ATHX vs Getting Tough - The Race : distance, stations, prix et difficulté comparés (2026-27)

ATHX is a UK-born hybrid fitness competition, co-founded by coach Ollie Marchon, that now runs events across the UK, Europe and the United States. Each ATHX event is a continuous 2.5-hour session across six zones. Every competitor completes the same three workouts: a Strength zone (20 minutes), an Endurance zone (30 minutes) and a MetCon X zone (30 minutes). These are separated by a warm-up zone, a refuel zone and a recovery zone. The workouts and movement standards are published for each season.

Athletes enter as singles or pairs, in an ATHX or a harder ATHX PRO category, and pairs can be same-sex or mixed. Season results lead to the ATHX Finals, held in Lisbon in 2026. The fixed rest periods and clear divisions make ATHX accessible to first-timers, while the strength element suits athletes who lift as well as run and row.

Getting Tough - The Race is a German extreme obstacle race brand that has run since 2011, organised by GETTINGTOUGH GmbH. It became known for its winter race in Rudolstadt, Thuringia, a 24 km course with around 900 m of climbing and obstacle parcours where failing an obstacle leads to disqualification.

The current event is Getting Tough 5Elements in Oberhof, Thuringia, held in late June in the Thuringian Forest winter-sports town. Adults choose a 9 km run or a 17 km run, or combine both as the 5Elements eXtreme ticket (9 km + 17 km); there is also a 'Legend of Speed' format. The YOKI AHORN Kidsrun offers 2 km and 5 km courses for children aged 6 to 16. The event is aimed at runners who want a demanding obstacle course with real elevation, while the 9 km option is the more accessible entry point.