CROSS-TRAINING
HYROX Highlight !
Saturday 21st September 2024 must go down as one of my favourite days ever ! HYROX Cape Town did not disappoint , and I met the most incredible bunch of people and friendliest sporting community that I have ever had the privilege of being part of . – BY CAMERON CLEAVER
For a first-time event on African soil , the organisation of HYROX Cape Town was exceptional , with the process from registration to racing slick and smooth , and the HYROX vibe was just next level . HYROX was making a powerful debut in Cape Town , with record-breaking athlete and spectator turnout in a high energy atmosphere . The Cape Town International Convention Centre saw 1483 athletes competing , from beginners to elite athletes , and over 2000 spectators following their athletes around the course and losing their voices in the process .
The signature HYROX format of mixed functional fitness challenges were laid down for the athletes comprising of eight running stations and eight functional fitness stations , from pushing to pulling , rowing to skiing , jumping to throwing . The event was all kinds of electric ! The race in Cape Town smashed previous attendance records for a first time HYROX event .
Not Quite in Top Shape
Personally , this event was a range of emotions leading up to the big day . Having missed out on my two races in Cologne and Berlin in late April due to illness , the last four months had been a rollercoaster of health issues and hurdles , and needless to say , the fitness wasn ’ t anywhere close to where I wanted to be . I had only run fives times in four months ! As a result , two weeks before the event , I made the decision to pull out of the Men ’ s Pro Singles , and join Matt Halfhill from Austin , Texas in the Men ’ s Doubles ( where we would share the workload on the functional stations , but still run the full distance together ).
Matt is an extremely strong runner , and I knew it was going to be a hard day at the office , because time-wise in a HYROX race for competitive athletes , running comprises two thirds of your race time . Well , Matt dragged me around the course like a Rottweiler taking its owner for a run , and there were so many times I questioned my sanity in taking this on with my fitness levels being sub-par . Thankfully , the support was immense , and every running lap , I high-fived my boys , Cole and Mace , and they kept me going . a long day of racing , supporting and commentating , but just over an hour later , I crossed the line with my teammates for a fourth overall and third South African team home .
Absolutely Worth It
Two days later , I couldn ’ t walk , but I left HYROX Cape Town with a million memories , new friendships , a sporting obsession and a place of responsibility in a community of like-minded fitness enthusiasts . I cannot wait for HYROX Joburg and Durban next year , and until then , it ’ s back to training and building for more racing , becoming a better runner and athlete , and World Champs in Chicago in June 2025 .
Crossing the finish line to win the Men ’ s Doubles age group was such an incredible moment , as was standing on the top step of the podium some 23 years after giving up competitive sport . Ten hours later , I lined up alongside Jo , Menzi and Lida for a final shootout in the fast-paced and organised chaos that is the Mixed Relay . All of us were fatigued from
Cameron Cleaver is a HYROX brand ambassador and regular contributor to Modern Athlete .
Images : Kevin Sawyer , Sportograf
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