December 10-13, 2026

December 10-13, 2026
FORT WORTH, TEXAS, USA

Texas-sized grit meets global competition at the 2026 DEKA World Championship in Fort Worth.


This four-day event features record-breaking championship action along with opportunities for the local community to come out and compete, all amidst the historic charm of the legendary Stockyards.

Championship Event Weekend

Experience the 2026 DEKA World Championship Weekend in Fort Worth, Texas from December 10-13. This multi-day event features the invite-only DEKA FIT, MILE, and STRONG championships, showcasing the best of the 2026 season in an elite display of fitness racing

The Championship Events: DEKA FIT, DEKA MILE and DEKA STRONG invite-only World Championship races from December 10-12, 2026.

The Community Showdown: Open-to-the-public DEKA STRONG races on Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13, where the entire community can test their grit and experience the vibrant energy of the World Championship arena firsthand.

The Location: Fort Worth Convention Center 1201 Houston St, Fort Worth, TX 76102

DEKA FIT World Championship

5K and 10 DEKA Zones stand between you and the title of DEKA FIT World Champion. The DEKA FIT World Championship takes place on Thursday, December 10th.

Morning:

  • Age Group Heats - Youth
  • Age Group Heats - Adult Female & Male
  • Ruck Heats - Female 44 & Under and 45+, Male 44 & Under
  • Elite Heats - Female & Male

Afternoon:

  • Ruck Heats - Male 45+
  • Elite 2-Person Team Heats - Male, Female & Co-Ed
  • Age Group 2-Person Team Heats - Adult Male, Female & Co-Ed
  • Age Group 2-Person Team Heats - Youth & Adult/Youth
  • Elite 4-Person Team Heats - Male, Female & Co-Ed
  • Age Group 4-Person Team Heats - Adult Male, Female & Co-Ed
  • Age Group 4-Person Team Heats - Youth & Adult/Youth


    What’s on the line:
    Elite Individual and Elite 2-Person Teams athletes will compete for a place on the podium and their share of a championship prize purse. Age Group Individual, Age Group 2-Person Teams, Age Group 4-Person Teams, and Ruck athletes will compete for their place on the podium. Ruck Division podium prizes will be provided by Titan 6 Actual.
DEKA MILE World Championship

The DEKA MILE is our middle-distance event featuring the signature 10 DEKA Zones each preceded by 160 meters of running. Who has what it takes to earn the title of DEKA MILE World Champion on Friday, December 11th?

Morning:

  • Age Group Heats - Youth
  • Age Group Heats - Adult Female
  • Ruck Heats - Female 44 & Under and 45+
  • Age Group Heats - Adult Male (14-29)
  • Elite Heats - Female & Male

Afternoon:

  • Age Group Heats - Adult Male (30-64)
  • Ruck Heats - Male 44 & Under and 45+
  • Elite 2-Person Team Heats - Male, Female & Co-Ed
  • Age Group 2-Person Team Heats - Adult Male, Female & Co-Ed
  • Age Group 2-Person Team Heats - Youth & Adult/Youth
  • Elite 4-Person Team Heats - Male, Female & Co-Ed
  • Age Group 4-Person Team Heats - Adult Male, Female & Co-Ed
  • Age Group 4-Person Team Heats - Youth & Adult/Youth


    What’s on the line:
    Elite Individual and Elite 2-Person Teams athletes will compete for a place on the podium and their share of a championship prize purse. Age Group Individual, Age Group 2-Person Teams, and Ruck athletes will compete for their place on the podium. Ruck Division podium prizes will be provided by Titan 6 Actual.
DEKA STRONG World Championship

Ten zones, no running, zero room for errors - that’s what the DEKA STRONG World Championship is all about. This is the event that featured the highest number of mind-blowing, down-to-the-line photo finishes at previous DEKA World Championship years, so expect nonstop thrills. The DEKA STRONG World Championship takes place on Saturday.

Saturday evening and all day Sunday will also feature open-to-the-public DEKA STRONG heats, which will serve as 2027 DEKA World Championship qualifiers.


Saturday DEKA STRONG World Championship Heats


Morning:

  • Age Group Heats - Youth
  • Age Group Heats - Adult Female
  • Ruck Heats - Female 44 & Under and 45+
  • Age Group Heats - Adult Male (14-39)
  • Elite Heats - Female & Male


Afternoon:

  • Age Group Heats - Adult Male (40-64)
  • Ruck Heats - Male 44 & Under and 45+
  • Elite 2-Person Team Heats - Male, Female & Co-Ed
  • Age Group 2-Person Team Heats - Adult Male, Female & Co-Ed
  • Age Group 2-Person Team Heats - Youth & Adult/Youth
  • Elite 4-Person Team Heats - Male, Female & Co-Ed
  • Age Group 4-Person Team Heats - Adult Male, Female & Co-Ed
  • Age Group 4-Person Team Heats - Youth & Adult/Youth

Saturday/Sunday DEKA STRONG Public Event Heats

  • Age Group Heats
  • 2-Person Teams Heats


What’s on the line:


For the invite-only World Championship DEKA STRONG, Elite Individual and Elite 2-Person Teams athletes will compete for a place on the podium and their share of a championship prize purse. Age Group Individual, Age Group 2-Person Teams, and Ruck athletes will compete for their place on the podium. Ruck Division podium prizes will be provided by Titan 6 Actual.

Qualifications

DEKA FIT, DEKA MILE, DEKA STRONG World Championships (Thursday, December 10th - Saturday, December 12th)

All DEKA World Championship athletes must earn a qualifying (or rolldown) spot in their division on the 2026 DEKA Global Leaderboard at the close of the 2026 DEKA FIT Qualifying Season. The final weekend to qualify for DEKA STRONG and DEKA MILE World Championships is September 12-13, 2026. The final weekend to qualify for the DEKA FIT World Championship is September 26-27, 2026. See the 2026 DEKA World Championship FAQ (coming soon)for qualifying criteria and invitation email schedule.


Public DEKA STRONG Events (Saturday, December 12th and Sunday, December 13th)


No qualification necessary for the open-to-the-public DEKA STRONG heats. Come ready to give everything you've got as you move through the 10 signature DEKA Zones with no running.

Plan Your Stay

__Visit Fort Worth: The Unexpected City __

Downtown’s vibrant Sundance Square offers 37 blocks of premier dining and live entertainment, while the nearby Cultural District features world-class museums and the lush Botanic Garden.

Come early. Stay Late. Discover the Modern West!
Special rates are available at these hotels:

The Experience
Grid
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"Crossing that finish line in the championship environment, that's what triumph feels like."
Brian Dirk

FAQ

Do I have to qualify to race at the DEKA World Championship?
How can I qualify to race at the DEKA World Championship?
Is there a way to race if I don’t qualify?
What is the prize money for Elites?
What are the podium prizes that can be earned in each category?