audio, stills, text and or video: Go to zReportage.com to see more - The masochistic endurance sport of obstacle racing is exploding in popularity. A Spartan race is a series of obstacle races of varying distance and difficulty ranging from 3 miles to marathon distances. Obstacle races mix mud and trail runs with military bootcamp style obstructions and sometimes even brain teaser puzzles, all intended to breakdown contestants, mentally and physically. The U.S. is home to the top 3 global leaders in obstacle course racing: Spartan Race, Tough Mudder, and Warrior Dash. In the past three years, Spartan and Tough Mudder events have transformed obstacle racing into one of the country's fastest-growing athletic activities. In 2010, it is estimated fifty thousand people took part in obstacle races - in 2015 Obstacle racing attracted roughly 5 million participants in more than 40 countries worldwide.
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September 17, 2016 - Pala, California, U.S. - A Spartan competes in the rope climb during the Spartan Beast race at Pala Raceway.
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45 pm group started strong as they run up the first hill on the 12 mile course during the Spartan Beast race at Pala Raceway.
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September 17, 2016 - Pala, California, U.S. - MARIBEL SEGURA of Anaheim carries a concrete ball on the Herc Hoist one of the many obstacles on the course during the Spartan Beast race at Pala Raceway.
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September 17, 2016 - Pala, California, U.S. - MARCELLO RODRIGUEZ, a wounded veteran, makes his way along the Tyrolean traverse at mile seven of the 12 mile course on one of the many obstacles on the Spartan Beast race at Pala Raceway.
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September 17, 2016 - Pala, California, U.S. - Spartans fight their way up the barbed wire mud hill climb during the Spartan Beast race at Pala Raceway.
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September 17, 2016 - Pala, California, U.S. - A Spartan comes up for air as she finishes the rolling mud dunk during the Spartan Beast race at Pala Raceway.
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September 17, 2016 - Pala, California, U.S. - A Spartan competitor reaches to ring the bell at the end of his Tyrolean traverse at mile seven of the 12 mile course one of the many obstacles on the Spartan Beast race at Pala Raceway.
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September 17, 2016 - Pala, California, U.S. - A Spartan competitor takes a break before taking on the Tyrolean traverse at mile seven of the 12 mile course one of the many obstacles on the Spartan Beast race at Pala Raceway.
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September 17, 2016 - Pala, California, U.S. - ALEX CANN, of San Diego, throws the spear one of the many obstacles at the end of the Spartan Beast race at Pala Raceway.
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September 17, 2016 - Pala, California, U.S. - Spartans make their way over yet another obstacle on the hillside during the Spartan Beast race at Pala Raceway.
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September 17, 2016 - Pala, California, U.S. - A spartan cools off before taking on the barbed wire mud hill climb during the Spartan Beast race at Pala Raceway.
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September 17, 2016 - Pala, California, U.S. - Spartans, from left, SARAH ROCZICKA, of Costa Mesa, and JENNIFER KENNEDY, of Mountain View, leap over the fire at the finish of the Spartan Beast race at Pala Raceway.
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