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

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.

THE ROX is a hybrid fitness event held inside a shopping centre, the A10 Center in Wildau just outside Berlin. It was founded and is hosted by Andy Hagedorn, a personal trainer from the Berlin-Brandenburg fitness community.

The format combines running laps with functional workout stations such as burpee broad jumps, lunges and navy shuttle runs, with judges checking movement standards and electronic timing. Races start in timed slots throughout the day: single runs for women and men, mixed doubles, women's and men's doubles, a mixed team of four (two women, two men), and a kids' run for ages 8 to 14. The organiser says a basic level of fitness is enough and participants set their own pace, so it is aimed at newcomers as well as regular athletes. The shopping-centre setting means racing takes place in front of mall visitors, with partner stands and a warm-up area on site.