The HYROX Relay Invitational has never been shy about making a noisy entrance, and this year’s edition promises enough drama to make a soap opera blush.
Scheduled for Friday, 13 June, the fan‑favourite sprint spectacular will welcome 20 elite quartets—15 drawn from the season’s top‑ranked nations and five cheeky wildcards—into a 7 p.m. (local) showdown that will be livestreamed from start to tape‑break. Coverage flicks on at 6:20 p.m., perfect for pre‑race snacks and last‑second predictions.
Why This Format Sparks a Frenzy
Picture a 1 km run followed by a station assault—rinse, repeat—then hand the baton to a teammate who’s equally allergic to pacing.
Each athlete completes two non‑consecutive sprints and two stations, turning the HYROX Relay Invitational into a controlled detonation of lactic acid and national pride.
Teams must submit their running order in advance, so tactics matter as much as twitch fibres, and one mistimed swallow of water can be the difference between glory and the replay reel of regret.
Flashback to Nice 2024
Last year’s maiden voyage at the Nice World Championships served up a podium tighter than a Scotsman’s wallet:
| Place | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1st | England (Michael Sandbach, Kate Davey) | 50:35 |
| 🥈 2nd | USA (Lauren Weeks, Megan Jacoby, Hunter McIntyre) | 50:55 |
| 🥉 3rd | Germany (Linda Meier, Viola Oberländer, Tobias Lautwein, Dominic Molzahn) | 51:08 |
Sandbach and Davey stole French hearts—then the trophy—by outsprinting the US trio of world champions on the wall‑balls.
Germany, never one to leave without hardware, rounded out the dance 33 seconds back. Expect payback plots to simmer faster than a kettle at a builders’ tea break.
How the 2025 Line‑Up Takes Shape
- 15 automatic berths – Highest‑ranked nations from the 2024/25 HYROX season.
- 5 wildcards – Hand‑picked to spice the stew; cue speculation, online petitions, and at least one surprise inclusion.
- Captains – Selected for equal parts athletic résumé and locker‑room gravitas. No pressure, then.
With England wearing the bullseye, eyes drift to the USA’s Hunter McIntyre, whose fashion sense is almost as flamboyant as his cadence, and to perennial powerhouse Germany, whose efficiency is matched only by their post‑race beer‑pouring accuracy.
Voices from the Engine Room
Mat Lock, Technical Director – Elite Racing, captures the mood better than a bagpiper at sunrise:
“The Relay Invitational is HYROX at full throttle – fast, furious, and fearless. It’s a showcase of national pride and elite athleticism, and we’re thrilled to bring it back to the World Championship stage.”
No edits necessary, Mat—couldn’t have scripted it sassier myself.
What to Watch on Race Night
- Order of Operations
The mandatory pre‑declared sequence means couch coaches can second‑guess strategy long before the starter’s pistol. - Transition Chaos
Handovers resemble speed dating with dumbbells; blink and you’ll miss a dropped tag—or a dropped opponent. - Wall‑Ball Showdowns
Last year’s finale proved 100 unbroken reps can swing fortunes faster than a short‑side bunker shot. - Streaming Playground
With HYROX broadcasting live, expect split times, heart‑rate telemetry, and commentator quips to spice your second screen.
How to Tune In
- When: Friday, 13 June 2025
- Stream goes live: 6:20 p.m. local | Gun time: 7 p.m.
- Where: Official HYROX channels (full details at hyrox.com)
Final Thoughts
In a sport that turns functional fitness into motorsport speed, the HYROX Relay Invitational is the turbo‑charged, highlight-reel cousin that rarely pays for its own drinks.
Whether you’re cheering for reigning champs England, revenge‑minded America, or a wildcard destined to crash the party, clear the calendar. There’s only one certainty: on Friday the 13th, luck will favour the fleet-footed—and perhaps the foolishly brave.
For more on training tips, national rankings, and post‑race analysis, stay tuned to our coverage hub throughout the season.
