Spartan Race Thailand is partnering with Blue Tree Phuket and RUNRIO to host the ‘Phuket Spartan Trifecta & APAC Championship Weekend 2023’ on Nov 25-26 when Spartans who thrive on challenges will be able to push themselves and earn their medals with pride.
The announcement was made at an official press conference on Friday at Central Festival in Kathu where organisers said they anticipate over 10,000 athletes and followers from over 30 countries will attend the event next month, which is estimated to generate in excess of B300 million for the local economy.
Blue Tree Phuket and nearby areas in Cherng Talay will host the two-day event which will incorporate five separate competition categories: the 21-kilometre Beast, including 30 obstacles; the 10km Super, including 25 obstacles; the 5km Sprint, including 20 obstacles; the 3.2km Spartan Kids; and the Hurricane Heat team competition.
Founded in 2007, Spartan Race is a series of obstacle races of varying distance and difficulty ranging from 3 miles to marathon distances, with obstacles such as off-road running, mud wading, zip-lining, net climbing and wall climbing. It is said to be the world’s largest obstacle and endurance race and events are held regularly in cities worldwide.
This year’s event in Phuket follows on from the inaugural event staged at the same venue last year, which proved a great success. However, this year’s edition will see almost double the number of participants and observers, with the former contending with an expanded and more difficult course, organisers said.
“As the main sponsor of this event Blue Tree Phuket is 100% ready and cannot wait to welcome competition athletes and followers,” Johan Wallen, General Manager of Blue Tree Phuket said at Friday’s press conference.
“As well as the main competition, visitors will have chance to relax and enjoy the wide range of facilities at Blue Tree Phuket all weekend long, such as the Blue Tree Lagoon, which has the largest crystal lagoon in the Asia Pacific region. Additionally, there are first-class indoor and outdoor exercise facilities and a range of dining and entertainment options,” Mr Wallen added.
TCEB Deputy Director Phuriphan Bunnag said the event will help to reinforce Thailand’s position as a leader in hosting mega events and renowned world festivals.
“Spartan is a hugely popular worldwide event, licensed from the United States with a huge fanbase across the world,” said Mr Phuriphan.
“We believe that this competition is a fantastic opportunity that will elevate Phuket towards its goal of becoming a world-class sports city,” he added. “It can also serve to highlight the potential of the province and Thailand in general of hosting world-class events that can create a sustainable economic, social, and environmental legacy.”
Rewat Areerob, President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization (PPAO), echoed Mr Phuriphan’s comments, stating that Phuket hosting such a popular event will help reinforce the province’s standing as a major tourist and sports destination that can attract and host major events.
“Phuket as the host city is fully prepared and ready to welcome Spartans from all over the world,” Mr Rewat said. “You will definitely have an impressive experience from participating in this event, in terms of facilities, cleanliness, safety and convenience that everyone can access.”
Bunperm Inthanapasath, Executive Director of Spartan Race Thailand and Vietnam and an executive of the RUNRIO group of companies, also had praise for Phuket as the host city, citing the diverse range of natural elements such as sea, mountains, forests and roads that are ideal for the challenges the event incorporates.
“RUNRIO have seen an opportunity in Phuket to build on last year’s event and create even greater value,” he said. “The Spartan Race World Series is a global phenomenon with over 1.5 million participants and Phuket is an important part of the series,” he added.
The event is being organised by Spartan Race Thailand in collaboration with Blue Tree Phuket, Run Rio Thailand, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and the Sports Authority of Thailand (TAT). For more information on the event and cost of entry please visit the Spartan Race Thailand website or Facebook page.