Page 20 - Fiji Traveller Issue 3

Spartan to conquer

Sabeto foothills

By Alipate Pareti training. So there’s a group of hardcore people
who love doing the hurricane heat and they are
The Spartan Games has earned the getting excited because of Fiji and the different
reputation of being the world’s leading obstacle experience it will provide.
race course and it is coming to Fiji this year. “On Saturday will be an ‘Endurance Day’,
Spartans were one amongst the most feared that is a 50km race and there will be a 21km
and formidable forces in the ancient Greek marathon race. So a very big day on Saturday
world, withstanding the Persian Empire to - early start and late finish for the teams. In the
their last breath. You may recall learning about 50km race, the athletes will have a 14hr time
Sparta in ancient history lessons, or seeing a limit to complete the race. So it’s a very long
heavily-fictionalised version in the movie ‘300’. and tough day but it’s part of the Spartan brand,”
Now modern and friendlier (yet very Heverin adds.
competitive) Spartans will set foot in Sabeto, Fiji, To close off on Sunday, is the ‘Super and the
thousands of miles away from the Mediterranean Sprint’. “The Super is the 10km Spartan race and
from 9th to 12th November this year. the Sprint is the 5km race. So basically, anyone
Plans to hold the Spartan Games in Fiji were who looks after themselves and is interested in
put on hold for the last few years due to Covid. keeping fit and healthy and is frequent to the
Spartan Games Managing Director, Chris gym can easily do a 5km race. And the 5km
Heverin says, “We started discussing with the includes the archery event and people do love
Fiji Government back in mid-2019…so we’re getting involved in that,” said Heverin.
really pleased to reinvigorate discussions and Tourism Fiji and Fiji Airways are working
enter in agreement to come to Fiji and we’re closely with the Fiji government to ensure
really excited about this.” the Games’ success, with special deals and
The actual route of the Spartan obstacle packages to make competitors’ stays safe and
course is yet to be disclosed, but the general convenient.
location will be around the thick lush terrain of the Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism Minister,
Sabeto ‘sleeping giant’ foothills and mountain Viliame Gavoka says, “In terms of direct
ranges. The organisers are keeping that secret economic benefit, the event organisers forecast
safe for now as we wait for the participants. a total revenue of approximately $12 million per
The program actually runs over four days, annum - this includes $1.2 million by the event
Heverin says. “There’s a ‘Spartan trial’ on organisers and $10.8 million by the participants.”
Thursday which is an important part of the They are also hoping competitors and their
Spartan experience. On Friday, during the day families will arrive a little early to enjoy a little bit
will be ‘Kid’s Day’ and our courses are especially of Fiji while they acclimatise themselves under
modified for kids from 8 - 12 years of age. And the tropical Fijian weather, or stay on after they
one of the great things about the kid’s race is compete to recover and explore more of the
that the parents are allowed to go on the course country.
with their kids.
“Also on Friday evening is the ‘Hurricane au.spartan.com/en/race/detail/7921/
Heat’. The hurricane heat is like the SAS overview
Spartan Race Australia/NZ

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