HYROX races 2026/27

HYROX is a standardised fitness race format run to the same rules everywhere in the world. Whoever stands at a station in Cologne will find the exact same sequence in Cape Town or Chicago. That makes the series predictable and comparable, which sets it apart from traditional outdoor obstacle courses.

Format and course

A HYROX race consists of eight one kilometre running legs alternating with eight functional stations. Stations include SkiErg, sled push, sled pull, burpee broad jumps, rowing, farmers carry, sandbag lunges and wall balls. Exact weights and repetition counts differ by division and age group and are set out in the official rulebook, correct as of the 2025/26 season, worth checking before race day.

Stations are usually held indoors, so the race runs regardless of weather and on a predictable surface. Unlike classic OCR series there are no climbing or jumping obstacles, only strength and endurance stations.

Divisions

According to the organiser, HYROX offers the start categories Open, Pro, Doubles, Pro Doubles, Relay and Adaptive, though not every event runs all categories. Open suits beginners, Pro suits ambitious athletes with heavier loads, Doubles and Pro Doubles race in pairs, Relay races as a team, and Adaptive is for athletes with a disability. All divisions are further split into age groups. Which categories are on offer at a given date is correct as of the organiser’s information, worth checking on the official site before entering.

Countries and locations

HYROX is held in a large number of countries. According to the event calendar these include the United States, France, Germany, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Italy, Canada and Brazil, plus locations across Asia, the Middle East and Oceania. Host cities include Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Anaheim, Atlanta, Auckland, Bangkok, Barcelona, Bari, Basel, Bengaluru, Birmingham, Bordeaux, Boston, Brisbane and Budapest. For the current city and format line-up, check the HYROX race finder.

What makes it different

The key difference to outdoor obstacle races is standardisation. Anyone preparing for HYROX can train specifically for the eight stations, because they are identical at every event. That makes planning your training much easier and opens the series up to gym-based athletes who have little experience with terrain running.

Who it suits

HYROX suits anyone who wants to combine endurance with functional strength without dealing with technical obstacles like rope climbs or walls. The Open division is achievable for beginners with a solid base fitness, and anyone already active in strength or endurance sport will settle in quickly. Those who prefer outdoor terrain and natural obstacles are better served by a classic OCR series such as Spartan or XLETIX.

Entry tips

Spots for popular locations often sell out early, so registering through the official site ahead of time pays off. Before booking, check the right division and age group, since weights and requirements differ. If unsure, start in the Open division and build experience there before moving to Pro.

Comparing HYROX to other series

Compared with DEKA, another station based format, HYROX leans more on long running stretches between stations. Compared with terrain based series like Tough Mudder, HYROX lacks the team and adventure feel but scores on comparability and clearly structured training. For a broad overview of all series, see the series overview.

Anyone choosing HYROX can find upcoming events via the race finder or sign up for training and preparation updates, an account is all that takes.