San Francisco, California. (December 3, 2022): Discipline, stamina, and the will to finish are but a few of the values emphasized in the annual “Spartans” Race, a tough test of endurance even for U.S. Marines.

In the above photo by Sergeant Alina Thackray, Marine Captain Shae Crombie, the executive officer for Recruiting Station San Francisco, took part in the race to build understanding and positive relationships with the local community. This Marine soon realized the rigors and strenuousness of the Spartan Race whose main events include a series of grueling obstacle courses up to 13 miles long containing up to 30 various obstacles.

These races are meant to be physically and mentally challenging and include a brutal mix of cardio and strength training that would test the mettle of most elite athletes.  With the rise in popularity of CrossFit training, a combination of weight training and cardio exercises, the attractiveness of obstacle courses has exploded in recent years. Today’s courses include man-made walls, barbed wire, concrete tunnels, and other hurdles that requires participants to be in the best shape of their lives.

To date, more than five million people have participated in these races since 2018 and they continue to be a popular destination for America’s most disciplined warriors.