Sand bags and sand traps: One full day of adventure in Campeche
It all started at 3 a.m. in the darkness of the madrugada in Mérida.
The alarm blared, and for a moment, I questioned my life choices. But today was Spartan Race Day in Campeche, and I was ready. Well, as ready as anyone can be for running, climbing, crawling, and everything else they throw at you in one of these races. I’d been preparing for weeks —functional training sessions plus hitting the outdoor fitness area at Parque La Plancha, swinging on monkey bars, climbing ropes, and tackling every obstacle that could mimic what I’d face on race day. Now, it was time to see if it all paid off.
The drive to Campeche is a two-and-a-half-hour journey that stayed dark the entire way down as I was driving in the early morning hours. The views of the rolling hills would have to wait until the drive back later in the afternoon.
Following the race organizers’ directions, I found the parking lot and made my way to pick up my kit. The air buzzed with energy—groups of friends, gym teams, military squads, and solo adventurers all gathered, ready to push themselves. It’s not every day you find a crowd willing to trade a Saturday morning sleep-in for crawling under barbed wire.
I linked up with some friends who had also made the trip, and we decided to tackle the course together. The camaraderie was immediate; races like this are just better with a crew.
From the start, it was a grind—20 obstacles over a coastal route that demanded everything we had. There were moments of pure grit: hauling sandbags through the Piratas de Campeche baseball stadium, scaling 20-foot ropes, and crawling through mud under barbed wire. And then there were moments of connection. At one obstacle—a towering, two-sided pyramid—I reached the top to find a young guy frozen in fear. Heights can get the best of anyone. I sat with him for a moment, talked him through it, and we climbed down together. That’s the thing about a Spartan Race: it’s not just about how fast you finish; it’s about the camaraderie and connections you build along the way.
The course hugged the coastline, offering stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico. Even when my legs burned and my grip felt shot, looking out over the water had a way of pulling me forward. Not every obstacle was a win, though. For the ones I couldn’t complete, the penalties—burpees or some other task to keep me honest. By the time we crossed the finish line, my friends and I were spent, but the high was undeniable. We hugged, high-fived, and soaked in the feeling of having pushed past our limits.
After the race, I had part two of my adventure lined up: a round of golf at El Delfín Golf Course at the Campeche Country Club. But life had one more curveball for me first. When I got back to my car, I found I had a flat tire. Just perfect, right? But hey, after crawling through mud and hauling sandbags, changing a tire didn’t seem so bad. Right there, in the Galerías parking garage, I decided not to let it ruin my day. I grabbed the spare tire and the jack from the trunk of my car and got to work. Once I got the spare, I was ready to roll. With the tire shops still closed at that hour, I decided to head straight to the golf course and fix the tire later.
Walking into the club was a moment. I was still covered in dried mud, a streak of blood down my leg, and looking every bit like I’d just survived a Spartan gauntlet. The contrast to the pristine golf course couldn’t have been sharper. Thankfully, they had showers. After a quick cleanup, I hit the practice range to shake off the morning’s intensity and reset.
Delfín Club de Golf is a stunner. The course winds along the coastline, with sweeping views of the Gulf, ponds, waterfalls, and well-manicured fairways and greens. Golf felt like the perfect counterbalance to the race—calm, deliberate, and focused. Each swing was a chance to breathe, reflect, and appreciate the day’s contrasts. By the 18th hole, I was tired but grounded, ready to face whatever came next.
On the drive back to Mérida, with a patched tire and the sun setting behind me, I couldn’t help but smile. The Spartan Race tested my body and grit, while the golf course gave me space to unwind and recharge. Together, they made for a day that reminded me why I chase these kinds of adventures. It’s not just about the physical challenge — it’s about the stories you take home and the moments that stick with you. If you’re looking for a way to shake things up, this kind of day might just be the answer.
Fitness trainer Jeff Shaw is a US native who has lived in Mérida for over 10 years with his wife and two children. He runs Longevity 360, helping clients over 40 maintain strength and agility.