Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

VI resident takes on Spartan Challenge in USA

- places 5th in his age group & 22nd overall
Marlon S. Felix (2nd from right) at the start line of the Spartan Challenge last weekend in the USA. Photo: Provided
The Spartan Challenge course. Photo: Provided
The Spartan Challenge course. Photo: Provided
Marlon S. Felix takes a photo to preserve a memorable experience. Photo: Provided
Marlon S. Felix takes a photo to preserve a memorable experience. Photo: Provided
Taking on the challenging course of the Spartan Challenge. Photo: Provided
Taking on the challenging course of the Spartan Challenge. Photo: Provided
Marlon S. Felix is also a martial artist. Photo: Provided
Marlon S. Felix is also a martial artist. Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Marlon S. Felix carried two banners when he trekked the trails of the recently concluded Spartan Challenge in the United States of America (USA)- that of the Virgin Islands (British) and Grenada.

The Spartan sprint was held in Wampum, PA last weekend. The race consisted of 4.8 miles and 21 obstacles. Although Felix obsessively watch these races, no two races were the same and the obstacles were a lot more challenging than they looked - barb wire crawls, crawls through very cold water, through knee deep mud and an overall cold challenging and slippery course looks a lot easier on TV to him.

“The most challenging moment for me was the multi ring, which required a lot of upper body strength. I failed on two obstacles (spare throw and vertical sand bag pull) which meant I had to do 30 burpees for each missed obstacle,” he related. But at the end, Mr Felix completed the course in 1:17:41, and placed 5th in his age group and 22nd overall of 2800 participants.

Felix, who is a Quantity Surveyor at Yates Associates, is originally from Grenada but has been living in the VI for 10 years and has been one who has been integrally involved in positive activities here in the territory. Health and fitness is one area he is well known for. “Health and fitness is very important to my wife and I. We do a lot together as a family and both being former athletes we love watching any competitive sport,” he told this news site.

An overcomer

Mr Felix gained interest in the Spartan races a few years ago after watching it on TV. Earlier this year, he said he watched Spartan Ultimate team challenge and was inspired by the team "Comeback kids". All five athletes on team Comeback kids shared something in common- they overcame a difficult period in their life, addiction, depression among other things.

“Their stories inspired me and for the first time in my adult life, I knew exactly what I wanted for my 31st birthday. I was also recovering from shoulder surgery and wanted a challenge. Because I am very competitive, I really wanted to try the obstacles. As a member of Purple Dragon, Virgin Gorda dojo, I am normally put through my paces by my Sensei Bevon [Baptiste] in karate, so I knew this would be the perfect challenge for me,” he said.

According to Mr Felix, since there are no obstacle courses on Virgin Gorda, his training for the race consisted mainly of running, lifting weights and watching videos of the Spartan workout.

“The most inspirational moment for me was watching and cheering on a 60-year-old lady as she did the rope climb, she showed me that we can do anything we put our minds to. It's not about your gender, age or size, but rather believing you can, setting goals and trying.”

“I had such an amazing experience and the goal is to earn a Spartan Trifecta. I'm already planning my next race and hoping to get my family to join me for a team race,” Felix disclosed to Virgin Islands News Online.

9 Responses to “VI resident takes on Spartan Challenge in USA”

  • represent (11/10/2016, 10:23) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm so proud of my brother for complete this challenge. Just let's me know more and more that we can do so much more than we think we are capable of. Thanks bro for being a inspiration for me an the rest of the family.
  • 123 (11/10/2016, 10:58) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    you go boy
  • PD VG Dojo (11/10/2016, 11:19) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Great job Team San Marlon. We at the Purple Dragon VG Dojo are extremely proud of you and I'm sure Sensei is as equally proud. This is big for both the Virgin Islands and Grenada.
  • ..... (11/10/2016, 16:58) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    You look fit my boy but why must black men always have their pants down below their ass.....?
    • ... (11/10/2016, 18:55) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      It's funny that all of a sudden this becomes about race, If you look closely you read the story you would realize he was crawling through mud and climb ropes with dri-fit clothing. Did you think "hey his pants must slid down whilst completing these tasks". Don't try to take away from this man's amazing accomplishment because if you know him you'll know that he doesn't wear his "pants below his ass"
    • Marlon (11/10/2016, 19:40) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      Can't answer for black men but I don't wear my pants under my ass. However I was using my dry fit boxers as a towel to enable me to complete some of the obstacles. It's difficult to climb a rope after coming from water or mud obstacles. Was not worried about fixing my self to take out a picture to be honest. Was just happy to completed.
    • Proud mom (12/10/2016, 06:24) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      If you read the article properly the you might understand why his pants is under his ass, if you try doing what he just did you might lost your pants
  • Proud 473/284 (11/10/2016, 17:48) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Way to go Marlon! This is such an inspirational story... I'm so proud of you!


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.