Spartan Conquers The Desert As Thousands Take on The 2025 Spartan World Championship Weekend in Abu Dhabi

November 25, 2025

Four days of racing unite global athletes in Al Wathba’s unforgiving dunes, with thousands proving they are made of more.

ABU DHABI, UAE (November 25, 2025) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The 2025 Abu Dhabi Spartan World Championship Weekend concluded on Sunday in Al Wathba after four days of intense competition, community celebration, and unforgettable moments in the desert. Hosted in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, this year’s championship weekend welcomed thousands of Spartans from across the world, transforming the rolling dunes of Al Wathba into a powerful arena of grit, resilience, and global unity.

Across Sprint, Super, Beast, Kids and Team Relay formats, athletes, elite competitors and everyday Spartans alike, faced punishing heat, soft sand, steep dune climbs, and Spartan’s toughest signature obstacles. From the first start horn to the final fire jump, the atmosphere was electric as racers pushed through one of the most physically demanding championship venues on the Spartan calendar.

The highlight of the weekend, the Beast 21K World Championship, saw athletes battle technical sand ridges, heavy carries, and 30 world-class obstacles. Alisa Petrova claimed the women’s World Championship title, while France’s Gregory Basilico earned victory in the men’s World Championship, each rising above an exceptionally competitive field.

But the weekend was defined by much more than podium placements. It was a celebration of global participation, community, and shared perseverance. Racers from more than 40 nations took on the desert side by side, many stepping into a Spartan World Championship environment for the very first time.

One of the most powerful moments of the weekend came during the Women’s-Only Sprint, where hundreds of female athletes took to the dunes in a supportive, high-energy environment. With a fully female crew, women-only course access, and a festival atmosphere built around empowerment, the race became a standout celebration of strength and solidarity.

Held between November 20–23, the event brought together:

• Sprint – 5K, 20 obstacles
• Women’s-Only Sprint – 5K, 20 obstacles
• Super – 10K, 25 obstacles
• Beast – 21K, 30 obstacles (Elite & Age Group World Championships)
• Kids Race – 1–3K + obstacles
• *3K Team Relay – Elite Team Relay Championships

Racers were met with Spartan’s most iconic obstacles including Spear Throw, A-Frame, Hercules Hoist, Multi-Rig, Atlas Carry, and the signature fire jump. All reshaped for the desert setting. Families, supporters, and spectators filled the Al Wathba festival zone, enjoying Emirati hospitality, cultural displays, and panoramic desert views.

“The dunes of Al Wathba pushed athletes harder than ever and they showed up with everything they had,” said Joe De Sena, CEO and Founder of Spartan. “This weekend wasn’t just about crowning champions. It was about thousands of Spartans proving to themselves that they’re capable of more than they imagined. Abu Dhabi delivered another unforgettable, world-class championship experience.”

With thousands of finishers and an atmosphere unlike any other Spartan venue, the 2025 Abu Dhabi World Championship Weekend reinforced the UAE’s position as a premier host for world-class endurance events.

For photos, highlights, and full results, visit: https://www.spartan.com/en/races/abu-dhabi

Press imagery can be seen here.

-ENDS-

ABOUT SPARTAN

With more than 250 events across more than 40 countries on six continents, Spartan is the world’s largest obstacle course race (OCR) and endurance brand. Providing transformation through sport, Spartan attracts more than one million annual participants across all fitness levels, from beginners to elite.

For more information visit  https://www.spartan.com/

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