Fitness fanatics are already gearing up for the Spartan Race: Downtown Challenge on September 14th. This world-famous obstacle race is sponsored by Downtown Gallery and will take place on a closed section of Shenton Way. Don’t expect your run-of-the-mill race though because this one features insane obstacles at every turn. The race is open to all, so you can put your adrenaline, stamina, and strength to the test on your own or with a partner, friend, or even the whole family. Read on to get the inside scoop on the race including tips on the obstacles, where to train beforehand, and where to fuel up before and after the race.
About Spartan Race
Spartan Race pushes boundaries and crosses borders with with over 240 obstacle races taking place in 25 countries every year. Don’t expect an ordinary race though. Spartan is famous for its obstacles that push you to your limits by forcing you to run, crawl, push, pull, and crawl over walls, through barbed wire, up ropes, and across mud and water.
The latest Singapore edition is happening on September 14th along a closed section of Shenton Way in front of Downtown Gallery. The race includes outdoor obstacles along the road, as well as indoor obstacles at four participating fitness venues including Platinum Fitness, Boulder Movement, and Veda Yoga. The race is open to everyone , and you can even bring the kiddos, as they have obstacles for children between 4 and 13 years old.
Racers will be released on a first-come-first-served basis with four to five people every three minutes.
Buy 1 Ticket and Get 1 Free through 13 Sept 2019. Purchase your tickets here.
Where: Shenton Way outside Downtown Gallery (the section between McCallum Street and Maxwell Road)
When: September 14th, 9am – 4pm
THE RACE
The race starts at the Main Drop-off point of Downtown Gallery. Then you have two options, either run on the Downtown Gallery pavement or run down Shenton Way. Turn left onto McCallum Street to Obstacle 2: Paracrawl. Move onto Obstacle 3: Ball Slams. Obstacle 4: Heavy Rope Squats. Go DOWN stairwell S3 to Basement1. Head to Station A (B1): Platinum Fitness for deadlifts (10 reps, 15kg for men and 10kg for women) followed by for squats (10 reps, 15kg for men and 7.5kg for women), then to Station B (Boulder Movement) where you will have to climb 2 routes with options for difficulty. Follow course to Station C (L3): VEDA YOGA to hold 3 poses for 30 seconds. U-turn and run down the aisle and go down through Stairwell R4 to Level 1. Move on to Obstacle 5: Twister and then Obstacle 6: Slip Wall. Follow the alley and turn left into Maxwell Road. From Maxwell Road, turn left into Shenton Way to Then turn left to Obstacle 7for the Olympus Challenge, followed by Obstacle 8 and 9, Monkey Bars + Beaters and to end with the Rope Climb.
Run towards main entrance/drop-off area to cross the finish line.
Adult Obstacle 1: 5 Foot Wall
Adult Obstacle 2: Paracrawl
Adult Obstacle 3: Slam Balls – 10 sets
Adult Obstacle 4: Chain Squats – 10 sets
Adult Station A: Platinum Fitness for deadlifts
Adult Station B: Boulder Movement
Adult Station C: Veda Yoga
Adult Obstacle 5: Twister
Adult Obstacle 6: Inverted Wall
Adult Obstacle 7: Olympus
Adult Obstacle 8: Monkey Bars + Beater
Adult Obstacle 9: Rope Climb
End: Tyre Jump
Kids Obstacle 1: A Wall
Kids Obstacle 2: Tunnels
Kids Obstacle 3: Over-Under-Through Walls
Kids Obstacle 4: Slip Wall
Kids Obstacle 5: Breeze Slide
Platinum Fitness
Downtown Gallery, #B1-04/05, p. +65 8445 5439.
Serious fitness fanatics flock to Platinum Fitness for round-the-clock workouts, as this state-of-the-art gym is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is Station A of the Spartan Race and the first fitness venue you hit inside Downtown Gallery. Once here, you’ll have to complete a strength-based challenge: Deadlifts (10 reps, 15kg for men and 10kg for women) followed by Squats (10 reps, 15kg for men and 7.5kg for women)
Boulder Movement
Downtown Gallery #B1-03, p. +65 6817 8340.
Station B of the Spartan Race is Boulder Movement, a world-class rock climbing centre. If you’ve been training on the rock climbing walls here prior to the race, then you should have no problem completing the grip strength challenge where you will have to climb 2 routes with options for difficulty.
Veda Yoga
Downtown Gallery #03-21/22, p. +65 9678 0622.
To get to Station C, sprint up the stairs to Veda Yoga on Level 3. Here you’ll have to hold Warrior I, Warrior II and Reverse Warrior for 30 seconds each. This is the last venue in Downtown Gallery before you head back outside for more obstacles.
The Autobus
Downtown Gallery #01-01, p. +65 6909 3406.
Cyclists will love this funky bicycle-themed cafe where you can park your bike out front for free and head inside to snack on healthy eats. Lunch options include DIY bowls packed with wholesome goodness like quinoa, pan-seared salmon, crispy chickpeas, and roasted sesame dressing. In the evenings you can grab tasty bites like cajun chicken sliders and slow-cooked pork belly along with craft beers and natural wines. Hit up the retail shop to pick up bicycle equipment and gear.
Open Mon – Fri 7am – 10pm, Sat – Sun 7am – 3pm
The Providore
Downtown Gallery #B1-07, p. +65 6431 7600.
The Providore is your one-stop shop for wholesome all-day fare and artisan food products to fill up your pantry. Pop by in the morning to fuel up on organic muesli and a vitamin-packed smoothie before the race starts. Then swing by after you’ve vanquished your competitors for a celebratory meal that could include the lobster mac ‘n’ cheese, smoked duck sandwich, or roasted chicken leg with baharat spices. If you really want to treat yourself, try the warm flourless chocolate cake with vanilla gelato.
Open Mon – Fri 7:30am – 10:30pm, Sat, Sun & PH 9am – 6pm
Wafuken
Downtown Gallery #B1-07, p. +65 9459 6074.
Eating right is essential to any training plan, and Wafuken ensures you get the maximum nutrients and flavours with their sous vide protein bowls. You can opt for bases like cold buckwheat noodles or Furikake brown rice topped with tender meats, seafood, or a plant-based Impossible patty cooked to perfection at low temperatures in glass or plastic to keep all the vitamins in. Add toppings like daikon pickles or a ramen egg to amp up the textures and flavours.
Open Mon – Fri 11am – 8pm, Sat 11am – 3pm
The Garden Club
Downtown Gallery #05-01
What better way to celebrate kicking butt in the race than with a few drinks and bites afterwards at a chic rooftop bar? The Garden Club offers open-air ambiance in the heart of the CBD along with innovative dishes that range from utlra-healthy to downright indulgent. Vegetarians will love the fried curry okra and grilled king oyster mushrooms, while meat eaters can tuck into the beef cheek confit fennel with roasted potatoes.
