What is Hyrox and why are thousands of people taking part in the fitness challenge in Glasgow?

It’s game time for thousands of fitness fans who have descended on Glasgow’s SEC to take part in Hyrox.

The extreme fitness challenge combines running with functional workout stations and attracts competitors who travel from around the world to compete.

Each race consists of eight one-kilometre runs punctuated by eight different activities, from skiing and rowing, to sled pushes and burpee broad jumps, before finishing with the dreaded 100 wall balls.

From March 12 to 16, around 19,000 fitness fanatics will arrive in Glasgow to compete – with more than 650,000 worldwide competitors taking part at other host locations in Hong Kong, Amsterdam, and Las Vegas.

Hyrox attracts competitors from around the world. STV News

It’s hoped Hyrox will also bring a significant boost to the city’s hospitality sector as competitors explore Glasgow’s hotels, restaurants, bars, and attractions.

The fitness race, for men and women, is designed as a fun, challenging test of body and mind.

But for others, it has become so much more.

Graham Halliday, who first took part in Hyrox “for a laugh”, will be representing Scotland at the Hyrox World Championships in Chicago.

“It’s like something I’ve never experienced before, it’s like a dream,” he told STV News. “I imagined it, I visualised it, but it was just better.”

Graham Halliday is representing Scotland on the world stage for Hyrox. STV News

“Just for a laugh, me and my mate Kevin just decided to go and do this for a laugh, but it’s taken over our life.”

Whilst Graham competes alone, others can take on the challenge in pairs or as part of a team.

He said: “The best part of the full sport is they’ve got adaptive categories, they’ve got age group categories and anybody can race, no matter how strong you are, how old you are, or however young you are, that’s the best part about it. They even have a kids section. I think that’s amazing. Most sports don’t have that.

“Once I get to Chicago, I’m going to be super excited, it’s going to be one of the biggest parts of my life to be honest.

“I just got involved for a laugh and once I done one, I realised I was actually okay at it, then I started taking it seriously. Last few years I started taking it really serious, now I’m at top of the sport.

“To see what I’m doing, to have a ripple effect for other people, is just amazing.”

For those inspired by the hoards descending on the city for Hyrox, you’d best get training now – there’s just 364 days until the race returns to Glasgow for 2026.