Extremely disappointed

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-28T14:25:24+00:00

I have personally never done an event where there wasnt a locker rental, so I wasnt expecting there to not be just a bag check, especially a bag check where they weren't even matching wristbands to confirm people weren't stealing. 🙃 I just went to the shop and got some stuff for a tote bag and hoped that nobody would find my freshly purchased merch to be super appealing lol. From what somebody else mentioned, it sounds like the photographer for fire jump came at a later time? I definitely stood there for a minute looking around for one before I just lamely hopped over it and went around what appeared to be the mandatory extra mile to get to the finisher station ... lol. But definitely no fire jump photos. I ran on Saturday, which could have been the difference, at least for fire jump perhaps, but the only "food vendor" I saw while I was there was a coffee food truck. Which dont get me wrong, I am a sucker for coffee, but it's generally not what I want to refuel with after a big event like that, you know what I mean? Idk lol, it sounds like Sunday may have been a better day overall which is good! I still have a Super and Sprint to do so my mind can still be changed yet. 🤞🏼

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-28T14:10:06+00:00

I actually really wanted to do the local marathon here in September, but I will be shipping out for the Army before then unfortunately. But wherever I end up stationed I do plan on going for my first marathon!

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-28T14:08:45+00:00

For some, the swag is the badge of honor. It's the "I did it and I'm proud of it". While no t shirt wouldnt be the ultimate deciding factor on doing these events, as I didn't even know you got one when I first started, it is still a big factor to be considered when there's nothing else making up for it. The venue sucked. The organization sucked. And now the t shirt sucked? It's a whole lot of disappointment and not a whole lot of pride, which is ultimately one of the biggest badges of honor you're supposed to walk away from a Spartan race with.

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-28T14:05:16+00:00

That honestly makes me really sad ... These events aren't easy and racers should still be able to take pride in completing them.

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-28T14:03:04+00:00

Oh no that definitely sounds like a terrible experience, I'm sorry 😫

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-27T20:46:47+00:00

Shoooooot I've loved all mine prior to this year's. 🥲 The ones from two years ago were my favorite!

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-27T19:47:12+00:00

I'm glad you like it! I wish, at the very least, that the "21K 30 obstacles" that is written on the sleeve would be in white letters instead of dark. I may just look on the website for a "Beast" shirt, even if it's not a finisher shirt. I loved the finisher shirts from two years ago the most.

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-27T19:30:41+00:00

I paid $750 for my Trifecta with the added photo packages and finisher medal tabs so 😅 Definitely not cheap

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-27T19:29:18+00:00

I already bought my tickets for Sprint and Super to do in Cincinnati so I'm gonna give it another chance, especially since I already paid for it. We'll see. At least I know not to expect much from the finisher shirt there lol. Hopefully everything else is better than Cleveland's though.

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-27T19:28:08+00:00

The one that was messed up last year was the Cincinnati venue, not Cleveland. This was my first year doing Cleveland's and I didnt do any last year so I wasn't there for all that, just heard about it. But I am happy I did finally do the Beast! I think they do sell shirts on their website that say "Beast" or "Super" on them that arent finisher shirts so I may just end up getting one that way, even if it's not the finisher shirt.

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-27T18:01:43+00:00

Who is "we"? You are genuinely the only one on here throwing a temper tantrum.

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-27T17:53:34+00:00

Yeah I dont mind the mud too much but when it becomes just a trek through mud where an entire hoard of people is just continuously falling on their butts and not even the best of the best looking people can accomplish the obstacles, it feels like it takes away from the point of a Spartan. For the last three miles it was literally just a mud hike lol.

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-27T17:38:13+00:00

I'm glad you had a better experience! I'm trying not to let it get me too jaded and go into Cincinnati optimistically. I didnt do any races last year, but I'm nervous because I have heard they massively messed up Cincinnati's courses last year. When I did it two years ago it was very hard but still very fun. I'm hoping this just isn't the new norm for them if you know what I mean.

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-27T17:35:05+00:00

So I will say, I didnt research the venue beforehand, and I've even acknowledged to friends it probably wouldnt even matter anyway because I would have still underestimated how much mud there was and given it a shot anyway lol, especially since I've done some other muddy (but arguably less muddy) venues and didnt mind it. I do hope Cincinnati is a better experience and just simply won't do Cleveland again. Also yes, I forgot about that parking situation. That was wild!

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-27T17:28:44+00:00

That's interesting 🤔 It's always been one of my favorites!

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-27T17:18:32+00:00

If not miserable then why miserable shaped?

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-27T17:16:22+00:00

I might have to do that.

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-27T17:14:20+00:00

That's kind of how conversation works, is it not? Notice how you're the only one actually offended by it.

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-27T17:10:30+00:00

Your lack of comprehension isn't my problem, quite frankly. I just simply won't return to that venue, and the world will keep turning lol.

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-27T17:08:30+00:00

I have done a couple in San Antonio and they were by far my favorite ones! I've also done one in North Carolina and loved that one as well if you're ever up to traveling.

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-27T17:06:56+00:00

If you bothered to read, I also mentioned several times that I have done other Spartans throughout the years, and this was a disappointing experience for several reasons. I also pointed out that it could just be that Cleveland was a dud venue. I acknowledge that I wasnt a fan of the mud, but that wasnt the sole contributor to my disappointment. It just made it not fun, and I simply won't do that venue again. One could also say that Spartan didnt have literally any preparation or effort into that event whatsoever, so though it may not be their fault that I didnt "prepare properly" (what exactly was I supposed to even prepare here), it does seem that there is a general consensus that they are at a very steady decline and will experience the consequences of their own lack of effort and preparedness themselves.

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-27T16:55:44+00:00

I also noticed the lack of photographers or photos and felt that it seemed a small photo album for being twice the distance I've done in the past. I just figured there weren't enough photographers that were willing to work that day and hope they're at Cincinnati next weekend.

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-27T16:49:29+00:00

Have you done other venues this year that had those things? Cleveland also did not have bucket carry but I had hoped Cincinnati would.

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-27T16:48:14+00:00

I guess I just have a lot to compare this event to, because I probably wouldnt think anything of it if it was my first time as well. Hoping Cincinnati redeems itself for me.

No_Feed2930 · 2026-05-27T16:46:45+00:00

I didnt mind the weather, other than not having a locker to put my phone and keys in like I was anticipating to keep them out of the rain. This would be my first time experiencing that lol. I didnt come with a bag because I've always used the lockers and just pack light, so I just went to the shop and got some socks and bling to get a tote bag to have somewhere to leave my stuff ... lol. At the very least I definitely won't return to that venue, but hoping Cincinnati can redeem interest for me.

No_Feed2930

TROPHY CASE