In a display of resilience and elite athleticism, Filipino obstacle course racing star Elias Tabac claimed a dominant victory at the men's 21K Spartan Beast race in Pattaya, Thailand. The former Southeast Asian Games champion crossed the finish line on November 30, 2025, with a time of 1 hour, 42 minutes, and 18 seconds, securing the top podium spot.
A Triumphant Comeback Against Top Competition
Tabac's performance was nothing short of commanding. He managed to edge out a strong international field, finishing ahead of Russian athletes Stanislav Tikhomirov, who clocked in at 1:42:48, and Sergei Pyliaev, who completed the grueling course in 1:52:56. The 32-year-old from the Philippines stood proudly at the center of the medal ceremony, a testament to his years of dedication to the sport.
This win marks a powerful comeback for Tabac, who revealed that 2024 was a year of significant struggle. In an interview with SunStar Davao, he shared that he had to take a year off for surgery, interrupting a remarkable six-year reign as the Spartan king in the Philippines. "I'm super happy to come back and win," Tabac expressed. "2024 was a tough year, but I bounced back and became champion again."
Mastering the Beast and a Personal Best
The Spartan Beast 21K course in Thailand's Wisdom Valley is renowned for its punishing series of obstacles designed to test strength, endurance, and mental fortitude. Tabac navigated a gauntlet that included:
- The 4F and 6F walls, hurdles, and vertical cargo nets
- Complex rigs like the monkey bars, multi rig, and twister
- Strength challenges such as the Hercules hoist, Atlas carry, and sandbag carries
- Endurance tests like the barbed wire crawl and bucket carry
Despite his mastery, Tabac admitted the ever-unpredictable spear throw still posed a challenge. He credited the relatively flat Thai terrain for allowing him to push his limits and achieve a personal record time.
An Emotional Dedication and a Fitting Finale
Beyond the physical achievement, the victory carried profound emotional weight for Tabac. With his voice filled with emotion, he dedicated his hard-fought win to his late daughter, who would have celebrated her seventh birthday on December 2. "This win is for my baby," he stated, revealing she passed away in 2019.
Tabac also indicated that the 2025 season would be his last, making the Thailand victory a perfect and poignant conclusion to his competitive racing career. "This is my last season this year, and it's a great way to end 2025," he said. "To God be the glory!"
Elias Tabac's journey to the pinnacle of obstacle course racing is rooted in a deep commitment to sports development. Before becoming a national athlete, he spent seven years with the Davao del Norte Provincial Sports Development Division, fostering grassroots programs. Since 2020, he has represented the Philippines under the Pilipinas Obstacle Sports Federation, a tenure highlighted by a gold medal at the 2023 SEA Games. He now continues his work and resides in his hometown of Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur.
In the women's division of the same event, Thailand's Nisachon Morgan dominated with a time of 2:25:13, followed by American Yara Alves (2:28:24) and Vietnam's Kim Luu Linh (2:56:59).
