Extreme Learning
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n 2010, roughly 500 competitors ran, crawled, jumped, and swam their way through a variety of obstacles in Burlington, Vermont, at the first Spartan Race. In 2012 more than 500,000 people competed in 36 obstacle races worldwide. In 2013 the company announced a partnership with NBC Sports, signed Reebok as its official sponsor, and is estimated to be worth more than $50 million. Andy Weinberg, one of eight Spartan Race founders, moved to Vermont in 2006. He joined Castleton in 2011 as an Assistant Professor of Physical Education. Passionate about competing in endurance events, Weinberg and his friends started organizing their own events with varying distances, challenges, and extremes. From 100-mile snowshoe races, to a three-mile race featuring 15-obstacle events, to the signature Spartan Death Race, which spans more than 48 hours. In addition to hiring seven Castleton alumni as full-time employees, the race also provides many Castleton students with valuable work experience.
26 Spring 2014
Weinberg estimates that more than 100 Castleton students have participated in service-learning and internship hours with Spartan Race. The days are long, but students have an opportunity to be involved with every facet of the company, from event management, social media marketing, and building crews, to risk management, merchandising, and much more. Weinberg is also influencing the next generation of physical educators by introducing students to Spartan Race. Extreme obstacle course racing appeals to a broader group of people and measures the competitors against themselves rather than each other. With childhood obesity rates continuing
Professor Andy Weinberg
to climb, this gives physical educators another tool to help children become more active. According to Weinberg, more and more of his graduates are implementing Spartan Race into their curricula. Spartan Race took notice. It now offers a children’s series, which encourages entire families to compete.
Jeremy Benoit, ’13 Spartan Race Merchandising Department Intern, January – August 2012. Responsibilities: Managed on-site merchandise tents Perks: Traveled to nine races in nine states Ran in five races in five states