Hyrox has become the go-to fitness race for everyday athletes.

Hyrox began in Germany in 2017 and has grown to more than 1.5 million participants across 30 countries, offering races that combine running with functional strength exercises.

When Jessica Thompson entered Hyrox Atlanta last October she felt intimidated by the crowd but found encouragement during the race and finished as an adaptive athlete. Hyrox was created in Germany in 2017 to offer a hybrid competition that mixes running and functional strength movements. The format alternates one-kilometer runs with eight exercises and allows solo, doubles and relay entries. Organizers and participants say the event now draws a wider range of fitness levels and fosters camaraderie. Key details: - Hyrox was founded in Germany in 2017 and was designed as a hybrid of cardio and strength training. - More than 1.5 million people in 30 countries have competed in at least one Hyrox race. - A typical Hyrox race alternates a 1 km run with eight exercises such as sled pushes and pulls, burpee broad jumps, and farmer's carries. - Entrants can compete solo, in doubles, or as relays, and over 15,000 gyms worldwide are official training affiliates. - The New York City event grew from about 15,000 entrants to roughly 50,000 in the last year, and Hyrox holds an invitation-only World Championships for top qualifiers. Summary: Hyrox's structured mix of running and functional movements, along with social media visibility, has broadened its appeal beyond highly trained athletes and contributed to rapid growth and a sense of community among participants. Undetermined at this time.