See how Big White will become Sparta this weekend

You won’t need to go all the way to Thermopylae to witness a Spartan triumph.

The famous obstacle race is coming to Kelowna.

And for the first time in the organization’s history, the Spartan North American Championships will be hosted outside the United States, coming to Big White Ski Resort.

“Just the level of competition you’re going to see here, is really the best athletes from across the continent will be up there,” Gary Belanger, global director of consumer insights and analytics for Spartan, told Kelowna10.

August 27 to 28, Big White will be transformed into a grueling obstacle course, challenging racers with steep terrain, various climbing implements, and dozens of other challenges.

Not just bragging rights will be up for grabs at the North American Championships. Organizers are awarding almost $80,000 in cash prizes to the top finishers.

The Spartan Beast, a 21 km race with 30 obstacles, is their signature test for elite challengers aiming for prize money. Everyone participating is awarded a medal and free swag.

The championship joins the European equivalent as qualifiers to find their world champion.

Running as a team or individually, contestants can sign up for various race lengths with different numbers of obstacles; from 5 km all the way up to 50 km.

Since 2010, Spartan has hosted events all over the world, challenging everyone to push their physical limits.

“We’ve had everyone from hardcore athletes to Olympic athletes. Some of our current champions are champions from other sports who have come over,” Belanger said, “ … but a lot of them are weekend warriors. They’re putting in a normal nine to five job and this is what they’re looking forward to on the weekend; going out to play in the mud.”

In consideration for where to host these events, Spartan looks at a venue’s ability to handle the influx of people. He said typically the event can attract thousands, which can be a major boost for the local economy.

He added they would look to make special obstacles to commemorate the occasion as well as special swag given out. Organizers promise it will be a special Spartan to attend.

“It’s like going and playing on the world cup pitch where you’re actually on the same field that the champions are on,” Belanger said.

“Open racers will be running the same exact course, same exact obstacles that the champions are going to be on. So, we typically see a higher attendance in these events.”