CHALLENGER STORY
SBBU 2024
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
We spent some time with Sienna # 74: Sienna Riccardi aka Creasy of Sparta and asked her a few questions on last year’ s SBBU:
# 75: CREASY OF SPARTA
Q: WITH LAST YEAR BEING YOUR FIRST SBBU, WHAT WERE YOUR EXPECTATIONS GOING INTO THE EVENT?
I honestly expected it to be challenging, but not as hard as it actually was. I didn’ t train at all, but I still thought I’ d be able to push through and finish. I knew it wouldn’ t be a walk in the park, but I underestimated how tough it would really be.
Q: HOW DID THE 2024 SBBU COMPARE TO YOUR EXPECTATIONS?
It definitely exceeded my expectations— in the worst way! Within the first hour or two, I was already in pain and had to visit the massage station. I kept pushing and made it to the 13th round, but in the last five laps, my dad basically had to carry me. It was way harder than I imagined.
On the upside, one thing that surprised me was that I didn’ t really get tired. I think adrenaline kept me going. I was more in pain than anything else, but not super sleepy or fatigued like I expected.
Q: LAST YEAR, YOU MADE IT HALFWAY. HOW WAS THAT EXPERIENCE?
It was intense. I’ m proud I made it to round 13, especially without training, but it was brutal. The last few laps were a struggle— my dad had to help me a lot. It was a mix of adrenaline, determination, and pain. A learning experience for sure.
Q: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A NOVICE DOING THEIR FIRST SBBU?
Train. Seriously, that’ s the biggest thing. Don’ t go into it unprepared like I did.
And during the race, don’ t rush. It’ s not about speed— unless you’ re aiming for a personal best. Walk if you need to. Listen to your body. The main thing is just making it through and enjoying the experience as much as you can.
Q: WHAT IS THE BEST AND WORST PART OF THE SBBU?
The best part is 100 % the support. Everyone is cheering you on, whether they’ re in the race or just there to support. You really feel like you’ re part of something special.
The worst part— and this is on me— was the pain, especially on the hills near the end. Those were brutal. I didn’ t train, so it was my own fault, but those hills were killer.
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