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

HybridX is a fitness event company based in North Wales that runs its races at the Eirias Events Centre in Colwyn Bay. Its original event, HybridX Stride, is a multi-stage race of seven 600 m runs, each followed by a functional station: assault bike, farmers carry, sled push and drag, row, burpee broad jumps, sandbag lunges and SkiErg. Stride can be entered in Singles, Doubles or a three-person Relay.

HybridX also runs other formats. Off Season Games is a no-run team competition for three people, Engine is a six-zone race scored on distance, and Forge is a nine-zone doubles challenge. There are also Kids Editions for ages 8 and up. Adult events are open from age 16, with divisions for different experience levels, so the races suit first-timers as well as experienced hybrid athletes. Spectators attend free.

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.