Spartan adventure continues in Washougal

Adventurers of all ages will head to Washougal Motocross Park on Saturday, Aug. 19, to take on the Spartan challenge.

Once again, the Portland Sprint takes over this famous racing venue above the Washougal River. The park provides the perfect combination of tree-lined trails and dirt tracks to make a fresh, obstacle-dense course that pushes contestants to their physical and emotional peaks.

“It is a test of speed, strength, endurance and grit,” said Spartan Pro Team member Robert Killian. “Every race is different. Every course is different. They always find a way to keep it interesting.”

Killian took the world by storm when he captured the 2015 Spartan Race World Championship in Lake Tahoe. The 35-year-old U.S. Army Green Beret serves in the Colorado National Guard part time and competes in Spartan Races full time. This will be his first trip to Washougal. As a motocross fan, Killian is anxious to see how the race track will be converted into an obstacle course.

“What I like about Spartan Race is that there are so many opportunities to push yourself out of your comfort zone,” Killian said. “And it’s all over the world, too. That’s fun.”

The Spartan Sprint is a 3- to 5-mile adventure featuring more than 20 obstacles. These challenges include climbing ropes, walls and cargo nets, running up and down hills, carrying weight, crawling under barbed wire, throwing a spear, jumping into muddy pools and ducking under walls. There are sections on the course that require teamwork, which encourages friends and family to do this crazy thing together.

Killian said he enjoys that fellowship the most.

“It’s the community, to be honest,” he said. “When you get into those tight spots, there are people who say, ‘This is how you get over it. If you can’t make it, I’ll help you.’ It’s fun to be out there in the woods and going over walls. You make a plan, attack it and get over it. It’s addicting.”

Register for a Spartan Race at www.spartan.com. The elite and competitive divisions are filling up fast. The entry fee costs $154 for elite athletes and $144 for competitive athletes. The elite men start at 7:30 a.m., followed by the elite women at 7:45 a.m. The competitive heats run from 8 to 8:30 a.m.

Open races take place from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Waves of 250 contestants will enter the course every 15 minutes. The morning heats continue until noon, and cost $129 per person. Afternoon heats, which start at 12:15 p.m., are on sale for $79, but will increase up to $95.

Killian encourages competitors to hydrate and wear shoes with extra grip. He also tells them to take their time on each obstacle and have fun.