They formed a shattered, swirling constellation on the mountainside, a collection of stars coalesced from the raw material of struggle, pain, and pride.

I don't know about silentq but this last bit instantly made me think of standing at the base of the summit for Kilimanjaro, watching the headlamps of climbers ahead of us ascending the route, looking like drunken angels staggering their way to heaven.

by which I mean to say this is awesome stuff.

I have been partially intrigued and mostly bemused by hearing everyone's stories of Tough Mudder and Run for Your Lives, but your account of Spartan Beast is the first thing that makes me want to do this. This sounds like ridiculous fun.