The Making of a HYROX Elite
Inside elite athlete Ciaran Parkinson’s rise amid HYROX’s global fitness explosion.
December 16, 2025
HYROX Isn’t Slowing Down- And Elite Athlete Ciaran Parkinson Is Right at the Heart of the Boom
As HYROX continues its explosive rise with no signs of easing up, we caught up with elite competitor Ciaran Parkinson moments before he hit the start line at the London ExCeL. In our conversation, he opened up about the training, mindset, and community that define the sport, offering a rare look into what makes HYROX one of the most uniquely challenging races today.Meet Ciaran Parkinson: One of HYROX’s Most Consistent Elites
Since stepping into the sport in 2022, Ciaran Parkinson has completed 52 races, an extraordinary achievement that has secured his place within the HYROX Elite 15 and earned him recognition as one of the UK’s most respected hybrid athletes. Alongside competing at the highest level, he also coaches others in hybrid fitness, bringing the same discipline he applies to his own training.For Ciaran, success isn’t defined by speed or raw power alone- having a “consistent mindset” is also key, he explains.
“It’s about staying consistent with your training, your nutrition, your recovery. If you can manage that, you’re going to do well.”
Right Before the Race: A Goal Set at the London ExCeL
Just before taking on the London ExCeL course, Ciaran spoke openly about his next major goal in HYROX. “We [Ciaran and his doubles partner Tony Revell] kind of achieved our goal this year,” he explained. “We had the massive goal of trying to get into the Elite 15, which we achieved within the doubles. And we competed in the Hamburg race. We’ve got Melbourne also coming next week, which is going to be cool.”But his focus on race day in London was centered on one critical target: securing a qualifying time that could lock him into next year’s elite competitions. “Our goal right now is to make sure we get our qualifying time to 50 minutes or below,” he said. “We’re hoping to do that in the ExCeL arena- and if we can, then we’ll be in next year’s elite races.”
What unfolded after the interview made the moment even more powerful. Racing with his partner Tony Revell, Ciaran finished with a time of exactly 50:00- hitting the qualification threshold with absolute precision.
Inside the HYROX Phenomenon
HYROX has transformed from a niche fitness challenge into a global movement. Participation numbers are climbing at unprecedented speed. After welcoming 175,000 participants in 2023, the sport is projected to surpass 1.3 million competitors by the end of the 2025/26 season, spread across more than 85 cities and 30 countries. Since its launch in Hamburg in 2017, few sports have expanded as quickly within the functional fitness landscape.A major reason for this explosion is the sport’s inherent shareability. HYROX races deliver intense, cinematic moments- dramatic wall-ball finishes, all-out sprints to the line, and emotional personal-best breakthroughs- which spread rapidly across platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Ciaran credits social media as a central driver of the surge. “The rise of social media has been massive,” he says. “And a lot of gyms are getting on board.”
Equally important is the global network of HYROX-affiliated gyms and influencers who have helped bring the sport to new audiences worldwide. The movement has grown not only because it’s challenging, but because it’s accessible, structured, and easy to train for, no matter where athletes are based.
But perhaps the most defining characteristic of HYROX is its community.
“Everyone wants everyone else to succeed,” Ciaran says. “I’m competing against someone who is racing tonight and he’s already wished me good luck.”
The atmosphere at events, like the recent race at London’s ExCel arena, reflects this spirit. Whether in giant arenas or tightly packed venues with multiple laps, athletes are surrounded by constant encouragement. “You’re always hearing your name in the crowd from someone or another,” he adds. “It’s just a great experience to be part of.”
Finding Purpose Through the Sport
People discover HYROX for countless reasons; curiosity, online inspiration, personal challenges, or a desire to join a supportive community. For Ciaran, the journey began shortly after the birth of his daughter, Monroe. “When she was born, I wanted a purpose for my training,” he shares. “And when we had her, I realized I didn’t have that, so having her made me want to get back into training and competing.”Training for Two Worlds: Where Strength Meets Endurance
HYROX is known for its unique demands, blending endurance racing with strength stations in a way that pushes athletes outside their comfort zones.“Most people come from either a running background or a strength background,” Ciaran explains. “HYROX needs both. Pairing the two together is what brings success.”
Training, however, is only part of the equation. The right gear is equally crucial, especially when competing at the elite level. For the past two years, Ciaran has relied on the Deviate NITRO Elite as his racing shoe of choice. “They’re super lightweight, have great grip for sleds and corners, and they just feel fast,” he says.
A New Era in Hybrid Racing Footwear
Soon, athletes everywhere will be introduced to something entirely new: the Deviate NITRO™ Elite HYROX, the first-ever shoe designed specifically for HYROX racing. This marks a major moment in the global partnership between PUMA and HYROX. The shoe has made its competition debut on PUMA’s elite athletes at HYROX Melbourne, the second of the four Majors in the 2025/26 season, before launching worldwide on 19 February 2026. It represents the next chapter for hybrid athletes- a product developed not just for running, but for the unique demands of sled pushes, sharp turns, and fast transitions that define HYROX.
The sport is accelerating quickly, and athletes like Ciaran Parkinson sit at the forefront of this evolution. With more races, more competitors, and new innovations on the way, HYROX is only getting started.
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