Spartan was founded by Joe De Sena,[1] who intended for it to be a more manageable endurance race for a wider audience.

It purchased Tough Mudder assets for $700,000 and the assumption of debts, including honoring prepaid tickets, which was approved by the bankruptcy court for the District of Delaware.

[12] Tough Mudder is expected to continue its races, and the 2020 season starts on April 17 in North London.

[36] The Sprint combines relatively easy trail running with 20 obstacles, held on off-road terrain featuring water and mud along a 5-kilometer course, and is considered a short-distance race.

[38] The Spartan Super has 25 to 30 obstacles along 6-8 miles (generally a 10k) of rugged terrain, and is considered a middle-distance race.

[40] These events are typically three-mile sprint-style races with more than 15 obstacles, and are held at baseball and football stadiums across the United States.

The series sees competitors facing off on the course, battling signature Spartan obstacles on varying terrains and natural conditions.

A hybrid of race and endurance events, the Ultra covers 30+ miles of terrain and features close to 70 obstacles.

The Ultra is the only Spartan event featuring strict time cutoffs that must be met; competitors are warned that not all who sign up will finish.

Competitors are encouraged to bring ‘Transition Containers’ to supply the participant with food and water at the halfway point of the race due to the general tenacity of the course.

In the Hurricane Heat, the goal is for the competitors’ teams to reach the finish line; individual times are not applicable.

[46] Spartan Race brings a fully immersive training program that balances class time with hands-on practical application of those skills and lessons.

The Spartan Agoge is held on The Farm in Pittsfield, Vermont, twice a year in the summer and winter—and in historic locations across the globe including Iceland, Mongolia, Isle of Skye in Scotland, and along the Great Wall of China.