Running, Racing and RVing: A Family’s Spartan Race Road Trip
For those who don’t know, Spartan Races are those wild obstacle courses where you see people climbing walls, crawling through mud, and pushing themselves through the most challenging terrains. My family and I have been hooked on these races for years, and they’ve become a huge part of our lives.
Since 2015, we’ve raced in over 100 Spartan Race events across North America and Europe. And with that comes all the planning: booking flights, coordinating hotels, and figuring out all the details between race prep and travel. This year, we decided to shake things up. Instead of hotel hopping and navigating airports, we hit the road in an RV, blending our love for adventure with our race schedule. Two big races—Ottawa and Lake Placid—were on our radar. And what started out as a way to get from point A to point B turned into a new adventure that we didn’t know we were missing.
OUR SPARTAN RACE ADDICTION
People often ask us, “Why do you put yourselves through this?” Honestly, it’s a fair question. Spartan Races aren’t just a weekend hobby—they’re tough. You’re jumping into ice-cold water, hauling sandbags uphill, and climbing ropes until your arms give out. But for us, that’s the thrill. Every race pushes you past your comfort zone. And the best part? You’re never doing it alone. The Spartan community is one of the tightest-knit groups you’ll find. There’s a camaraderie that’s hard to explain unless you’ve been in the mud with someone, both literally and figuratively.
Over time, it’s become a family affair. Julie, my wife, is an ultra-marathoner, and my daughters, Sofia and Ariel, got hooked early. They started with Spartan Kids races and haven’t looked back. It’s more than just physical challenges; it’s about overcoming obstacles—on and off the course—together as a family. But this year, we decided to make the whole experience even bigger by turning race weekends into a full-on RV adventure.
FROM GATINEAU TO NEW YORK: OUR FAMILY’S FIRST RV TRIP
This RV trip changed how we see the country and travel.
We travelled from Gatineau, Quebec to Ottawa, Ontario for our first Spartan Race, which ran from August 2nd to 5th. Parking our RV right at the race venue was a game changer. Instead of being stuck in a hotel far from the action, we woke up each day immersed in the vibrant energy of the Spartan community.
After a quick stop back home, we made our way to Lake Placid, New York. The border crossing with an RV was an experience in itself. We were a bit nervous about navigating the RV across the border but it turned out to be smoother than we expected. It was pretty straightforward—we had to answer a few questions and show some extra paperwork, but overall, it was no more complicated than crossing in a car.
Once we cleared the border, we stayed at the Whiteface Mountain Campground from August 9th to 10th for the race in Lake Placid. Traveling in the RV gave us a chance to experience more of the country, both in Canada and the U.S. We were able to take our time and appreciate the scenery that we usually miss when flying or driving straight through.
The RV gave us the freedom to travel at our own pace, explore new spots, and enjoy the views along the way. It turned our journey between races into a set of mini-adventures, making the whole trip as enjoyable as the races themselves.
OUR TOP RV TIPS
This was our first RV trip and it didn’t come without some key learnings. Here were our most important takeaways!
1. Pack Strategically and Manage Your Space
Packing strategically and managing space efficiently was key, especially when travelling with a family of four. We discovered early on that keeping the space clean and organized throughout the trip was incredibly helpful for a smooth family road trip.
At the same time, with the RV we didn’t have to worry about cramming everything we needed into a suitcase. We could pack all our race gear, recovery equipment, food, and even some extras to make the trip more enjoyable, without stressing about how much luggage we could bring
2. Know Your Tanks
Step 1: Get to know your RV’s water and sewer systems before hitting the road. It might seem overwhelming at first, especially when you realize there are three separate tanks to manage. But once you familiarize yourself with them, it’s not as complicated as it sounds.
3. Manage Your Water Wisely
During our trip, we weren’t always hooked up to a water source, so conserving water was important at times. We brought along water jugs for drinking and used disposable plates to minimize dishwashing. And for showers, we adopted the “quick and efficient” approach—no time for luxuries!
4. Practice Backing Up
Let’s just say backing up the RV was not my strong suit! But that didn’t stop us. Before you set off, spend some time practicing backing up your RV. It can be tricky, particularly with a trailer, so it’s worth getting comfortable with the maneuver. If you’re struggling, don’t be shy about asking for assistance. The last thing you want is to end up in a tight spot—literally—when it’s dark!
RACING WITH AN RV: CROSSING THE FINISH LINE
Combining RV travel with our Spartan Races seemed like a no-brainer. Why struggle with flights, hotel bookings, and cramming gear into tight spaces when we could load everything into an RV and hit the road?
Having our own space at race weekends was so convenient but one of the best parts was being able to prepare our own meals. Instead of grabbing greasy fast food because there are no better options, we had everything we needed right there. We stocked the RV fridge with fresh ingredients, and we could cook up healthy meals on the go—something that’s super important when you’re prepping for a race or recovering afterwards. One of our go-to recipes is our homemade smoothies (which you can find our full recipe here). They’re quick to make and perfect for keeping our energy up throughout the race weekend.
We also noticed a big difference on our pocket book. In a typical season, we might hit as many as twenty five Spartan Races across North America. Flights, hotels, and transportation between venues add up quickly. But with the RV, we were able to eliminate all of that. We didn’t have to worry about booking airfare, finding hotels, or even getting from our accommodations to the race site. We saved a lot of money and got to participate in multiple events without feeling the strain on our bank account.
Living on the road in an RV gave us a whole new perspective on race weekends. We weren’t just racing—we were exploring, spending time together as a family, and creating lasting memories in between the races. It wasn’t just about crossing the finish line. It was about those in-between moments: watching the sunset at a campground after a tough race, cooking meals together in the RV, or simply enjoying the quiet of the road after a day full of obstacles. The RV didn’t just fit into our Spartan lifestyle—it added to it, making every race weekend feel like a full-on adventure.