Spartan Race Tri-State New Jersey Ultra Beast – Vernon, NJ
So, you’re going to do a Spartan Ultra Beast – guess what? The marathon-length obstacle course takes place at a ski resort. Be prepared for some hills: Vernon Peak features plenty with a summit elevation of 1,480. Expect to see a lot of peaks, valleys, slopes, climbs, and some hilly, technical terrain to go along with all the obstacles we’ve strategically placed all over the mountain. Weather itself will probably (ok, surely) be a challenge of its own, even without wind, heat, or rain, you’ll (possibly) start out in the dark chilly morning, and most likely be out on the course until the sun starts to creep downward (most probably, bordering on definitely).

You’re on the Appalachain Trail, so expect rustic lodging, a cool roadhouse for a beer, and plenty of nature. You can stay on-site at Mountain Creek, or close by at The Appalachian, or Black Creek Sanctuary.

Course Description

Spartan Ultra Beast is the big-daddy, only-at-limited-venues, super-long distance that Spartan offers, the Ultra Beast is roughly DOUBLE the distance of a Spartan Beast – most often it is two laps of the Beast course. Yes, it’s a marathon distance, on a mountain, with over 50 obstacles, often paired with difficult vertical and technical terrain, and with strict time cut-offs. Meaning, if you’re not at the checkpoint under the cutoff time, your race is done. This is not a normal challenge for normal people… but you’re a Spartan, right? Please note: Many who start the race WILL NOT FINISH.

Distance

26+ mile course with 50+ obstacles
Experienced athletes should complete the course in about 7 hours, while first-timers* will absolutely have to make very good time in order to meet time cutoffs. If you’re hiking the course, you probably will not make the time cutoffs, and thereby not finish the race. This means no medal for you. No bragging rights. (you still get the t-shirt and beer though!) *first-timers are not recommended, you should start with a Beast first.

Difficulty

The Ultra Beast is DOUBLE the Beast distance. Let that sink in. Combine the length of a Spartan Sprint and Spartan Super, and then double it and you’ve got the Spartan Beast. The “UB” (as the cool kids call it) is an extreme mental and physical challenge to persevere through the terrain (think hills, hills, and hills), obstacles, and other challenges that are thrown your way like carrying buckets of gravel up and down those hills, remembering a code for hours on end to pass a mental challenge, etc.

Spartan Race offers three distances, each with their own obstacle count and level of difficulty

• Spartan Sprint (3+ miles/20+ obstacles)
• Spartan Super (8+ miles/ 25+ obstacles)
• Spartan Beast (12+ miles/ 30+ obstacles)

Spartan Race also offers:

• Kids Race (½ – 1 mile)
• Special Spartans (for racers with intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities)
• Hurricane Heat (bootcamp-style challenge at select venues only)
• Ultra Beast (26+ miles, 50+ obstacles)

Spartan Super Pricing & Schedule 

Note: Pricing increases as the event gets closer, and is subject to change without notice. Start times are subject to change, please check your registered start time on your online registration confirmation email.

To secure the best rate, register early and be sure to use code ADVENTURE15 to SAVE 15% for Open Heats (elite, competitive, kid’s race and spectators are excluded)

Online Registration Closes April 28 at 11:59pm

Packet Pickup

There will be a MANDATORY pre-race packet pickup on Friday, April 29th from 3pm-7pm at the venue.

Gear Drop

Food, gear, and hydration may be placed in a drop bag the size of a small backpack or duffel, that will be delivered near the halfway point on the course. You may drop-off on Friday between 3pm – 7pm or on Saturday 5am-6am. This is highly recommended. A headlamp and hydration vest are highly recommended.

Ultra Beast Course Closes at 9:00pm

The Ultra Beast course will close on Saturday at 9:00pm. If you’re still out on course at 9:00pm, it’s all over. You’ll be removed from the course for your own safety. Additional course cutoffs will be announced prior to Race Day, it is your responsibility to know what and where they are, and get there before the cutoff time.

Arrive Early

Arrive an hour before your designated start time, registration opens at 6:00am.

Kids Race

All US Spartan Races in 2016 have a Spartan Kids ½ mile and 1 mile Race, excluding Hawaii Trifecta Weekend. More info on our Spartan Kids Page

Click “REGISTER NOW” above, and you will be taken to the Spartan Race page where you can purchase Spartan Kids registration.

Parking

$10+ Per Car, $20+ per van, $50+ per bus. Cash only. Carpooling recommended. Prices may vary by venue, please see event email for final details.

Spectators

Spectator passes are $20 if bought online, and $25 day of the race (cash only).  You’ll be able to see racers start, cross the finish line, and a few obstacles, depending on the venue.  You also get $5 worth of Spartan money for use at the merchandise tent and access to the festival area.

Click “REGISTER NOW” above, and you will be taken to the Spartan Race page where you can purchase spectator passes. 

What You Get:

• Spartan Race Finisher T-Shirt
• Ultra Beast Finisher’s Medal – These are one-of-a-kind, and have been glow int he dark huge ones and belt buckles in the past!
• Free Beer
• Free professional photos
• Post-race banana, CLIF bar, FitAID drink

Bag Check:

On-site secure bag storage available starting at $10

What to Bring:

• Your ID
• Your bib # from your online registration email
• A headlamp and hydration vest are HIGHLY recommended
• Towel & extra (dry) clothes to change into
• Completed Participant, Spectator, Volunteer, and Kids Waiver
  • You’ll need a completed for each person coming to the venue, spectators and kids included.

What to Wear:

Performance gear that’s sweat-wicking and doesn’t hold water, avoid cotton or any materials that will soak with water and get heavy or loose.

Your shoes should have some decent of tread to grip the terrain, especially in dirt and mud. Don’t fall into the trap of wearing old, worn-out shoes with no grip at all, you need traction in all outdoor conditions so you don’t slip and fall or get stuck. We recommend a good trail shoe with aggressive tread. Metal cleats are not allowed at all, and (soccer, basketball, football) cleats in general are not recommended, as the cleats are too hard and stiff to give you traction on obstacles.

During the Ultra Beast you will be starting in the dark, and probably finishing in the dark. A headlamp and hydration vest are HIGHLY recommended, as are layers of clothes, the mornings, nights, and water will be very cold.

Need more info on gear? Check out Mud + Adventure’s Gear Section

Showers & Changing Area

Showers and changing areas are available. Showers are an outdoor area with multiple hoses for you to rinse off, 99% of the time with cold water. Changing areas are male and female tents.