My Story
I started racing competitively at the age of 9, and since then I've competed in the World Championships in Florida and the European Championships in the UK, where I made the podium.
The idea of racing at a World Championships was daunting at first, but it meant I had the opportunity to travel with my friends and compete for my country.
Racing isn't always easy, especially when things don't go your way. But that's taught me how to deal with setbacks, and the community makes it worthwhile and keeps me going.
Spartan Kids gave me the chance to experience new things, build confidence, and stay healthy and fit. These are traits I'll carry for life, and I've even seen them reflect onto my schoolwork.
When I started, it was about the fun of racing and the friendships I made along the way. As I've got older, I've become more passionate about the sport, going from hating training to loving it, and working on my weaknesses to become the best version of myself.
The turning point for me was the Spartan Kids World Championships in 2022. That's when I realised how much I loved the sport, and that all the training had been worthwhile. After we got back to the UK, I started working on my running and competing in other OCR events across the country, which led to racing abroad in the World and European FISO championships too, a sport similar to Spartan but more technical.
My favourite thing about Spartan is the atmosphere, there are so many friendly people around. Playing the different games with prizes with my best friends has always been fun, and getting a burger at the end doesn't hurt either. Everyone cheers as your name gets called out for the podium.
My favourite obstacle was always the rings, I love a swinging obstacle. When I was younger I used to dread the balance beam, especially having to do it twice. I loved the 3k distance, and the section that went through the forest, I found it so interesting.
My favourite venue was Henley. Now I've moved up to the adult's races, I can't wait to explore more venues. The transfer between the kids and adult's races wasn't too difficult for me, I'd already trained with weights and had the obstacle ability, so I felt prepared. I've done the Super and the Sprint, and I prefer the Super, it lasts longer and has more obstacles, which is my favourite part.
What Does Spartan Offer?
Little Spartans — A 1k course for ages 4-6, full of fun with parents. It's all about persevering and teamwork, introducing kids to the world of racing through running, jumping and swinging.
Junior Spartans — A 1.5k course for ages 7-9, a fun, intriguing challenge full of laughter.
Competitive Spartans — A 3k course, the ultimate test for kids who like to push their abilities. Overcoming obstacles and racing alongside competitors fuels a winning mindset.
And there's nothing better than earning a t-shirt, a shiny medal, and a tasty treat at the end, making your child feel like they've achieved something big. That finish line feeling stays with them forever.
The Development of Racers
Spartan builds a steady foundation for kids to grow from. The races are fun, yet offer enough challenge to keep them invested, and that challenge builds gradually as they grow stronger, mentally and physically. You never know the progression a child can make when they keep turning up. The kids who are most disciplined about something they love are often the ones who go furthest in the sport, and training with friends helps too, you push each other while still having a laugh.
It progresses from the goal of simply finishing to racing your main competition. Along the way, kids grow ambitious and determined, and make friends with the people who are also their biggest competitors.
Spartan offers races from regional level right through to World Championships. For me, the best takeaway is learning to push yourself outside your comfort zone, something that helps in later life. You also learn how to deal with nerves from a young age, and there's no feeling quite like the sense of achievement at the end.
It's More Than Just a Race
On race day, there's the support of a parent while you're warming up, reassuring you it'll be fine once you're out there. There's the warmth of everyone cheering, whether you're crossing the finish line or standing on the podium. And there are the everlasting memories made with friends.
The community is full of inclusivity and joy, kids feel welcome and safe in the Spartan environment. Even when I was young, my parents let me roam the event village with my friends for hours, because they trusted the people around us.
Kids remember these days when they're adults. Knowing you did the best you could, whether that's conquering the obstacles or just finishing, fills you with a joy that's hard to describe. It gives children the self-belief to strive for whatever they want in life.
Role Models
Role models are powerful for young kids, they inspire who a child wants to be when they're older. Seeing the elites perform from a young age gave me an idea of how I wanted my own Spartan journey to progress. Watching them tackle tough obstacles and race incredibly fast made me want to train more and race more. Surrounding kids in this environment can have a huge impact on what they go on to achieve.
Sign your kid up today to start their Spartan journey.
