The Hyrox World Championships returned with a bang—and a few bruises—as the 2024/25 season wrapped up in spectacular, sweat-drenched fashion at Chicago’s iconic Navy Pier from 12–15 June.
Marking the largest championship event in the brand’s explosive history, the Hyrox World Championships drew elite competitors, weekend warriors and adaptive athletes from around the globe to crown this year’s fittest.
It’s clear Hyrox isn’t slowing down. Over 600,000 athletes took part globally this season, a figure that’s set to surge again as the 2025/26 calendar kicks off in Singapore later this month. With nearly 40 races already announced for the rest of the year, the momentum is staggering.
At the heart of the action were the Elite Singles, Doubles and Mixed Relay events—races that served up everything from nail-biting finishes to upsets and no shortage of controversy. Spectators were treated to world-class athleticism, the kind that stirs a crowd to its feet… and sometimes sparks debate.
Away from the limelight, the age group categories reminded everyone what this sport is really about: community, challenge and the thrill of testing your limits.
The adaptive races, closing out Sunday’s programme, offered some of the most powerful moments of the entire four-day festival. Athletes of all abilities left it all out on the course—and inspired every soul in the venue while doing it.
Big City, Big Venue, Big Vibes
Chicago delivered in style. From the glistening backdrop of Lake Michigan to the steel-and-glass skyline, to the post-race deep-dish pizza (a rite of passage, apparently), the city played perfect host.
Navy Pier was buzzing—athletes, fans, families, and a good chunk of Instagram all packed into a venue that sprawled across multiple levels.
The atmosphere? Electric. Athletes and supporters spilt into nearby bars and restaurants to refuel and relive their performances, while sponsor zones, chill-out areas and a well-oiled registration system kept things slick and stress-free. Even the toilets, usually the bane of big events, earned a nod of approval.
Course design stayed true to Hyrox form: a standard oval running loop wrapped around the functional workout zones, with a separate wall ball arena giving the finale its signature sting. But this year, there was a twist—or rather, a trip hazard.
Let’s Talk Sleds…
No review of the Hyrox World Championships would be complete without addressing the elephant—or in this case, the 150kg sled—in the room. In the lead-up, talk circled around the introduction of a new turf surface. Once the racing began, complaints came flooding in.
Athletes reported wildly inconsistent sled times, with some lanes proving dramatically harder than others. “Unusable,” said some. “Wrecked my race,” said others. The difference wasn’t minor—it was enough to derail the months (and in some cases, years) of preparation many had poured into qualifying.
To its credit, Hyrox addressed the issue publicly before the event had even ended. The hope now is that lessons will be learnt, and next season’s courses will be as consistent as they are challenging. Because one thing athletes sign up for is pain—not unpredictability.
One Athlete’s View From the Trenches
I raced both singles and doubles this year—two brutal efforts in just over 24 hours. I’m 49, so no spring chicken, and my singles qualification came late, meaning I landed in Chicago just 15 hours before the start. Not ideal prep.
Knowing the sleds might be carnage, I paced conservatively in the opening rounds. It paid off—wall balls still sucked, obviously—but I crossed the line 31st out of 99 in the Men’s 45–49 category. No PB, but no regrets either.
Then came the doubles with Ian, who’d placed 8th in his own singles race the day before. Legs were sore, lungs were on strike, but somehow we knocked nearly two minutes off our previous best and finished 9th out of 46 in the Men’s 50–59. Not bad for two blokes on the back nine of middle age.
We celebrated in true Hyrox style—with a few beers, some well-earned grub, and a bit of sightseeing before the long flight home.
Looking Ahead to 25/26
Despite the turf drama, changes to rules, and rising demand for race spots, the Hyrox engine is still firing on all cylinders. It’s not just a sport anymore—it’s a movement. One built on sweat, setbacks, and the purest kind of self-improvement.
The Hyrox World Championships showed us just how far the sport has come—and how much potential it still has.
I’ll be back next season. Like thousands of others, I’m hooked.
