The world’s popular mudfest obstacle race, Spartan Race is going to Hong Kong in November. Some 8,000 people are expected to tackle some 20 obstacles over a 6km course at Kam Tin Country Club in Yuen Long.

“We wanted to do something that’s not just another run. Looking at the number of runners, trail events and sports clubs in Hong Kong, [it shows] the demand is there,” says Charlz Ng, founder of Hybrid Group, the organiser of the Spartan race.

Obstacle course racing has been called the fastest-growing sport in history, with some 5.3 million people worldwide expected to participate in an obstacle course races in 2016.

Spartan Race – one of the industry’s big three, along with Tough Mudder and Warrior Dash – started in 2010 with 500 competitors in its first race in Vermont in the United States. By the end of 2016, some one million people will have taken part in 170 Spartan events in more than 25 countries.

In Asia, South Korea was the first to have the event in 2013, followed by Malaysia and Singapore in 2015, and very recently, along with Hong Kong, Indonesia, Taiwan and mainland China joined the list.

Created by adventure and endurance racer Joseph De Sena, who previously owned a Wall Street trading firm, Spartan has various race distances: “sprint” (at least 5km and 20 obstacles), “super” (at least 13km and 25 obstacles) and “beast” (at least 19km and 30 obstacles). There are also competitions for children aged four to 14, ranging from 800 metres to 3.2km long. For Hong Kong’s inaugural race, only the “sprint” distance will be offered.

“I guarantee if you don’t have a regular exercise programme, you won’t be able to complete the Spartan Race,” says Ng.

Failure to clear any obstacle will incur a 30 burpees penalty before being allowed to continue the course. The fastest competitors take about 40 minutes to complete the sprint, while the average finisher takes about 90 minutes.

To get participants ready for Spartan Race Hong Kong, the race organisers have teamed up with fitness solutions provider All About Aesthetics to provide free weekly workouts.

For more details about, and to register for, Spartan Race Hong Kong, see spartanrace.hk or check out its Facebook page at facebook.com/spartanracehongkong.

Read more at South China Morning Post.