SPARTAN
Spartan races are held all over the world including here in the UK, the races are held over different distances, at different venues and are a test of your obstacle skills, strength and endurance, you can run a sprint to start which is around 5K all the way up to an Ultra Beast which is around 50k.
There is always a great feeling of friendship and camaraderie at an event which is what drew me into becoming a Spartan SGX Coach & Spartan Obstacle Specialist, it also influenced me to build Spartan like obstacles at OPP, so i can help coach new and veteran Spartans towards there next event.
Obstacle Coaching
and Fitness
If you want to take your Spartan training to another level or need some extra coaching I offer 1-1 coaching either for fitness or obstacles, or you can organise your own small group of up to 4 people if you want to train with friends, contact me for more details
Very pleased to have become only the second coach in the UK to acheive SGX Level 2 coach status & Spartan Obstacle Specalist Instructor making me one of the most qualified Spartan coaches in the country
We have the most extensive selection of Spartan Obstacles outside of a Spartan race in the UK and will be adding even more in time for the beginning of the courses in 2023, over the last few years we have began to see more and more podiums at elite and age category levels along with some amazing improvements in our beginners.
I have been coaching obstacles for the last 10 years and coaching many other sports for as long as I can remember, I am now a Spartan Level 2 Coach, Spartan Obstacle Specialist instructor and CrossFit coach and I plan to bring all of the knowledge and experience I have gained together, to offer you the best facility to train in and the best opportunity for you to fulfil your goals and potential, the schedule will take in all Spartan races as well as OCR Europeans and OCR Worlds so some of the training will prepare you for these events also, as we will not just be training on Spartan obstacles but any obstacle that will make you a better athlete.
The training groups will be limited to only 16 per group, starting in February 2023. Along with the Obstacle Packages you can add 1-1 coaching, online coaching, or training plans, for both your conditioning and obstacle training.
Spartan Obstacle Workshops
These days are for anybody wanting to get more out of there Spartan race its fine for first timers or anybody looking to improve there technique or pick up some tips to make there race go a little smoother on the day.
We will cover as many obstacles as we can on the day leaving time for a little free play and finishing with a run around the OPP Spartan course which has every obstacle you are likely to come a cross on race day.
Your Coach Mark is a level 2 SGX coach one of only 2 Spartan Obstacle Specialist instructors in the UK, and runs Obstacle Specialists courses for Spartan US at Obstacle Play Park, the only venue currently available for this in the UK
Along with the Race Prep Days there will be
Spartan Obstacle Specialist Courses and
Advanced Obstacle Specialist Course through the year.
Race Day Prep 2024 Dates
Spartan Beginners
Saturday 30th March 10.30 - 1.00pm cost from £45 for early booking £55 for late booking (after 1st April 2023)
The course will be limited to a maximum of 20 people,
Spartan Obstacle Specalist Course
NEW 2024 dates will be here soon
For the first time in the UK an obstacle specalist course will was held outside of a race venue and im delighted to say it was at OPP.
Insider intel. Obstacle mastery. Unlock it all with a Spartan Obstacle Specialist Session. Designed for first-time racers and diehards alike, expert instructors will teach you techniques to dominate obstacles on the race course and in your daily training. You’ll get practice time and tips on almost every major obstacle from Spear Throw to Rope Climb and more. This session is your key to confidence and success on the race course
Spartan Advanced Obstacle Specalist Course
NEW 2024 dates will be here soon
If you have mastered the basics of Spartan Obstacles then this will help you get to the next level, we will work on the more technical obstacles and help you learn to dominate them for your next race.
OPP SPARTAN TIME TRIALS
NEW AND IMPROVED COURSE
Although some of the more experienced and competitive athletes will race, the course is also a great opportunity to test yourself in something similar to what you will find on race days so you can maybe find your weaknesses and have the opportunity to work on these before your next race.
it doesn't mater if your a racer or fun runner the aim is to enjoy it in a friendly atmosphere.
OPP Spartan time trial is a chance to train under more race like conditions, 39 Spartan type obstacles and carries over 1.5km.
Its a self timed event with penalties for failed obstacles or you can go head to head with somebody or just run round with friends for fun.
You will be set THREE at a time at 30 second intervals there is an opportunity to run more than once but you will need to have started your second attempt by 9.40 cut of time is 10.15 AS OPEN PRACTICE STARTS AT 10.00am
Rules (These are going to kept simple)
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15 burpee penalty for obstacle failure, you have to attempt the obstacle first
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You MUST complete ALL CARRIES AND THE TYRE FLIP
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On single obstacles first to touch the obstacle has first attempt-if you fail you go straight to your burpees
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Fastest time must be a clear round to be recorded
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You must be considerate of others during your round, if somebody is clearly faster than you then give way to them
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Be honest - there is nothing to be gained by cheating - i expect everyone to take there penalties if needed and to be honest with there timings
Junior Spartan Training
NEW date for 2024 will appear here soon
This will be aimed at different age categories for both competitive and fun runners
Juniors moving to Adult races
Juniors looking to step up to adult racing 13-15 year olds that are ready or close to running in adult waves, this can be a scary time for a junior so i'm developing this programme to support and prepare anybody making that first step to adult races, at OPP we have every obstacle you are likely to face in a UK race and some European events. We will work on some fitness, mind set and technical skills plus i will be bringing in some experience racers to chat to and to ask questions.
There will be 5 sessions through the year but sessions 1 & 2 will be repeated so if you miss one you get a second opportunity or you can go over what happened in a previous session, session 3 will be the final session and there will be no repeat of this session.
the sessions will comprise of
Warm Up and why we do it
Workout
Technical session and race simulations
Cool down and why we do it.
Juniors 9-13 years
These will follow on from the younger age group but will a little more seriousness while still keeping it fun, the workouts will be a little harder.
Dates:-
Juniors 6-9 years
These will be fun workout in which we will use bodyweight exersises and movements to help with obstacles during a race and obstacle sessions to start preparing for Junior Spartans.
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Spartan SGX
Spartan SGX classes involve a mixture of body weight functional movements and the use of equipment, such as tyres ropes and different carries to help prepare you not only for a Spartan race but to help you achieve a good level of functional fitness to help in your everyday life.
I am currently running Spartan SGX Online sessions via the zoom app, you can see times of all the current classes on the online classes page or you can follow the link below to book.
Spartan Hurricane Heats
In addition to the races you can also take part in a series of endurance events the most notable is the Hurricane Heat, I taken part in the 4 hour event, also the H3X a 4,12 & 24 hour global event which I took part in for the 4 & 12 hour portions.
As a practice event for these we run OPP Endurace events
Spartan Obstacles at OPP
Here at OPP I can't have real Spartan obstacles, but they are really close in a lot of cases to the real thing, so you can practice the techniques that you need to conquer your spartan races, wether they are at home or abroad, I am also an experianced Spartan races and coach so happy to help you acheive your goals, Aroo
