The Spartan $1 Million Trifecta

The Spartan $1 Million Trifecta

Few endurance sports offer anyone a shot to make $1 million for 3 races. But Spartan has raised the stakes by offering the Spartan $1 Million Trifecta. Any Spartan in 2018 who takes 1st place in all three Spartan World Championships in the Elite category will take home $1 million USD.

"It won't be easy," said Spartan CEO Joe De Sena. "But if you wanted easy you wouldn't be here in the first place."

Spartan puts on the most epic World Championships, spanning three continents and attracting athletes from almost 40 countries. Qualifying for these events alone is an achievement in itself. A single athlete winning all three will take it to another level. Who thinks they have what it takes?

1. What is the Spartan $1 million prize?

Spartan will pay $1 million to any athlete who is able to achieve the following:

  • 1st place at the 2018 World Championship in the qualifying Elite Beast heat (September, USA)
  • 1st place at the 2018 Trifecta World Championship, Elite category (November, Greece)
  • 1st place at the 2018 Ultra World Championship, Elite category (December, Iceland) with 100 miles or more

2. Who is eligible to win the $1 million purse?

Anyone who can successfully qualify for the Trifecta World Championship, Spartan World Championship, and the Ultra World Championship Elite heats.

3. What if a male and female athlete both become eligible for the prize?

In this case, the prize purse will be split between the two winning athletes. $500,000 for the male winner, and $500,000 for the female.

4. What does "100 miles or more" mean in relation to the Ultra World Championship?

The UWC in Iceland is a 24-hour event, multiple-lap format event. The winner is the athlete who runs the most complete laps within the time limit. To be eligible for the $1 million prize, the athlete must also complete 100 miles or more.

5. How do I qualify for the World Championship?

To earn a spot in the qualifier-only Elite heat on Saturday, you must either:

  • Earn a top 10 spot at a National / Regional Series race anywhere in the world
  • Earn a top 10 spot at a Regional Championship anywhere in the world

To qualify for Regional Championships, you must place Top 10 at any regular season race. Note that anyone can attend National / Regional Series races without prior qualification.

6. How do I qualify for the Trifecta World Championship?

You must have earned a Spartan Trifecta (completed a Sprint, Super, and Beast) in 2017 or 2018.

7. How do I qualify for the Ultra World Championship?

You must finish any regular-season Spartan Ultra in the world with a finish time of less than 10 hours.

8. What happens to the already allocated prize money at the Championships?

The US$1 million purse is a bonus prize, awarded in addition to all advertised prize money at the 3 Championship events.

9. Is anyone in the world eligible?

As long as the athlete meets the winning criteria at official Spartan events, there are no restrictions as to nationality or geographical location of the winner.

10. What happens if nobody wins the $1 million this year?

In the event no athlete is able to claim the prize in 2018, Spartan may choose to offer the purse again in 2020.