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Recently, StarFit founder and coach Misha Prygunov took on his first HYROX race. Spoiler: it nearly broke him — and he loved every second of it.
What is HYROX?
HYROX is a hybrid competition combining endurance running with functional strength movements — think CrossFit meets a marathon, but more structured and race-oriented.
HYROX is not an acronym — it’s a brand name created specifically for a global fitness racing format. The name was designed to be unique, memorable, and international, much like Spartan Race or Ironman.
There is no official breakdown of the word (e.g., what each letter stands for). However, in the fitness community, people sometimes play with the sound of the name:
"HY" is often associated with high-intensity
"ROX" sounds like rocks (slang for something intense or awesome)
The format?
8 × 1K runs
8 functional workouts in between
You’ll push sleds, row, slam medicine balls, do burpee broad jumps, and haul sandbags — all while tracking your time down to the second with a professional race chip.
You can sign up as:
Solo (Open or Pro)
Doubles (you and a partner share the workout load)
Relay (a team of four splits the full race)
And the best part? It’s the same setup worldwide — whether you’re racing in Miami or Milan, your results are comparable.
Enter: Misha and his HYROX debut
In his video “My First HYROX: Brutal But Worth It”, Misha talks about competing in the Men’s Doubles division with his teammate Andrey.
They trained in Dubai, found each other through a shared love of functional fitness, and signed up almost on a whim.
Here’s what stood out from their race:
What they faced
Sled Push (152 kg / 335 lbs) – “Our legs were shaking after every 10 meters.”
SkiErg and Rowing (1,000 meters each) – “You get just enough rest to make it worse.”
Farmers Carry (2 × 24 kg kettlebells) – “Weirdly satisfying — like you’re flying once you drop the weights.”
Lunges with Sandbag (20 kg) – “The rule is: don’t drop the bag. It gets real technical, real quick.”
Wall Balls (100 reps) – “The last station. All heart and lungs.”
Finish Time: 1:11:51
8th place in age group (40–49)
And no penalties — thanks to consistent prep and strategy.
How CRACE compares
For those new to the fitness race scene, CRACE is a smaller-scale race format popular in Eastern Europe. It’s often used as an entry point for beginners:
Shorter runs (400–800 meters)
Simplified workouts
Lower entry threshold
No standardized international leaderboard (yet)
CRACE is a brand name, not an acronym — it doesn't have an official breakdown.
However, within the community, people often interpret it informally as a blend of:
C — possibly standing for Challenge, Community, or Cross
RACE — clearly referencing the competitive format
So, CRACE = a new kind of race, designed to be accessible, dynamic, and community-driven.
Feature | HYROX | CRACE |
|---|---|---|
Race Length | 8K + 8 stations | ~3–5K + 5–6 simplified stations |
Intensity | High, competitive | Medium, accessible |
Global Ranking | Yes | No |
Training Value | High (structured progression) | Introductory, great for first timers |
Why it’s worth it (even if you’re not a pro)
Misha admits it: he’s not a marathoner. But the energy, the crowd, the structure — it pulled him in.
He’s already signed up for his next HYROX in Hong Kong, solo, in the Pro division. Just to test his limits.
Here’s what stood out for him:
It’s inclusive — people of all fitness levels were racing side by side
It’s motivating — being timed, challenged, and cheered on lights a fire
It’s scalable — you can train specifically for this, with clear benchmarks
It’s addictive — “We crossed the finish line and said: we want more”
Final thoughts: it’s not about winning — it’s about showing up
You don’t have to be fast. You don’t have to be shredded. You just have to start.
Whether you try HYROX, CRACE, or any other functional race format, one thing’s for sure: it’s a reminder of what your body can do — and what your mind can push through.
