HYROX, the globally renowned fitness race, made a powerful debut in Johannesburg, delivering a high-energy, record-breaking event that drew in athletes and spectators from across South Africa and beyond.
The event, held at the Johannesburg Expo Centre on 1 March 2025, was the second HYROX event in South Africa, following the successful inaugural event in Cape Town last September.
READ MORE | HYROX rocks Cape Town at inaugural fitness competition
Noteworthy expansion
It signifies a noteworthy expansion of the sport in the region, further boosting the growth and vibrancy of the sports industry in South Africa.
The event saw 4,300 athletes enter for HYROX Johannesburg, almost three times the number of participants compared to HYROX Cape Town last year.
Participants ranged from elite competitors to fitness enthusiasts and first timers, marking a sold-out event for both spectators and athletes.
The competition featured HYROX’s signature mix of functional fitness challenges, including running, rowing, and endurance strength-based exercises, pushing athletes to their limits.
The Johannesburg event exceeded expectations, marking a notable achievement as the second highest HYROX event globally in terms of elevation, which added an extra layer of challenge for competitors.
The energy at HYROX Johannesburg also skyrocketed because of the overwhelming show of support from spectators, with over 7,000 attendees joining in on the action.
This remarkable turnout underscored the event’s popularity and highlighted the crucial role spectators play in motivating athletes.
HYROX Brand Innovation Summit
Just days before the HYROX Johannesburg event, HYROX South Africa hosted its first Brand Innovation Summit on 27 February 2025.
This summit brought together media, athletes, influencers, brands, and partners to discuss innovative strategies in sports marketing and explore how HYROX is shaping the future of fitness in South Africa and globally.
The event provided a unique platform for networking and collaboration among industry leaders, further solidifying HYROX’s position as a leader in the fitness racing industry.
The event was also successful on social media, with high engagement by participants and followers of the sport.
The official @HYROXSA account on Instagram recorded an increase of over 230% in profile visits in the month leading up to the event.Competition stats
Event participants were roughly 4,000 South African residents with the balance traveling from all over the world, including Botswana, Namibia, Ghana, and Kenya.
HYROX Johannesburg had a gender split of 54% females to 46% males. It had a 99.5% completion rate with women having a better completion rate than men. HYROX Doubles and Relays accounted for 75% of all competitors showing that participants enjoyed sharing the experience with friends and family.
South Africa’s rising fitness stars delivered stunning performances. Kyle Schoonbee (RSA) clinched first place in the Men’s Pro division, finishing with a time of 1 hour 4 minutes 09 seconds.
Danél Louw (RSA), took the Women’s Pro title with an equally impressive time of 1 hour 08 minutes and 34 seconds.
In the Mixed Doubles division, HYROX South Africa ambassador, Vicky MacIntosh and her racing partner, Wesley Henning, took first place in a time of 1 hour and 50 seconds.
READ MORE | HYROX SA champ Vicky MacIntosh is ready to take on the world!
Local showcase
The success of HYROX Johannesburg significantly boosted the local fitness community, highlighting the city’s potential as a host for major sporting events.
While it may not have drawn a large number of international athletes, the event underscored Johannesburg’s ability to support and grow the sports industry locally.
This achievement positions HYROX as a key event for sponsors and enthusiasts alike, contributing to the broader development of the sports sector in South Africa.
The sponsorship community received unprecedented value through interactive booths and product showcases which included: Red Bull, PUMA, Concept2, CENTR, Myprotein, Dis-Chem, Southern Sun, F45, Hyperice, The Skinny Food Co., BC Chiropractic and MINI.
“We are grateful for the unwavering support of our partners, whose collaboration has been instrumental in making HYROX Johannesburg a resounding success. Their commitment to enhancing the fitness landscape in South Africa aligns perfectly with our vision. We would also like to extend our deepest appreciation to all the participants and spectators who joined us, bringing their enthusiasm and energy to the event,” says Simon Goldsbrough, HYROX Race Director.
“We are thrilled with the reception in Johannesburg and look forward to continuing our growth across the country and continent. Johannesburg has proven itself as a vibrant host city, and we are excited to build on this momentum, bringing even more dynamic events to the region in the future.”
Following the enormous success of the Johannesburg, HYROX has announced plans for more event in South Africa in 2025.
For more information, visit the HYROX website or contact Corlia Meyer.
