Finally! Spartan Race has officially announced that there will be no more burpees for Elite and Age Group runners in 2023. The announcement was made official with the release of the Spartan Race 2023 Rulebook. That means as of 1/1/ 23 there will be no burpees for the competitive playoffs. Of course, the penalty is replaced by another punishment for not being able to pass the test.
So shall. All obstacles during Elite and Age Group heats will only have penalty loops starting in 2023 (except for Stadion races where the penalty will remain 15 burpees). It is as advertised in the new Spartan Race 2023 Rules book.
No more Burpees at Spartan Race
For a few years, Spartan Race has featured a mix of penalties including 30 burpees and penalty runs. Establishing the penalty based on the individual obstacle and the race. And in the future, starting in 2023, they will strictly switch to penalty runs and remove the burpee penalty. Something exclusive to the brand that most people either loved or hated, although you have to admit, they were a difficult addition to events.
Below are the details that Spartan Race has posted regarding which penalty laps will work.
- The standard length of all turns of race will be 200 meters on flat ground.
- Modified loops (Loops with more than 25 meters of vertical slope or that include hauling) will be 100 meters.
- When the penalty is a carrythe standard weight for penalty loop carries for all categories of competitors is 27 kg for men and 18 kg for women.
However, it seems that there is still room for burpees. So only the runners will be able to choose what they would like to do, even though we know what the outcome is.
Why have they changed?
Spartan Race works to build the brand as a truly competitive event, worthy of being presented at the Olympic level. There needs to be rules for judging in all competitions. And for years, Spartan Race burpees have been a pain for the brand when judging elite runners and age groups. Between the different movement standards and the number of runners in the course who are missing or skip burpees. There have been complaints for years because many riders missed the penalty and got a better time.
Now it will be much easier for the brand to judge the competitions and there will be much less controversy between the best athletes. Also, it will appeal to a lot of runners who didn’t want to do burpees and would rather do a penalty run.