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| Two Iconic Locations, One Weekend, One Global Leaderboard
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An ocean apart, but chasing the same standings.
Last weekend, DEKA FIT landed in both Manchester and Boston, two flagship events, one shared Global Leaderboard, and every mark earned had the power to shift where athletes sit.
Thousands of athletes turned up to celebrate fitness and earn their mark. Boston came out on top across DEKA FIT and Ruck, with Sam Strosser (31:33) and Cassie Carroll (34:24) leading the Elite fields. Manchester answered back where it mattered most, the Ultra, as Oriol Torró (3:18:03) and Jessica Short (3:33:21) posted the quickest times of the entire weekend, over 20 minutes clear of Boston's best.
Two cities, two very different stories, but together they wrote the same one.
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| Boston, 24-26 July
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New England's DEKA scene turned out in force at the Seaport District's Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, 1,750 racers strong, with Underdog Fitness, Built by Buccieri and Fitness Appeal leading the charge on the floor. This year's event doubled as a 2026 DWC Qualifier, sharpening the competition from the gun.
At the front, Stephen Strosser (31:33.7) and Cassandra Carroll (34:24.2) topped the Elite podiums, posting the fastest times of the weekend and setting the tone for a fast, physical field.
What stood out most was who showed up. Women made up 53% of the field, and racers spanned an extraordinary range, from a 12-year-old competitor to athletes in their 70s, proof that DEKA's community keeps getting wider as well as faster.
Next stop: Philadelphia, August 8–9
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| Manchester, 24-26 July
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Manchester Central's soaring Grade II arches set the stage for a landmark weekend: the UK's first DEKA Ultra, its first two-lap course. 2,900 athletes went head to head in a 2026 World Championship Qualifier.
The standout moment came in Elite Male Teams.
Jeremy McConnell and Jude Reynolds chased the
Global Leaderboard's number one time and missed it by seconds, but the performance had the crowd counting down every step.
Double podiums stole the show. Tania Thies and Jessica Short swapped first and second between Elite Individual and Ultra, with Mimi Paton taking third in both. Jude Reynolds backed up individual silver with Teams gold alongside McConnell, and Daniel Redondo added Co-Ed Teams gold to his Ruck podium.
Community brought the heart. Ffitrwydd Môn Fitness took the Biggest Team crown with 72 athletes, and Nikki Waters earned Spirit of the Ruck from partner Yomp.
Next stop: East Midlands Arena, September 11–13, 2026.
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| Yorkshire, 25-26 July
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Broughton Estate brought rolling hills, sweeping views of the Yorkshire Dales, and one of the toughest courses on the calendar. Ten thousand Mudders battled rocky paths and unforgiving grass, with wind, sun and rain all making an appearance across the weekend.
Overnight rain turned Saturday properly muddy, and Mud Mile felt it most, built steeper than ever and clearable only through teamwork. Kiss of Mud, Everest and Block Ness Monster all delivered, while Arctic Enema hit just as hard as ever.
In the Infinity races, Craig Derbyshire led the men with 64.5km, ahead of Daniel Hawthorne and Paul Britton. Leanne Vaitkus-Murphy topped the women's field with 51.5km, followed by Sam Speirs and Jo Wilson.
The real story belonged to the legends. Four Mudders crossed the line for their 100th event, rare company indeed. Leon went further still, marking his
150th Tough Mudder.
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