For the past two years, athletes from around the globe have flocked to the stunning Lake Tahoe to compete in the prestigious Spartan World Championships. With the breathtaking Sierra Nevada mountain range serving as a backdrop, competitors navigate through grueling terrain, including narrow single-track trails, steep rocky mountainsides, and freezing waters. This challenging course, located at a historical venue, has become a “must-race” for anyone passionate about obstacle course racing (OCR).
This year, our ClubSport OCR Team, featuring athletes from ClubSport Pleasanton and ClubSport Fremont, proudly took part in the Spartan Beast race, a brutal 17-mile-long course featuring 38 obstacles. Led by expert trainers Jeremy Carbajal, Nancy Couper, Rene Sepulveda, and Brenda Bennett, the team faced daunting physical challenges but emerged victorious, showcasing incredible strength and perseverance. The Spartan Beast is widely regarded as one of the toughest races in the Spartan World Championships series, and this year’s event did not disappoint.
Endurance, agility, and mental fortitude were key for our team, as they trained tirelessly leading up to the big race. Despite the freezing swim and difficult elevation changes, the team conquered the course and earned their piece of the coveted Spartan Trifecta—a significant achievement for any Spartan racer. Their success is a testament to their hard work and the quality of training provided by the dedicated ClubSport OCR Elite team.
Spartan World Championships Personal Reflections
Mike Lennox
“Sixteen months ago, Lauren declared that she wanted to run a Spartan race. (We’d run one 5K in our lives.) We joined the OCR Elite class at Club Sport. We trained twice a week led by Jeremy, Nancy, and Rene. Endurance, agility, technique, strength: each week we worked with amazing trainers and a great group. In 2016, we ran two Spartan Sprints. And then Lauren declared her goal of completing the Trifecta – Sprint, Super, and Beast – in 2017. It seemed daunting but became our collective goal. It was hard work. But both the journey and the goal were worth it.”
Chrissy Angiola
“From training with the OCR Elites to crossing the finish line – it was an experience! Thanks to the help of OCR Elites I was physically AND mentally prepared for what was in store. From to countless bucket carries, wall climbs, sled sprints, random rope work and long run days, my biceps and glutes were ready for anything that Spartan was going to throw at me!
The course was long, and the climbs were steep; the decent was loose and rocky, which all made it to be a pretty UN-runable course, but in the end, it was all worth it and beyond satisfying crossing the finish line. Thankfully, the weather was ideal for a long run but the wind at the top of the mountain made it interesting. All in all, the only thing I would have changed was the Dunk wall at mile 4+ because wow, that was harder to recover from than the swim since you HAD to fully submerge in the water. But thanks to the help of my trainer (Jeremy I owe you!) I make a quick t-shirt change, threw on a dry sweatshirt at charged on to complete the rest of the 17-mile journey through the Squaw mountains.
Thanks to all my fellow OCR Elites and trainers for all your help and support in making sure I was ready (and calm) on race day. Can’t wait until next year. Aroo!”
Nicole Baer
“The challenge was equal to its awesomeness as an experience. Huge thanks to my fellow Spartans Chrissy Angiola, Bill Buckley, and Nancy Couper, vets of this course and amazing athletes who let me pester them with questions (for months), and coach Jeremy Carbajal who pushed me harder than I wanted to go in training and thus got me physically and mentally ready. Aroo!”
Bill Buckley
“Tahoe World Championships Beast did not disappoint and definitely lived up to its name. I finished up right all 17.4 miles, 4800 elevation gain, and 9000 calories burned. We made a ton of memories.”
Kareem Straughan
“Sixteen months ago, Lauren declared that she wanted to run a Spartan race. (We’d run one 5K in our lives.) We joined the OCR Elite class at Club Sport. We trained twice a week led by Jeremy, Nancy, and Rene. Endurance, agility, technique, strength: each week we worked with amazing trainers and a great group. In 2016, we ran two Spartan Sprints. And then Lauren declared her goal of completing the Trifecta – Sprint, Super, and Beast – in 2017. It seemed daunting but became our collective goal. It was hard work. But both the journey and the goal were worth it.”
Brenda Bennett
“This was the longest, toughest Spartan I’ve done. Got news for u Spartans- it wasn’t 16.4 it was actually 17.4 with all the obstacles of carrying sand bag and buckets 2 x each! Lol. Was fab! Now we relax!!”
Steve Garza
“Finished the Beast! Absolutely the hardest Beast to date. From my very first step I knew I was in trouble.”
Congratulations Spartan World Championships Finishers
Congratulations to all our ClubSport OCR finishers for their incredible dedication and perseverance throughout the Spartan World Championships! Each team member gave their all, pushing past physical and mental limits to overcome the challenging obstacles and grueling course. Your hard work, commitment to training, and determination have truly paid off, and we couldn’t be more proud of your achievements.
We’re already excited for the next race, where we know you’ll continue to excel and inspire others with your Spartan spirit. AROO!
If you’re interested in becoming a part of the Obstacle Course Racing Team and want to take on epic challenges like the Spartan Beast, contact your local ClubSport location. Find out if there’s an OCR Team at your club, and start your journey toward greatness today!
