Annual Spartan Race takes place in Carbon County

PALMERTON, CARBON COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Summer is a popular time for outdoor races.

One race that draws big crowds is the kids’ Spartan Race in Carbon County. It includes obstacle courses that involve different distances.

28/22 News Reporter Paola Giangiacomo has more in this week’s Parenting Playbook.

Hundreds of kids from near and far converged on Blue Mountain Ski Resort in Palmerton for the 2024 Spartan Race. Children aged 4 to 14 race through various obstacle courses from running steep hills, to scaling walls, to carrying sandbags. It is all in an effort to test their strength, agility, and cardiovascular endurance.

Brandon Cunfer brought his two kids.

“Lots of outdoor activity, less I-Pads, it’s a challenge,” said Cunfer.

“Its fun, its cool,” commented Greyson Cunfer.

This is the first Spartan Race for Terra McCauliffe of Tunkhannock and her two sons, 11-year-old Ronan and 8-year-old Gabriel.

“We are looking for something athletic for us to do, to push ourselves, but also have fun,” stated Terra McCauliffe of Tunkhannock.

Spartan offers races of various distances with progressively harder courses for older age groups. While the focus is on fun, kids are sure to develop grit and mental toughness while trying to persevere through each physical challenge.

Volunteers are placed along the route to monitor the kids’ performance.

Many parents follow their youngsters along the sidelines encouraging their young Spartans to keep striving.

While this experience is not for the faint of heart, parents say the lessons learned last well beyond the finish line. Marysia Adams, from Hershey, is an experienced Spartan and is here to cheer on her 13-year-old son, Connor.

it pushes them. A lot of kids sit at home, they don’t do anything their parents don’t encourage them. I think this is something that teaches them to strive for something,” explained Adams.

When engaging in physical activities outdoors in the heat, the experts say it’s important to hydrate and not just with water.

“They should get electrolyte containing fluids. If they drink too much they could get water intoxication, that’s a problem too,” noted M.D. Alberto Marante of PAK Pediatrics.

“They can’t just drink the morning of. You got to make sure they drink the night before. You got to make sure they have a good breakfast. They shouldn’t eat two hours before they race. It sits in their stomach and causes them to get sick,” said Marante.

10-13-year-olds racing competitively earn medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, plus merchandise vouchers. For some Spartans, it’s not the finish line that matters, but having the courage to start.

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