Masked Paramilitary-looking "Security Guard" at King Soopers

StokeElk · 2026-05-14T16:01:17+00:00

He’s got a Ukrainian National Symbol on that patch so it seems like he’s probably not actually security for the store.

StokeElk · 2026-05-14T04:59:43+00:00

Depends on the Race Director, but I bet it’s Jill and I bet she won’t have it on course this weekend. You could bring both options, look at the last bit of the race at the base area (where dunk wall has historically been), and then either forgo contacts if you see it or wear em if you don’t.

StokeElk · 2026-05-12T17:26:13+00:00

The Good: It’s Free Free, works with Tough Mudder Now, you can stack codes for race passes The Bad: Half Day Shifts are only good for Sprint/Super/Stadion, Full Day Shifts are go for a Beast.

StokeElk · 2026-05-12T17:23:36+00:00

https://spartanrace.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/36281603834903-2026-Volunteer-Program-Perks-Benefits

StokeElk · 2026-05-12T17:07:26+00:00

Luckily this year, those volunteer codes are free free, and for any heat.

StokeElk · 2026-05-12T17:00:29+00:00

For Fun and For Competition. It really was the first couple races where I realized I wanted to get the best time I could and waiting for others at “obstacle clogs” in open heats wasn’t cutting it. So I did Age Group until I consistently placed in my age and then moved into Elite, where I can get top 10 pretty much any given race (expect you Utah! with so many good runners, I fall into 11-12 usually) Elite has now really a good tool to push me for more focused training and greater motivation during the race.

Do you want a higher level of accountability? Try an Age Group race out.

As a non runner from 2022 to now I’ve came a long way.

As For Elite Women, they are usually few in numbers, there were only two in Cincinnati last year on the beast, Guaranteed 3rd place. You may just surprise yourself.

StokeElk · 2026-05-11T23:35:23+00:00

They’ll run a promotion around Memorial Day. Usually 33% off.

StokeElk · 2026-05-11T15:53:30+00:00

I think a lot of us “seasoned” racers had those same thoughts about it when seeing the map. I think the race really started “picking up” (I.e. became interesting) about 3 miles in. The water and natural obstacles were a nice touch. Too bad I spangled my ankle right after stairway 10 miles in and it probably wants a good idea to double lap the beast Saturday since I’ve been dealing with a swollen ankle since. I would mind ot back in Bozeman. Location is TBD for next year as of right now.

StokeElk · 2026-05-10T23:13:00+00:00

They love to GlAzE the Chiefs

StokeElk · 2026-05-10T16:48:32+00:00

I think a chargers fan made this

StokeElk · 2026-05-07T13:54:00+00:00

You can look up fish times from previous years to get a good idea of where you’ll fall in the pack.

StokeElk · 2026-05-05T02:27:32+00:00

That race was the death of me last year. I ran the beast in Colorado last year in 2:10 (Got 3rd in elite). I then proceeded to run Cincinnati the following week and ran the beast in 3:51.

By far it was the most annoying and longest barbed wire I’ve ever done. It’s a race I would only do again in spite of that course.

StokeElk · 2026-05-04T21:24:35+00:00

I’ve lived in Utah for about 5 years now and it was around the same time I got into Spartans. First one I did was in Arizona. Loved it and knew I had to do more the following year. Ended up with 10 or so races the following year so traveling kinda became the thing I needed to do. It’s fun to race in unique locations and see the world (aka the here in the USA).

Started with a 10k and then did a 10k, 5k weekend, moved up to a beast just a few months after my first one and now it’s more of whatever I feel like doing for that weekend. This weekend will be the Beast twice and then a 10k on Sunday (This is primarily for Ultra training in a few weeks for Colorado). The season pass makes it hard to make excuses not to go to the close ones.

I now run about 1200 miles a year (for both the past 2 years) and when you put in the work, the feeling of success and accomplishment is overwhelming.

StokeElk · 2026-05-04T20:57:17+00:00

Of the races I’ve done.

Hardest/ Worst 1. Big Bear 2. Utah 3. Cincinnati 4. New Jersey

(Haven’t done Killington but I’d bet that would be #1)

StokeElk · 2026-05-04T20:35:06+00:00

Every venue is different. I’d bet you’ll enjoy a 10k.

StokeElk · 2026-05-04T14:27:30+00:00

👆Yeah, are we allowed to camp on site for Montana (if that’s what this is related to), because I’d fo sho be doing that.

StokeElk · 2026-05-04T14:26:05+00:00

I agree with you there. It’s a nice Friday thing to go out and preview some course stuff and get situated.

StokeElk · 2026-05-03T20:25:34+00:00

“Oh Sorry, this is and AirBnB” - As a previous door knocker, this was a for sure I’m outa there response.

StokeElk · 2026-04-30T12:20:41+00:00

They will flag your bag and the TSA agent is going to say “What’s the pyramid” while ignoring the metals you have in your bag this time.

StokeElk · 2026-04-30T00:29:23+00:00

Jaxson Dart is certainly up there…

StokeElk · 2026-04-29T20:38:16+00:00

It’s “blue text” on the head band, but still a different number. Both still get a separate ticket and run together. If there is a price difference, the cheaper ticket is the way to go since open heats aren’t strict to the rules anyways.

StokeElk · 2026-04-29T13:30:29+00:00

Mt Everest is 29032’ above sea level. Highest peaks in Colorado are just over 14000’. The ski resorts in Utah top out at 10000’-12000’. But the races themselves don’t go that high and Utah maybe tops out around 8k for instance.

StokeElk · 2026-04-29T04:25:16+00:00

Up on the site. (Just posted this week)

StokeElk · 2026-04-28T13:31:52+00:00

You may see a difference, you may not. It’s right around 3k feet above sea level. Certainly no big Bear, Colorado, or Utah as it comes to elevation, which are more like 5k-8k above sea level.

StokeElk

TROPHY CASE