Spartan Sundays: The Brooklyn Crew That Conquers Obstacles on the Road and in Life
The story of Spartan Sundays Run Club starts not with a road race, but with a different challenge. In 2011, founders Ismael and Sean began training together to motivate themselves to try an obstacle course race. They chose to share their passion with others, and from that initial idea, a strong community was formed. What started as an OCR group eventually expanded into running, but they never lost their main goal of helping people conquer their obstacles, whatever they may be.
The philosophy of Spartan Sundays is to use spiritual strength to face physical challenges, not just on Sundays but every day. Their motto—"Conquer your Obstacles - Above it, Around it, Through it. But keep finding a way"—reflects their belief that both OCR and running mirror life's struggles and achievements. They have built a casual, friendly club that welcomes all speeds and abilities, helping people transition from the couch to a Spartan Race, and even to a marathon.
The community of Spartan Sundays exemplifies people coming together to improve. On any Sunday, you’ll see 40 to 50 individuals working out as a group. Their ages are remarkably diverse, from 4 to 73 years old. The group includes aspiring athletes, top trainees, and others recovering from injuries. The one thing they share is their commitment to getting better, together.
### Sundays are for Spartans
The culture of Spartan Sundays revolves around their signature free two-hour group workout every Sunday in Brooklyn. This session is specifically designed to prepare members for various mud runs and road races, and it is well-known for including a "splash of burpees." This consistent and tough weekly event serves as the foundation of their community, a place where teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship are central.
Spartan Sundays warmly invites everyone. Regardless of your running experience or pace, you are welcome. They are a community passionate about running and helping others, providing quality support for all levels. Those seeking a friendly and motivating group are encouraged to connect through their official social media channels.
### The Brooklyn Running Scene
Spartan Sundays brings its unique OCR-hybrid energy to Brooklyn's highly diverse running scene. The borough hosts many other groups, including the empowering women's collective **Girls Run NYC**, the exclusive, high-performance **Black Roses NYC**, and the pioneering **BridgeRunners**. This vibrant mix of crews offers a community for every type of runner.
The borough of Brooklyn is a lively and diverse center of culture, art, and community, with a strong sense of local pride. The most well-known landmark in the area is the stunning **Prospect Park**, featuring its famous 3.35-mile loop. The top road race is the **RBC Brooklyn Half**, the largest half-marathon in the United States, and the region also hosts major **Spartan Race** events, which are a key focus for the community.
