Canadian pair prove to be the toughest at elite Spartan Race

Canada’s Lindsay Webster and Faye Stenning went 1-2 in the elite section of the Monterey Super Spartan Race in California on June 4. Webster, a 26-year-old from Caledon, Ont., won the event in 1:28:12 while Stenning, also 26 and from Calgary, was three minutes back in 1:31:19. The third-place finisher was more than two minutes behind Stenning.

The Monterey Super is the second race in the Spartan NBC U.S. Championship Series.

“There was definitely some cramping, and a few horrible screams of pain that happened, normally I’m fairly quiet, but this time I just couldn’t help it,” says Webster, who was recently featured in Canadian Running magazine. “But to me, this just means that it was an awesome race. Those girls made me work for every second of it.”

Webster’s partner, Ryan Atkins, won the men’s elite in California.

It was a brutal battle, between myself, @huntthesheriff @cody.moat and @robert_killian but I was able to come out on top. @spartanrace Monterey was great. Maybe if I win a few more, ill get a pre-race call up?? 😉 Lots of people didn’t like the way I crossed the finish line, but no disrespect was meant. Just happy. Thanks to @battlefrogseries @beetelite @icebugofficial for the #relentless support! @obstacle_course_training

A photo posted by Ryan Atkins (@ryanatkinsdiet) on Jun 5, 2016 at 5:22pm PDT

Stenning, a former standout cross-country and track and field athlete with the University of Calgary, turned pro in April and is one of the world’s top obstacle course racers along with Webster. In the world of the Spartan Race, Super is a category, in addition to Sprint and Beast, which involves running more than eight miles and conquering more than 25 obstacles.

Webster too was a cross-country runner before getting into obstacle course racing. She’s still big into trail running.

RELATED: Obstacle Course World Championships coming to Ontario’s Blue Mountain resort.

Sundays have always been a day full of mixed emotions for me. It’s tough coming off the hype of weekend competition and knowing that it’s back to reality. But for the next 4 months Sunday don’t exist in my world. My work week has become a training week, my pay cheque has become prize/sponsorship money, and the gym my office. It’s what needs to be done for me to continue to keep up with these ladies and I couldn’t be more excited. Thanks to @elitesportstherapy for sponsoring me from the get go and to @spartanproteam for making my dreams a reality. #anythingispossible #gobigorgohome #itsnowornever #thisiswhatihavebeenwaitingfor #dontstopdreaming #thebestisyettocome

A photo posted by Faye Stenning (@fayestenning_ocr) on Jun 5, 2016 at 7:39pm PDT

Those who show up to this event on race day can expect to be running on varied terrain.

“With punishing hills, fields and prairies as well as many picturesque wooded areas, it’s easy to understand why this venue is a favorite amongst Spartans,” reads the event’s website.

RELATED: Obstacle course racing: Running’s dirty little secret.

The June 4 race is officially known as the Golden State Classic, part of the U.S. series which offers more than US$100,000 in cash and prizes. Webster and Stenning also finished first and second, respectively, at the first race of the U.S. series, which took place at Big Sky resort in Montana.

RELATED: Why are Canadian runners so good at Tough Mudder events?

Stenning is part of the Spartan professional team and says that her role model is former training partner and Olympic hopeful Jessica O’Connell. “She will always be my favourite professional athlete,” says Stenning.

The Elite women punch in for race #2 of the U.S. Championship Series. #SpartanRace #SpartanOnNBC

A photo posted by Spartan Race (@spartanrace) on Jun 4, 2016 at 9:31am PDT