A gym owner is hoping to turn Macclesfield into the 'Mecca' of fitness racing.

The Deadly Dozen Institute of Fitness Racing is just weeks away from opening.

It marks a huge moment for Jason Curtis, who launched the 'hardest yet most accessible' fitness race just last year.

He believes this new facility could help put Macclesfield on the map.

Jason said: "I love Macc, I always say it can become the Mecca of fitness racing.

"I want Macclesfield to be the central hub for fitness racing in the UK and for this to be a world-renowned facility.

"It's a really big commitment because the cost of this place is huge, so hopefully it works!"

The Deadly Dozen Institute of Fitness Racing officially opens on January 1 (Credit: Nub News)

Jason first entered the fitness industry a decade ago, when he set up 5S Fitness on Hurdsfield Road after leaving the military.

Towards the end of 2023, Jason came up with the idea for Deadly Dozen, a fitness race that combines 12 400m track runs with 12 exercise stations.

The event has enjoyed a meteoric rise and can now be found in 24 countries, including Australia, South Africa, America, Canada and soon, India.

Next year will see the Deadly Dozen World Championships take place at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, with £120,000 in prize money up for grabs.

There will also be the first-ever Deadly Dozen kids' event, held right here in Macclesfield.

Asked why fitness racing has become so popular, Jason said: "Because it combines everything.

"The fitness industry used to be you either lifted weights or you were a runner and what fitness racing has done is merged it all together.

"It's just boomed and it will continue to boom because people want goals and fitness racing provides the perfect goal."

The Institute is located on the banks of the River Bollin (Credit: Nub News)

The Deadly Dozen Institute of Fitness Racing takes over the old chemical works building on George Street.

Most recently used by Hangar Seven as a video production and photographic studio, the building had been vacant for at least five years and looked set to be knocked down.

"It would have been a crime to knock this building down," Jason said.

"It's an impressive place, I think it will shock people when they come."

Inside the Deadly Dozen Institute of Fitness Racing (Credit: Nub News)

The Institute will double as both a conventional gym and an event space for Deadly Dozen, Hyrox and DEKA fitness races.

Jason has spent around £250,000 on fitting the place out, including custom flooring and plenty of rowing, skiing and cycling machines.

Located on the banks of the River Bollin, the venue will also have a 'riverside spa' area with a sauna, outdoor showers and ice baths.

Each weekend, Jason expects around 100 people to travel to Macclesfield to take part in events at the Institute.

He said: "People will be coming from all over the world to visit Macclesfield, we've already had interest from people in America and Germany who want to race."

"It's make or break. If this facility isn't successful, it will be pretty catastrophic.

"But my aim is to turn Deadly Dozen into an eight figure company and one of the biggest races in the world."

The outdoors 'riverside spa' area (Credit: Nub News)

Ahead of the official opening on January 1, the Institute will host an open day from 7pm to 9pm on Saturday, December 20.

Once up and running, fitness fanatics of all ages and abilities will be able to purchase no contract memberships that provide access to the gym, expert-led classes and the riverside spa.