Help the Heros – Spartan Races at Bassingbourn Barracks

( This is where I spent my 18th birthday with the 5th Royal Anglian Regiment ? years ago )

Spartan Races Cambridge (spartanrace.com) came to Basingbourn for a day-long competition beginning at 10am at the Army Training Regiment Bassingbourn Barracks, ROYSTON on 19th September 2010. The competition was followed by post-race heroes bbq with activities and live music, feats of strength, Spartan Combat and much more.

Although the weather was rough, it was dryish but very windy. Not the best day for Essex based fire breather Richard Palmer to work his magic at the start of each race.

This festive event welcomed the public to come and support their favorite Spartans and enjoy the live entertainment. During the whole event the atmosphere was quite fantastic. Participants ran in all sorts of attire and although conditions could have been better, everyone seemed to enjoy the occasion.

The Spartan Race Series was conceived by Cambridgeshire resident Richard Lee (former Royal Marine) and Joe Desena of Pittsfield, VT USA, who is known as the uber-sports guru and mastermind of the now-infamous 24 hour Death Race held annually in Vermont.

Race organisers were pleased to welcome around a thousand racers who were prepared to brave a short 5 km, obstacle-strewn course that included, among other things, spear throwing, mud crawls, climbing 8-foot walls, fire jumping and battling Spartan gladiators.