On September 14, 2016

Spartans descend on Killington

Ascending Killington mountain many times in the Spartan Beast, Ultra Beast, and Sprint races, Sept. 17-18
KILLINGTON—This weekend, Sept. 17-18, Killington Resort will  host Spartan racers, who will embark on a unique and fun obstacle course. Killington, the birthplace of the Spartan Beast, hosted the Spartan World Championship Sept. 20-21, 2014. This year, athletes again will converge to play in what is known as “Joe’s backyard.” Spartan founder Joe DeSena calls Pittsfield home, just a few miles north of Killington.
Participants can expect steep slopes, off-trail descents, massive climbs, and chilly swims. “Come see where it all began and witness the menace that gave Spartan Race its roots,” organizers state. “Be forewarned though: this course has been known to destroy those not prepared in their mind, body, legs and soul.”
With 12-plus miles of course and over 30 obstacles to battle, the Spartan Beast will test the mental and physical strength of Spartan athletes of all ages. The Spartan Ultra Beast, also taking place on Saturday, will test the most extreme of Spartans, putting them to the test over the course of 24-plus miles and 60 miles (two laps).
On Sunday, the Spartan Sprint ofters athletes a shorter but equally intense  3-plus mile, 20-plusobstacle course.
A Spartan Kids Race will also be offered on Saturday and Sunday. Based on age, the kids’ races have obstacles just like the grown up versions. Registration is available right up until the date of the events, Sept. 17-18, at spartan.com.
The race will take place resort-wide. For more information, visit killington.com.
See section two of this edition for photos and additional information for athletes as well as spectators of the events.

Photo courtesy © Spartan Race Inc.
The fire jump is the frequently the final obstacle in the Spartan Beast. These three are almost finished!

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Two members, including chair, resign from the Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont

June 25, 2025
By Corey McDonald/VTDigger Two members of the Commission on the Future of Public Education in Vermont, including the commission’s chair, announced last week they would be resigning, saying they no longer believed their efforts would make any impact. Meagan Roy, the chair of the commission, and Nicole Mace, the former representative of the Vermont School Boards…

Vt plastic bag use dropped 91% following ban, researchers find

June 25, 2025
In the midst of 2020 Covid measures, another change took place in Vermont: A law went into effect banning businesses from offering plastic bags to customers, with paper bags only available for a fee. A 2023 analysis of a survey of hundreds of Vermonters found the law appeared to have worked. Plastic bag use in…

Pride in Rutland: Flags, resistance, and showing up

June 25, 2025
By Emily Pratt Slatin Pride returned to downtown Rutland this June with more color, noise, and purpose than ever before. What began as a joyful celebration quickly became something deeper—something that felt like resistance. And belonging. And a promise that no one in this community has to stand alone. The day kicked off with the…

Plan to manage 72,000 acres of the Telephone Gap project is finalized

June 25, 2025
Staff report The U.S. Forest Service issued its final plan for managing 72,000 acres of public and private land on June 16. The proposed Telephone Gap Integrated Resource Project area is located on the Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) within the towns of Brandon, Chittenden, Goshen, Killington, Mendon, Pittsfield, Pittsford, and Stockbridge. “The Telephone Gap project is…