan World Championship

Jan 20, 2024: Khorfakkan Spartan Super 10K, Sprint 5K & Kids

Why try an obstacle course race?

Obstacle course racing provides an exciting, challenging experience unlike any other competitive events. Every mile and every obstacle is daunting and exhilarating, pushing you to your limits and testing your mental fortitude.

Training for and completing an OCR with a team of family, friends, or coworkers is guaranteed to be a memorable bonding and team-building experience.

Even if you sign up on your own, though, you’re never alone on the obstacle course. Fellow racers cheer you on and often offer a helping hand.

What to expect

With obstacle course racing, you never quite know what you’re going to get come race day. Such race brands develop new obstacles every year, so the courses constantly evolve. What you can expect is anywhere from 12 to 20 obstacles in any course or 30-plus obstacles in the main race.

While some obstacles require pure strength, others (like walking a balance beam or spear-throwing) are more skill based.