The Race Space Podcast: Conversation with Garfield Griffiths, Spartan Race (Sr. Director of Special Events) Spartan World Championship takes place in Al Wathbah, Abu Dhabi

Guest: Garfield Griffiths, Spartan Race
Date 26th October
Time: 17:00 GST
Google Meet: Audio version
Instagram: Garfield_griffiths_stuff https://tinyurl.com/4k9j9dzu
Email: Garfieldg@Spartan.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garfield-griffiths-73475a6/
Spartan Website: https://www.spartan.com/
Spartan World Championship Link: https://tinyurl.com/vs3due9z OR https://tinyurl.com/mry8tx6d
Discount Code: WCAMB-6191A
Summary of the conversation
• Garfield Griffiths shared his experience of getting into the Obstacle Course Race over a decade ago since 2011
• Experience in events before getting into Obstacle Course Race
• He shared his initial response and experience when he found out the World championship is taking place in Abu Dhabi in 2019
• Travel experience before preparing for the event before the Covid 19 era & after the Covid19 era
• His family experience doing Obstacle Course Race & the next generation of athletes getting into OCR
• Garfield shared his point of view, planning and approach to managing World Championship events all over the world.
• Shared challenges in doing OCR events outside of the USA
• Time difference with USA and how it impacts planning & getting things done.
• Cultural similarities and differences when arranging OCR events all around the world
• Cultural similarities, differences & challenges when communicating with people & getting things done.
• Garfield shared some of the challenges when doing the event in Liwa, Abu Dhabi last year in 2021
• Travelling distance from the hotel to onsite in Liwa
• Shared an interesting experience while camping in Liwa during the race days
• Feedback from international athletes about the event
• Garfield shared some wise advice for athletes visiting Abu Dhabi from the first time for the world championship
• Importance of Gaiters while running in the Sand.
• Sand Dunes and Hardpack for Running.
• Shared some inside scoop on unique Obstacles at the event
• He shared some interesting tips on how to prepare for the course.
• Garfield also shared an idealistic timeframe for Pro athletes’ completion time
• He shared information on Media and the possibility of live footage at the event.
• Garfield shared information & experience of some other brutal racecourse events such as Utah, Romania & other places.
• Garfield shared challenges from Supply chain management & how they impacted Liwa in 2021 & having backup plans is critical for such massive events
• Some heavy obstacles in the sand especially for Trifecta weekend.
• Discussion on No Burpees – A massive change in Spartan Race
• Garfield shared his dream location to have Spartan Race. Most likely Jamaica could be in the works for Spartan Race. Cuba is also another location where Spartan Race may be having an event
• Next event with family in the Bahamas
• Garfield shared his experience of doing OCR in Abu Dhabi and working in the sand is something unique
• He discussed the 3km distance at the World Championship & will give direction for future ambitions about Olympics
• Garfield shares his choice in music, his passion as DJ, Old-school music, Frank Sinatra, EDM & Rave music
• Garfield shared his passion for Cigars, how he got into cigars, his interesting understanding of the intricate details of cigars, & his hobby for cigars.