BEFORE LAUNCH
Before we inform you of the birth of DEKA Fit, we
On December 27, 2019, Spartan Race announced the first ever DEKA FIT, which was to take place in Denver
DEKAFIT was created by Spartan Race as a response to the growing popularity of functional fitness and hybrid racing competitions. It was officially launched in 2020, spearheaded by Spartan founder Joe De Sena and the DEKA team of Yancy Culp and Jared Cogswell. The concept behind DEKAFIT was to provide a standardized competition format that could test athletes’ overall fitness through a series of ten functional fitness zones, or “DEKA Zones.”
DEKAFIT has experienced steady and measurable growth since its inception, solidifying its position as the second-leading hybrid fitness racing competition, behind HYROX.
To help explain the growth, we need
2021 to 2024, the trends reflect an expanding global presence, increased participation, and a broadening affiliate network.
In 2021, DEKAFIT hosted just five events, all in the United States, with a total of 1,746 finishers, averaging 349 participants per event. By 2022, this number grew to eight events and 3,890 finishers, reflecting a 123% increase in total participation. The average number of finishers per event also rose significantly, indicating increased engagement and interest.
The year 2023 marked DEKAFIT’s first foray into international markets with four events in Europe. While the number of U.S. events remained steady at ten, the combined global total reached 14 events with 7,137 finishers. European events averaged 552 participants, showcasing the sport’s immediate appeal to a new audience.
By 2024, DEKAFIT expanded further with 20 total events across three regions: 10 in the United States, 9 in Europe, and its first event in Australia. Total participation climbed to 14,845, doubling the previous year’s numbers. Europe’s average participation rose to 839 finishers per event, demonstrating the growing enthusiasm for DEKAFIT outside of North America.
Parallel to the growth in events, DEKAFIT’s affiliate network has also expanded. From 25 affiliates in 2021, the network reached 360 affiliates by the end of 2024. Affiliates now span 13 countries, including the USA, Canada, Mexico, Fiji, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Spain, Switzerland, the UAE, and the United Kingdom. This global network has allowed DEKAFIT to establish a solid foundation for future growth and accessibility.
The combination of increasing event numbers, broader geographic reach, and growing affiliate partnerships underscores DEKAFIT’s commitment to making functional fitness accessible to a worldwide audience. The following table provides a detailed breakdown of the growth trends from 2021 to 2024:
You can scroll to the right to see worldwide totals.
| Year | USA Events | USA Finishers | USA Avg | Europe Events | Europe Finishers | Europe Avg | AUS Events | AUS Finishers | AUS Avg | Total Events | Total Finishers | Worldwide Affiliates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 | 1746 | 349 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 5 | 1746 | 25 |
| 2022 | 8 | 3890 | 486 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | – | 8 | 3890 | 91 |
| 2023 | 10 | 4930 | 493 | 4 | 2207 | 552 | 0 | 0 | – | 14 | 7137 | 245 |
| 2024 | 10 | 7047 | 705 | 9 | 7552 | 839 | 1 | 246 | 246 | 20 | 14845 | 360 |
USA
Canada
Mexico
Fiji
Ireland
Italy
Malaysia
Netherlands
Puerto Rico
Spain
Switzerland
UAE
United Kingdom