The Spartan World Championship 2021 - in pictures

Competitors take to the desert for the ultimate endurance test

Competitors take part in the Spartan World Championship 2021 in the Liwa desert. All photos: WAM

Abu Dhabi's first Spartan World Championship coincided with the 50th anniversary of UAE National Day, starting on December 3 and running through December 5.

It includes s three events – the Spartan Kids World Championship, the Elite Spartan World Championship and the Spartan Team World Championship.

The tournament is being held outside the US for the first time.

The Elite Spartan World Championship is regarded as the crown jewel of the weekend, with competitors taking part in a half-marathon mix of high-speed, leg-burning running and steep climbs.

The event was initially scheduled to take place last year but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The emirate is no stranger to global tournaments and is already home to top-tier competitions such as the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The National