Storied La Ruta Mountain Bike Race Sells Out Field for 2021 Event

January 13, 2021

Original MTB Stage Race Plans Return November 4-6, 2021 in Costa Rica

SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA (January 13, 2021) – Following the first cancelation in its 28-year history, organizers of the La Ruta mountain bike stage race have announced that the 2021 event, scheduled to take place November 4-6, 2021, is sold out. This marks the first sellout for La Ruta in 10 years, and comes after its founders and organizers, Roman and Florencia Urbina, entered a strategic partnership with leading endurance brand Spartan®. La Ruta traverses Costa Rica coast to coast, from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic over a three-day period.

“Canceling the 2020 La Ruta event was the most difficult decision we faced since founding the event nearly three decades ago,” said Roman Urbina, the Founder of La Ruta and the godfather of mountain bike stage races. “We were ready to host our biggest event to date, thanks to our partnership with Spartan, and then the pandemic hit. While it was a hard decision, we had the health and safety of our team, racers, and our country at the forefront of our hearts. We’re optimistic for 2021 and so encouraged by, and grateful for, the support of the mountain bike community following the sellout. We cannot wait to get out on the trails!”

The 28th edition of La Ruta will be held November 4-6, 2021 in Costa Rica, hosting a mix of locals and top riders from around that world. For the first time, La Ruta will include a $50,000 cash purse for the elite category racers. The event is supported by longtime strategic sponsor, Land Rover.

“I can’t think of a better sign of what’s to come in 2021,” said Spartan Founder and CEO Joe De Sena. “The sold-out field of La Ruta, paired with strong registration numbers across Spartan, Tough Mudder® and DEKAFIT® events, shows the global endurance sports community’s readiness to get safely back at it — and I’m proud that we’re able to share in the success with Roman and Florencia.”

La Ruta began when Roman Urbina, an elite Costa Rican athlete and adventurer, gathered a group of 17 friends to retrace the steps of the three conquistadores who, in the 1560s, began a 20-year journey through the beautiful and treacherous mountains of Costa Rica. When it was done, Roman emerged more convinced than ever that hard challenges can engender truth, understanding, and self-knowledge that can push anyone to greatness. Determined that such a trip had to be turned into an annual epic event, he created La Ruta, and the rest is history.

With safety being Spartan’s and La Ruta’s No. 1 priority, organizers may implement modified operating procedures to maximize the safety of racers, spectators and all event personnel. Spartan will continue to follow global health and safety guidelines and work closely with local officials and safety advisors – which could result in alterations to events on a case-by-case basis.

For more information on the La Ruta Mountain Bike event, visit RaceLaRuta.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Travis Ketcham – La Ruta, Travis@spartanlaruta.com

Jonathan Fine – Spartan, jonathanf@spartan.com, +17812483963

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