A RISING Stratford HYROX athlete is putting the fast-growing fitness race on the map, breaking the British solo record just three years into his journey.
Sam Craig achieved the record-breaking performance time of 53:59 at the HYROX event at Birmingham’s NEC recently – which attracted more than 27,000 athletes across the weekend.
HYROX combines eight 1km runs with eight functional workout stations, creating a mass-participation fitness race suitable for beginners through to elite competitors. The sport has grown rapidly across the UK, with demand rising for group classes and structured training.
The 34 year-old trains exclusively at Stratford Leisure Centre, which is run by leisure operator Everyone Active on behalf of Stratford District Council, and has been part of the organisation’s Sporting Champions scheme for two years.
It is a programme designed to help promising athletes access training facilities, mentoring and ongoing support as they progress in their chosen sport.
Sam’s achievement marks one of the fastest HYROX Open times ever recorded globally, despite the category being open to athletes of all levels. His time ranks as the eighth-fastest Open result worldwide.
Sam, a father-of-one, said: “I’m not naturally gifted at sport. I grew up and enjoyed playing sports, games and swimming, but was terrible at athletics. HYROX was something I tried in 2022 and it’s honestly been such a transformative part of my life. It’s incredibly accessible, the community is brilliant and anyone can give it a go.”
Before discovering HYROX, Sam worked as a full-time musician and found his way into triathlon where he built a strong fitness level. After time out during Covid, he sought a new challenge and found HYROX just as the sport was emerging in the UK.
Sam added: “I’m six foot two so a bigger guy for endurance sports and often carry a bit of weight or certainly have done for a lot of my life. With HYROX, I thought it looked a bit of fun for someone that can do some running and likes going to the gym. I dived in without really knowing anything about it or having done any proper training for it and had a go.
“I’ve been working away at it for about three years now and to be honest, it’s just been consistency. It really is the sport that returns for people who are willing to show up and put in the work daily.”
