Fitness fanatics push through physical and mental pain in the Spartan Race 21km Beast and 42km Ultra Beast courses

THOUSANDS flocked to Maldon on Saturday for Spartan Race 21km Beast and 42km Ultra Beast courses.

Spartan Race took its final event of the 2013 calendar to Razorback for the 21km Beast and 42km Ultra Beast courses.

THOUSANDS of fitness fanatics flocked to Maldon on Saturday to put themselves to the test in the Spartan Race 21km Beast and 42km Ultra Beast courses.

Under the watchful eye of personal trainer Commando Steve, 1611 Beast contestants pushed their physical and mental limits through obstacles such as wire crawls, rope climbs and fire jumps. Only 32 people failed to finish the 21km course.

The 42km Ultra Beast was two laps of the Beast course and 96 brave contestants took part, with only one person failing to finish.

Challenge racer Peter Wark, of Raby, finished in 54th place with a time of 8hrs 16.11mins.

Wark said he found the race tough.

"I'm a pretty keen challenge racer and not a stranger to these longer events; I race in the North Face 100km ultra marathon through the Blue Mountains so this is relatively tame," he said.

"But this was pretty tough. The 42km was definitely a challenge and some of the obstacles really tested you - like the 55kg dead ball carries, which were difficult after the 35km mark."

Justin Miller, of Currans Hill, finished in 41st place with a time of 7hrs 39. 56mins.

"Justin is a good mate and he beat me by 37 minutes, so he'll never let me live that down." with a laugh

Wark said it was great to have high-profile races such as Spartan come to Australia.

"Spartan was voted Best Obstacle Race by Obstacle Racing Magazine and it's great to see them come to Australia because it helps grow the sport," he said. he said.