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Thousands turn out for Spartan obstacle course race in SLO County. See the photos

kelsey oliver
·2 min read

Hold on to your horses, the Spartans have descended on Santa Margarita’s wine country hills for the weekend.

On the Santa Margarita Ranch, thousands of runners dashed through rows of grapevines, climbed over obstacles, carried boulders and sprinted through open valleys, surrounded by Los Padres National Forest.

The Spartan Race, sponsored by Visit SLO CAL, returned to Santa Margarita Ranch for the third time.

The event offers a trifecta of racing opportunities, including the Sprint 5K (20 obstacles), Super 10K (25 obstacles) and Beast 21K (30 obstacles). For the ultimate athletes, the Ultra 50K challenged competitors with 60 obstacles and an average run time of more than eight hours.

Anil Ratti of Reno competes in the stone carry at the Spartan race event held in Santa Margarita on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.
Anil Ratti of Reno competes in the stone carry at the Spartan race event held in Santa Margarita on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.

The Beast and Ultra were held on Saturday, with the Sprint and Super going on Sunday.

Event organizers expected as many as 6,000 participants this year, across all skill levels participated.

“It’s been a really great turnout. We have people from all over ... even people that used to go to Cal Poly. So they’re coming back to enjoy this race,” said Mayla Lohnes of Visit SLO CAL.. “We’re really happy to have it in Santa Margarita and be able to represent SLO CAL to people that might not understand our region.”

A participant tackles the multi-rig swing during the Spartan race event held in Santa Margarita on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, featuring a variety of obstacles and courses of different challenge levels.
A participant tackles the multi-rig swing during the Spartan race event held in Santa Margarita on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, featuring a variety of obstacles and courses of different challenge levels.

The event also included 1-3K kids races both days/

“It’s really exciting for the kids being able to compete and enjoy the race and they all enjoy running, so they’re able to get involved too,” Lohnes said.

The courses took runners through grapevines, wildlife views and a fossilized oyster bed, with new routes climbing upwards of 3,000 feet in elevation gain, according to SLO CAL’s course event page.

Kids take off at the Spartan race event held in Santa Margarita on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, featuring a variety of obstacles and courses of different challenge levels.
Kids take off at the Spartan race event held in Santa Margarita on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, featuring a variety of obstacles and courses of different challenge levels.

Santa Margarita Ranch is one of the largest operating vineyards in an area known for its wine production, according to official race website.

Visit SLO CAL had an on-site activation and will also have one on Sunday, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at Santa Margarita Ranch, 5995 W Pozo Road in Santa Margarita.

For more information on the event, visit the Spartan website.

A Spartan race event held in Santa Margarita on Nov. 2, 2024, featured a selection of challenging obstacle courses.
A Spartan race event held in Santa Margarita on Nov. 2, 2024, featured a selection of challenging obstacle courses.
Race participant climb the A-frame at the Spartan race event held in Santa Margarita on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, featuring a variety of obstacles and courses of different challenge levels.
Race participant climb the A-frame at the Spartan race event held in Santa Margarita on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, featuring a variety of obstacles and courses of different challenge levels.
Participants climb up a rope obstacle during the Spartan race event held in Santa Margarita on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, featuring a variety of obstacles and courses of different challenge levels.
Participants climb up a rope obstacle during the Spartan race event held in Santa Margarita on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, featuring a variety of obstacles and courses of different challenge levels.
Exhausted participants walk on the last portion of the Spartan race held in Santa Margarita on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, featuring a variety of obstacles and courses of different challenge levels.
Exhausted participants walk on the last portion of the Spartan race held in Santa Margarita on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, featuring a variety of obstacles and courses of different challenge levels.
Jessica Beltran participates in the the stone carry at the Spartan race event held in Santa Margarita on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, featuring a variety of obstacles and courses of different challenge levels.
Jessica Beltran participates in the the stone carry at the Spartan race event held in Santa Margarita on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, featuring a variety of obstacles and courses of different challenge levels.