Saturday’s Pac West Spartan Sprint challenged thousands of athletes to use strength, speed, agility, endurance and teamwork to reach the finish line at Washougal Motocross Park.
“You got have a lot of strength and aerobic capacity to get through all the obstacles,” said John Howell, who won the elite male master’s division.
The 41-year-old from Portland said he was looking for something different than training for a half marathon. He found it while he completed 22 obstacles along the four-mile course in 53 minutes, 50 seconds.
“The pulling exercises were the hardest ones for me today. I was hoping to get in the top 10, but a couple obstacles knocked me back,” Howell said. “Overall, I’m glad to win the masters. It’s a nice consolation prize.”
Howell enjoyed sharing this event with his family. His daughter completed the Junior Spartan obstacle course, and his two sons cheered him on.
“Just come out here and try it. It’s the perfect way to be a healthy person,” Howell said. “Strength and endurance work are very important, especially as you get older.”
The event featured a new layout of challenging obstacles. Spartans climbed up Horsepower Hill on their hands and knees. Although there was no barbed wire above them this time, they almost had to reach the top before a rope would be there for assistance. There was also no slip and slide back down, just more running, climbing and carrying objects.
The pulling exercises included clearing a series of walls in succession, a pyramid style rope climb and an upside down crawl across a rope while suspended in air.
“When you get to the finish line, it’s definitely an accomplishment,” Howell said. “The race is so hard. There’s so much pain out here. It’s exhausting.”
Conquering these challenges together brings Spartans from around the world back to Washougal for more pain, suffering and reward.
“I just like the idea behind these races,” Howell said. “It’s different than running another half marathon or a 5K.”
