Spartan Race at Oleta River State Park

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  The signal smoke marks the beginning of the race. Thousands of runners gathered for the Super Spartan Race obstacle run at Oleta River Park on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Gregory Castillo / Miami Herald Staff

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  In the final obstacle of the Spartan Race, runners are smacked around with large cushion dumbbells before reaching the finish line. Thousands of runners gathered for the Spartan Race obstacle run at Oleta River Park on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Gregory Castillo / Miami Herald Staff

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  William Lovell, right, hits the sounding bell to complete the rope climbing obstacle of the race's final stretch. Thousands of runners gathered for the Spartan Race obstacle run at Oleta River Park on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Gregory Castillo / Miami Herald Staff

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  Rachel Goldberg, 25, tracks through mud and barbed wire near the end of the race. Thousands of runners gathered for the Spartan Race obstacle run at Oleta River Park on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Gregory Castillo / Miami Herald Staff

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  Casey Wilson leads the charge through man-made mud trenches. Thousands of runners gathered for the Spartan Race obstacle run at Oleta River Park on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Gregory Castillo / Miami Herald Staff

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  Victor Barrientes, left, runs through man-made mud trenches and pouring water. Thousands of runners gathered for the Spartan Race obstacle run at Oleta River Park on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Gregory Castillo / Miami Herald Staff

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  Chris London, 34, navigates the race's first obstacle, runing through a knee-deep river. Thousands of runners gathered for the Spartan Race obstacle run at Oleta River Park on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Gregory Castillo / Miami Herald Staff

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  Debra Rudisill, left, and Missy Morris jump over an early obstacle wall. Thousands of runners gathered for the Spartan Race obstacle run at Oleta River Park on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 Gregory Castillo / Miami Herald Staff

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  The penultimate obstacle makes runners climb up a slanted muddy wall and climb down a makeshift wooden fence on the other side. Thousands of runners gathered for the Spartan Race obstacle run at Oleta River Park on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 Gregory Castillo / Miami Herald Staff

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  Linda Herrera, 27, is awarded her completion medal for finishing the Elite run. Thousands of runners gathered for the Spartan Race obstacle run at Oleta River Park on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013. Gregory Castillo / Miami Herald Staff