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Brutal but brilliant: the Deadly Dozen hybrid fitness race lands at Sydney’s AusFitness Expo
One of the world’s fastest-growing hybrid fitness races is touching down in Sydney this September, and it’s bringing its signature blend of pain and glory with it.
Deadly Dozen, the global hybrid fitness race that started in the UK in 2024, has exploded onto the international scene in just two years. It now operates in more than 30 countries, running hundreds of track and gym races worldwide, and this September it takes its place on the floor of the AusFitness Expo in Sydney.
At the Expo, Deadly Dozen will run the Deadly Fitness Test (DFT): an alternating run and functional strength workout completed as fast as possible to set a benchmark time. Think of it as half of the main track race, testing both cardiovascular endurance and raw strength in one unforgiving hit.
The race is the brainchild of Jason Curtis, a former British Army Physical Training Instructor, bestselling author of more than twenty books, and one of the UK’s leading strength and conditioning coaches. His concept has translated well to Australian soil. Deadly Dozen arrived here in 2025 with its first track event held in Sydney in May, and it hasn’t slowed since; by the end of 2026, the brand will have staged six track events, with close to 4,000 athletes having taken part.
The 9-to-5er taking on the elite
If you want to understand the appeal of hybrid racing, look no further than Dominic Shepherd. The Bondi-based athlete and Deadly Dozen Australia ambassador has become a prominent figure in the Hyrox and fitness-racing scene, and he’s done it all while holding down a full-time 9-to-5 job.
Dom threw himself into hybrid racing three years ago, winning the first-ever Melbourne men’s open Hyrox race. He followed it with a string of podiums, qualification for three consecutive Hyrox World Championships, and the honour of representing Australia on the global stage.
His journey hasn’t been without setbacks, though. Fourteen months ago, Dom came off a Lime bike on his way to the gym, badly tearing his hamstring and tendon. After a nine-month recovery, he tore a ligament in his foot in his very first race back. Yet he remains one of the sport’s major forces.
“I love it, and I want to keep inspiring the 9-to-5ers of Australia to challenge themselves, and to show they can compete with elite athletes without being full-time athletes,” he says.
It’s a message that sits right at the heart of what Deadly Dozen is about: accessible, scalable competition that meets you where you are.
Bigger than ever in 2026
The AusFitness Expo returns to Sydney from 11–13 September, and the 2026 edition is shaping up to be the biggest yet. Across three days, the event brings together hundreds of athletes competing in a surprisingly broad range of disciplines — Fitness Racing, CrossFit, Strongman, Powerlifting, ICN, Street Workout, Street Lifting and more.
New to the line-up this year is the Deadly Dozen Fitness Race, a must-do for anyone who loves the challenge of a fitness race, or simply enjoys watching one unfold.
There’s star power on the floor, too. Bradman Houston, Australia’s Strongest Man, and Kwame, the natural bodybuilder and TikTok star, are among the athletes set to appear for exclusive workouts and Q&As throughout the weekend.
And beyond the competition floor, more than 150 top-tier brands will be set up across nutrition, supplements, apparel and training gear — most running expo-only deals and handing out samples. Come with a spare bag.
The AusFitness Expo runs 11–13 September at ICC Sydney. Tickets are available now.
Zachary Skinner is the editor of TechDrivePlay.com, where tech, cars and adventure share the fast lane.
A former snowboarding pro and programmer, he brings both creative flair and technical know-how to his reviews. From high-performance cars to clever gadgets, he explores how innovation shapes the way we move, connect and live.
