- November 7, 2024
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Spartan Race features extreme obstacles, such as a fire line. The event originally was proposed for Princess Place Preserve, with less extreme obstacles.
Photos courtesy of Spartan Race Inc.
The Spartan Race is happening. After some controversy last year over where it would be held, the extreme obstacle course and race will be held Dec. 10-11 at the Florida Cracker Ranch. The county’s tourism chief, Matt Dunn, said the anticipated registration is 7,800 runners, and they will bring family and friends, for a projected total of 10,000 visitors.
Dunn predicts hotels will be booked solid, not only in Flagler County but also spilling over into St. Johns and Volusia counties. Normally, Volusia County is hosting the events, with Flagler hotels benefiting from the overflow, and Spartan Race “will allow us to return the favor,” Dunn wrote in an email interview.
He said the average amount of money spent by an adult visitor is $155.90 per day, and $77.95 per child. In August 2015, when the Tourist Development Council first proposed hosting the race, there were 4,000 projected overnight visitors, for a total impact of more than $3.9 million.
“With the anticipated visitor number at over 10,000, the economic impact will climb far higher,” Dunn wrote.
The county offered $25,000 as an incentive to Spartan Race to host the event here. The company will likely spend about $300,000 in event services, such as assistance from the Sheriff’s Office.
The race will be among the largest tourism events in the county, but there is more to tourism than just overnight stays.
“The Reebok Spartan Race brand is global in scope,” Dunn wrote. “Hosting this event not only creates a positive economic impact through visitor spending, but also creates exposure for our destination.”
Visit Spartan.com.
