The Deadly Dozen track race involves 12 x 400m runs, which we refer to as Journeys, and 12 x exercise stations, which we refer to as Labours. The Labours only use bodyweight (BW), kettlebell (KB), dumbbell (DB) and weight plate (WP) exercises. Therefore, race training is incredibly accessible in any setting, whether in a gym, at home or outdoors. Ultimately, an individual could effectively train for the event with just a pair of kettlebells.
Deadly Dozen isn’t just about speed or strength—it’s about who you become under pressure. This article explores how fitness racing mirrors Stoic philosophy, building resilience, discipline, and self-mastery through voluntary hardship and honest competition.
Fitness racing has evolved from a gym-floor challenge into a legitimate global sport. With standardised formats, global leaderboards, and championship pathways, events like Deadly Dozen are redefining how strength and endurance are tested, measured, and celebrated. This article explores how fitness racing became a sport — and why its future is only just beginning.
In a world where performance is measured by metrics, medals, and milestones, Stoicism offers a quieter kind of victory — the mastery of self. Long before gym culture, race timing chips, or wearable tech, Stoic philosophers were already exploring the same principles that define today’s fitness racers: discipline, focus, and purpose in the face of adversity.
