Deadly Dozen vs Strong Viking: distance, stations, price & difficulty compared (2026-27)

Deadly Dozen is a hybrid fitness race that began with a track race in Macclesfield, England, in mid-2024, founded by Jason Curtis. In the original Track Race, athletes alternate twelve 400 m runs, called Journeys, with twelve functional exercise stations, called Labours, for 4.8 km of running in total.

Athletes can race solo, as pairs who share the Labours, or as a relay team taking turns. Alongside the Track Race, the brand runs Deadly Sprint, Ultra and Hybrid formats, a youth race, a swim edition and gym-based races, including strength and barbell formats, through affiliate gyms. UK track races are held at athletics venues such as Lee Valley, Sheffield, Middlesbrough, Bristol, Macclesfield, Edinburgh, Crawley, Liverpool and Portsmouth, and the organisers say the network now spans 44 countries. First-timers are welcome, and the movements are designed to be accessible while still demanding.

Strong Viking is an obstacle run series held in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, with Viking-themed courses featuring mud trenches, water and climbing obstacles such as the 14-metre Fjord Drop and Storm the Castle. The organisers present it as a challenge rather than a race, with a focus on helping fellow participants finish.

Distances range from a 4 km Family Run and a 4 km Beginning course for first-timers through the 7 km Lightning, 13 km Warrior and 19 km Beast to a 42 km course and the 60 km Ultra Viking. Event weekends listed for 2027 include Wijchen, Hofstade, Frankfurt and Ghent, with most offering several distances across two or three days. Strong Viking has won several obstakels.com awards, including best obstacle run of the Benelux. The shorter distances suit beginners and groups of friends, while the longer courses are aimed at experienced obstacle runners.