Spartan Race: Event brings more than $1 million to the Flathead

The first Montana Spartan Race, held in Bigfork on May 11, created $1,148,000 in economic activity in the Flathead Valley, according to data recently compiled by the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research at The University of Montana.

The approximately 4,300 racers came from 34 states, three Canadian provinces and the United Kingdom, with 2,300 spectators. The race was organized by the Kalispell Convention and Visitor Bureau.

“For our first Spartan race, we were blown away by the interest from around the country and internationally,” said Diane Medler, director of the visitor bureau. “The dollars the race brought in were a huge boost to our local businesses before the start of the busy summer season.”

Next year’s Montana Spartan Sprint, to be held May 10, 2014, has now opened for registration.

Participants will receive a $20 discount off the registration fee through Sept. 30 by using the discount code “Kalispell20” when registering at www.spartanrace.com.

The next Spartan Sprint race will be similar, but not identical, to the last one, with 5 miles of manmade and natural obstacles plus half-mile and 1-mile children’s races.