HYROX, the globally renowned fitness race, made a powerful debut in Cape Town, delivering a high-energy, record-breaking event that drew in athletes and spectators from across South Africa and beyond.
The event, held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), was the first of its kind in South Africa, marking a significant milestone for fitness culture in the region.
HYROX is an adrenaline-fuelled event that combines functional fitness and endurance, as participants run 1km, followed by 1 functional workout station, repeated eight times.
Participants can compete solo in the HYROX Open or Pro category, share the load with a partner in the HYROX Doubles or Doubles Pro division, or grab three friends and take on the HYROX Relay.
READ MORE | PUMA turns up the intensity with global HYROX partnership
The HYROX hype is real
The event saw 1,483 athletes compete, with participants ranging from elite competitors to fitness enthusiasts and first-timers, with over 2,000 spectators visiting the CTICC to get a taste of HYROX.
The Cape Town race exceeded expectations, breaking previous attendance records for a first-time HYROX event.
The event was also successful on social media, with high engagement by participants and followers of the sport. The official @HYROXSA account on Instagram grew its followers by +69.4% during the month leading up to the event.
READ MORE | PUMA launches new HYROX collection built to enhance performance
Pushing athletes to their limits
The competition featured HYROX’s signature mix of functional fitness challenges, including running, rowing, and endurance strength-based exercises, pushing athletes to their limits.
Event participants were 89% South African residents, with the balance travelling from around the world, the most coming from Europe and the UAE.
HYROX Cape Town saw a near-perfect split between males and females. It had a 99% completion rate with women having a better completion rate than men.
HYROX Doubles and Relays accounted for 59% of all competitors, showing that participants enjoyed sharing the experience with friends and family.
READ MORE | HYROX fever grips SA as inaugural competition gets underway
Rising fitness stars
Top-tier athletes from around the world, including South Africa’s own rising fitness star, Vicky MacIntosh delivering stunning performances.
Vicky (@vixfit_____) took the Women’s individual Pro title with an equally impressive time of 1 hour 5 minutes and 33 seconds, edging out many experienced overseas athletes.
HYROX Cape Town results:
- Pro Men: Jake Dearden (0:56:53)
- Pro Women: Vicky MacIntosh (1:05:33)
- Pro Doubles Men: Estian Ferreira & Daniel Griesel (0:58:28)
- Pro Doubles Women: Danielle Jordaan & Lucinda Bosch (1:13:31)
- Doubles Men: Joe Greenslade-Cross & Chris Moulin-Jones (0:54:29)
- Doubles Women: Selina Eichelbroenner & Christy Nell (1:06:42)
- Doubles Mixed: George Crewe & Danielle Crewe (0:57:57)
- Team Relay Men: Mathew Mbambo, Ryan Evans, Ulrich Van Zyl, Gerhard Bezuidenhout (1:02:26)
- Team Relay Women: Yael Finkel, Ashton Finkel, Reegan Finkel, Brady Finkel (1:13:45)
- Team Relay Mixed: Joe Greenslade-Cross, Imke Salander, Holly Archer, Chris Moulam-Jones (0:56:23)
Iconic location for inaugural event
The success of HYROX Cape Town not only boosted the local fitness community but also created an influx of sports tourism, with international visitors enjoying the city’s iconic sights and hospitality.
HYROX continues its global fitness journey, with Cape Town standing out as a key destination in its expanding international circuit.
“Cape Town has been an incredible host, and the energy here was unmatched. We’re excited about the future of HYROX in Africa and can’t wait to return with even bigger events”, stated Simon Goldsbrough, head of sports at HYROX South Africa.
This has further solidified Cape Town’s position as a premier destination for global sporting events, and sent a message to the corporate community, positioning HYROX as a marquee event that sponsors should align with.
The sponsorship community received unprecedented value through interactive booths and product showcases from leading brands including Puma, Red Bull, Concept2, CENTR, Botthms, Myprotein, Dis-Chem Living Fit, Southern Sun, Mark Seuring Physiotherapy, F45, Ollie Health, SUPERnatural+, and MINI.
Author: Pedro van Gaalen
When he’s not writing about sport or health and fitness, Pedro is probably out training for his next marathon or ultra-marathon. He’s worked as a fitness professional and as a marketing and comms expert. He now combines his passions in his role as managing editor at Fitness magazine.
Leave a Reply