Spartan racers hit the mud at 8 a.m.

Thousands of competitors and spectators are expected Saturday south of Bigfork for Montana’s first-ever Spartan Race.

Competition in the obstacle-course race begins at 8 a.m. south of Flathead Lake Lodge off Montana 35.

Waves of participants 200 at a time will be released every 15 minutes to tackle the course that features challenges such as a barbed-wire-topped mud pit, a javelin throw, rope and monkey-bar climbs and tire flipping.

Parking for the event is at the corner of Montana 35 and Montana 82, with 16 shuttle buses transporting participants and spectators to the race site.

Buses begin running at 6 a.m.; parking costs $10 cash plus spectator passes cost $25 at the site today.

The Spartan Race is sponsored by the Kalispell Convention and Visitor Bureau.

For more information, go to www.spartanrace.com and click on the Montana link.