Six smash it in a scorching Spartan race

SIX BASS Coast locals brought home fistfuls of medals after competing in a scorching Spartan event held in Picton September 16-17. 

Michael Butera, Brian Cody, Nagiska and Jack Mayes, Ben and Kassie Annison all toughed it out the endurance event with distances of five, ten and twenty-one kilometres (kms), complete with challenging obstacles along the way.

The competitors endured obstacles like carrying a 30 - 50-kilogram (kg) concrete ball for 10 metres, bringing it back and placing it on the ground, climbing a four-metre rope straight up, hoisting 50 – 70 kg bags into the air on a pulley and lowering them back down, carrying sand bags over 100 metres and climbing up and over a seven-foot wall with nothing to grip on to. 

“It's absolutely a huge test of your mental and physical ability,” Michael said.

“It's great fun though.”

The biggest obstacle according to the competitors, was the heat, reaching between 33 and 35 degrees on the day.

“You can't train for that,” said Brian who, despite the searing heat earned first place in the 10km and fourth in both the 5km and 21km race in the 35-39 men’s category.

The group often train together running the George Bass trail between Kilcunda and San Remo and attend a couple of HIIT classes during the week.

Jack, who has been competing in Spartan events for two years said, “It was probably the hottest one I've ever done, at 35 degrees. I still loved every minute of it, though.” 

Jack and Nagiska both earnt first place in the 21km race for 25–29 male and female and Jack also took out first place in both the 5km and 10km race, with Nagiska coming second for the 5km and 10km races.

Jack loves the friendly competition and has already booked his ticket for the next event in Bright in February 2024, with the aim of upping his game and entering into the elite section. 

“I'll try to get better and faster for the next one,” he said. 

Michael came fourth in the 10km, fifth in the 5km and seventh in the 21km in the 40 to 44 category and is now gearing up for a Spartan event in Fiji this November - a gruelling 50km event. 

Michael and Brian also had the opportunity to take their children along, Ella, 8 and Levi, 5, to compete in the kids spartan race, which is 1.3 Km with 10 obstacles, and according to the dads, the kids both loved it. 

“It’s the first time he’s (Levi) actually done all the obstacles and didn't want to be carried by me or hold my hand the whole time,” Brian said.

Ben and Kassie Annison both competed in the open race with Ben achieving 23rd overall in the 45-49 men’s and Kassie ranking 59th overall in the 35–39 women’s. 

Brian commented that the community spirit at the event is what they all really love about it. 

“Anyone can have a go. You don’t have to race hard; you just go at your own pace and everyone in the open category are always there to help you. If you can't get over an obstacle, they'll help you do it... It can be done. It doesn't matter how fit you are or what your age is.”