THOUSANDS of athletes from across Europe descended on a Peeblesshire farm at the weekend to compete in one of the world's leading obstacle races.

And the epic hills and gruelling terrain of Spittal Farm, outside Carlops, provided the perfect test.

The elite athletes from 15 different countries were competing in the third annual Reebok Spartan Race European Championship.

Norwegian Jonathan Albon, and Zuzana Kocumova of the Czech Republic, were crowned as the ultimate Spartans, completing the Reebok Spartan Race European Championship course in 2 hours 20 minutes and 2 hours 42 minutes, respectively.

Brits Freya Martin from Pamber Green and Conor Hancock of Sheffield came in second place, achieving times of 2 hours 56 minutes and 2 hours 29 minutes in the female and male competitions.

To qualify for Sunday’s European Championship heat, elites had to finish in the top ten in European Reebok Spartan Races.

Scott Nilson from Spartan Race International, told the Peeblesshire News: “With over 50 races in 10 European countries in the last nine months, we were overwhelmed by the standard of the athletes on the day. Their competitiveness and sportsmanship is testament to the popularity of the Spartan brand and how challenging our courses are."

The top five in both the male and female races now qualify for the World Championship at Lake Tahoe in October.

Spartan Race Founder Joe De Sena added: “It’s been incredible to see people all over Europe and the world embrace Spartan Race and see it evolve into what is now a global movement.

"Racers from all continents attend our World Championship, with European athletes continuously ranking in the top three."

Sunday's Reebok Spartan Races were also open to enthusiasts of all abilities.

Participants challenged themselves in the 5 kilometre ‘Sprint’ course with 15 obstacles or the 20 kilometre ‘Beast’ course with over 30 obstacles.

Each course tested competitors’ mental and physical strength in one of the toughest ever obstacle course races.

This year’s winner of the women’s Spartan Sprint was Joda Quigley of Falkirk, who completed the course in 1 hour 22 minutes.

Fellow Brit Tristan Steed, from Colchester, came first in the men’s race by completing the course in an impressive time of 56 minutes 49 seconds.

The female victor of the Beast was Sheffield’s Gemma Woodhead, who crossed the line in 3 hours 24 minutes.

Sprint champion, Tristan Steed, also came first in the Beast in a staggering 2 hours 36 minutes.

For Spartan UK racers, completing all three distances Sprint, Super and Beast in one season allows them a place in the coveted Spartan Trifecta Tribe.

Joe De Sena, Spartan CEO and Founder, who completed the race himself, while carrying 20 kilogram weights in each hand, was full of praise for the farm owned by John Kennedy. Mr De Sena said: “Spittal Farm is an epic venue and as always, we provided the athletes with a world-class course to push each of them to the limit.

“It’s amazing to see so many people get behind the Spartan movement in the UK.

"As ever, I was blown away by the resiliency, grit and passion of the British warriors.”

The next race weekend in the UK series is a double header with a Spartan Sprint and Spartan Super at Elton Hall, Peterborough in September.