GYMRACE vs Strong Viking : distance, stations, prix et difficulté comparés (2026-27)

GYMRACE is an indoor fitness race organised by the team behind Mud Masters, which has run sports events in the Netherlands and Germany since 2012. Races are held in large indoor venues in the Netherlands, Germany and France, including Utrecht, Amsterdam, Weeze, Duisburg and Paris.

The course has five 1 km runs, 5 km in total. Each run is followed by two stations, and the race ends with a 50 m sprint. The ten stations are a sled push, wall balls, a slam ball carry, a 1,000 m row, kettlebell swings to overhead, a 1,000 m SkiErg, dumbbell farmers lunges, a 2,000 m bike, burpee broad jumps and the final sprint. Athletes race solo, as buddies who split the station work, or in a relay team, in women's, men's, mixed and heavier 'Heavy' categories. The average finish time is about 1 hour 20 minutes and there is no cut-off time. The buddy category is the organiser's suggested entry point for newer athletes.

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.