SINGAPORE – Running is in Ms Stella Eng’s blood. The 55-year-old has been taking part in half-marathons for two decades. So when she first heard of Hyrox, a race which combines running and several functional fitness movements, she was intrigued.
“It tests all components of fitness, so I thought it was fantastic,” said Ms Eng, a fitness trainer at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. “It combines cardio, strength, endurance, mobility and agility.”
She was among thousands who crossed the finish line at the Hyrox race on Sept 1 at the Singapore Expo as the event expanded into a two-day affair for its third edition in Singapore.
The turnout of 6,185 competitors for the Aug 31 to Sept 1 event was “incredible”, said Hyrox Singapore country manager William Petty. “There are so many athletes this round that have not raced before and it shows that the community is really taking off,” he said.
“I was expecting about half (the number) of the previous event, since it was just two months ago.”
The previous edition held at the National Stadium on June 29 drew 6,500 competitors, the largest showing in a single-day Hyrox event globally, said Mr Petty.
Ms Eng had made her Hyrox debut on that day, clocking 2:06.30 in the women’s open. On her second outing on Sept 1, she slashed that timing by a whopping 40 minutes.
“I paced myself better this time; I think I over-exerted myself the previous race,” said Ms Eng, adding that she strained her iliotibial band – a strip of tissue that runs from the hip to the knee on the outside of the leg – during her first race.
“I was able to make adjustments this time round. I felt a slight strain as I was completing the burpee broad jumps, so I decided to slow down to a jog so I could last the whole race,” she added.
It was not the first rodeo for mixed doubles pair Ollie Wang and Trina Tan, but the duo, both 29, stepped onto the top of the podium for the first time. The pair topped the 16-29 age category for their event.
“We’re ecstatic,” said Ms Tan, a human resources professional. “Initially we aimed to place, but we saw the line-up and there were many strong pairs, so we thought to just finish the race within 1:05:00.”
Mr Wang, a director at Revl Training gym, where they both train, said: “This is the first time we’re pairing up. Our strengths complement each other – she’s better at running and I’m better at the stations.”
The pair’s chemistry shone through during the race, which they completed in 1:04:35, with Mr Wang picking up the slack at the weighted stations, such as the sled pull, while Ms Tan pulled more weight in burpee broad jumps.
“This race has been the most fun and competitive one so far,” said Mr Wang.
Throughout the day, waves of competitors laced up their shoes and headed to the start line as upbeat pop music blared through speakers scattered around the venue.
“Singapore, let me hear you!” cried the emcee, as races were flagged off. Spectators crowded the barricades, cheering and waving handmade placards.
Communications professional Nur Irsyad Abu Bakar, 26, competed in the men’s doubles event with his brother-in-law, Mr Syafiq Azfarkhan, as his family cheered from the sidelines. “When I was running, I saw my mum cheering for me and it really gave me the boost that I needed,” he said. “When I saw my parents, it sparked some excitement and made me determined to not let them see me fail.”
Mr Irsyad, who was competing for the first time, added: “The event is quite novel – you participate just so you can say ‘Oh, I did it’.”
But he added that he would consider racing again and set a timing in mind if he did so.
Mr Petty said he plans to hold two races in Singapore in 2025 – one at the National Stadium in the first half of the year, and the other at the Expo in the latter half.
For Ms Eng, her Hyrox journey has just started. “It’s not going to be my last Hyrox. I’m planning on racing in one every year.
“I just have to keep being disciplined and consistent.”
