Spartan Race vs Turf Games: distance, stations, price & difficulty compared (2026-27)
Spartan Race has 67 upcoming events in 6 countries (entry $26–$1,200, A$29–A$269 +3 currencies); Turf Games has 5 upcoming events in 3 countries (entry A$690, £85–£620 +1 currency). Data from 72 event listings, updated daily.
Verdict
Spartan Race: outdoor OCR, 5K–50K, 20–60 obstacles. Turf Games: team festival, ~4 × 15 min workouts. Entry: Spartan Race $26–$1,200, A$29–A$269 +3 currencies; Turf Games A$690, £85–£620 +1 currency. Both are rated Intermediate. Spartan Race has more upcoming events (67 in 6 countries vs 5 in 3 countries).
Obstacle course races from 5 km Sprint to 50 km Ultra
Team functional fitness competitions and festivals, founded in London
Key differences
- FormatSpartan Race: Outdoor obstacle course race in tiered distancesTurf Games: Team fitness festival: about 4 workouts of ~15 min each
- Stations / obstaclesSpartan Race: Sprint 20 · Super 25 · Beast 30 · Ultra 60 obstaclesTurf Games: Usually 4 team workouts
- DivisionsSpartan Race: Kids, Sprint, Super, BeastTurf Games: Teams only (mostly mixed teams of 6); Everyday, Intermediate, Elite
- DifficultySpartan Race: IntermediateTurf Games: Intermediate
- Entry price (upcoming events)Spartan Race: $26–$1,200, A$29–A$269 +3 currenciesTurf Games: A$690, £85–£620 +1 currency
- Upcoming eventsSpartan Race: 67 events in 6 countriesTurf Games: 5 events in 3 countries
Spartan Race vs Turf Games side by side
Format facts from the organisers: spartan.com, spartan.com, spartan.com, spartan.com, turfgames.com, turfgames.com. Event counts and prices from race.fitness listings.
Next Spartan Race races
- Spartan Race Moganshan Ultra Trifecta Weekend 2026 · 7 Nov 2026
- 2026 Fenway Spartan Stadion Event Weekend · 7 Nov 2026
- 2026 SLO CAL Spartan Trifecta Weekend · 7 Nov 2026
Next Turf Games races
- Turf Games Dubai Fitness Festival 2026 · 20 Nov 2026
- Turf Games Dubai Engine 2026 · 20 Nov 2026
- Turf Games London Winter Engine 2027 · 6 Feb 2027
What is Spartan Race?
Spartan Race is an obstacle course racing series established in Vermont, USA, in 2010, with events in more than 40 countries. Courses combine off-road trail running with obstacles such as walls, barbed-wire crawls, monkey bars and a spear throw, and they often include mud and water.
The main distances are the Sprint (5 km, 20 obstacles), the Super (10 km, 25 obstacles), the Beast (21 km, 30 obstacles) and the Ultra (50 km, 60 obstacles). Completing a Sprint, Super and Beast in one calendar year earns the Spartan Trifecta, and many venues host Trifecta Weekends with all three races. Spartan also runs Stadion races in sports stadiums, trail races, kids' races, competitive Elite and Age Group heats, and endurance events. The Sprint is pitched at first-timers, while the Beast and Ultra suit experienced racers.
What is Turf Games?
Turf Games is a team-based functional fitness competition that tests strength, speed, endurance and teamwork. It started in 2018 as a way to bring London's fitness community together. It was founded by Andrew Manteit and now holds events in cities including London, Dubai, Singapore and Brisbane.
There are several competition formats. Fitness Festivals are run for teams of six athletes, with music, food and entertainment around the competition floor. The City Tour is for teams of four, ranked on one global leaderboard, and Engine is Turf Games' hybrid fitness race. Teams pick a division that matches their level: Everyday is the entry point, with lighter weights and no high-skill movements, while Intermediate and Elite bring heavier loads and more skilled elements. This makes Turf Games suitable for gym groups and friends competing together as well as experienced competitors.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Spartan Race and Turf Games?
Spartan Race: Outdoor obstacle course race in tiered distances (running: Sprint 5K · Super 10K · Beast 21K · Ultra 50K). Turf Games: Team fitness festival: about 4 workouts of ~15 min each.
Is Spartan Race harder than Turf Games?
Both are rated Intermediate, so neither is clearly harder on paper. The tests differ, though: Spartan Race is outdoor OCR, 5K–50K, 20–60 obstacles; Turf Games is team festival, ~4 × 15 min workouts. How hard either feels depends on the division you enter: Spartan Race offers Kids, Sprint, Super, Beast; Turf Games offers Teams only (mostly mixed teams of 6); Everyday, Intermediate, Elite.
How many Spartan Race and Turf Games races are coming up?
Race.Fitness lists 67 upcoming Spartan Race events in 6 countries (United States, Australia, Japan, China, United Arab Emirates) and 5 upcoming Turf Games events in 3 countries (United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Australia).
Is Spartan Race or Turf Games cheaper to enter?
Entry prices for upcoming events: Spartan Race $26–$1,200, A$29–A$269 +3 currencies; Turf Games A$690, £85–£620 +1 currency. Prices vary by division, ticket wave and country.
When is the next Spartan Race or Turf Games race?
The next Spartan Race event is Spartan Race Moganshan Ultra Trifecta Weekend 2026 on 7 Nov 2026. The next Turf Games event is Turf Games Dubai Fitness Festival 2026 on 20 Nov 2026.
Which is better for beginners, Spartan Race or Turf Games?
Both Spartan Race and Turf Games need a base of running and strength fitness. Check each event’s divisions: most offer an open or team option that is easier than the pro or elite level.