There has been a massive shift in how we travel over the past few years. Instead of spending solely on leisure or material souvenirs, people are increasingly collecting experiences. They are booking marathons in Tokyo, flying to California for CrossFit competitions, and now, traveling across the world for HYROX races.
Why? Because people are realizing that fitness, memories, and community are investments that pay lifetime dividends. These experiences stay with you long after the trip is over. Recently, I became one of those people—all because of HYROX.
What exactly is HYROX?
Founded in Germany in 2017, HYROX is a rapidly growing indoor fitness race that combines 8 kilometers of running with 8 functional workout stations.
One of the things that makes it uniquely accessible is that there is no cut-off time, allowing everyday fitness enthusiasts to race alongside elite athletes at their own pace.
Today, HYROX events pack out stadiums in more than 30 cities worldwide, from New York and Berlin to Seoul, Beijing, and Singapore. Racers can choose their own adventure across four categories: Open, Pro, Doubles, and Relay.
My own HYROX journey began in January when I registered for my first-ever race in Incheon, South Korea, scheduled for the third weekend of May. To prepare, I joined FitDailyPH, an official, accredited HYROX Training Club based in Metro Manila.
I’ll be honest: one of the primary reasons I chose the Incheon race was because it gave me a perfect excuse to spend a few days on vacation in Seoul afterward.
The months leading up to race day were an incredible journey. What I appreciated most about FitDailyPH’s training program was its scalability; the workouts could be tailored to any fitness level. Our coaches closely monitored our progress, and week by week, you could physically feel yourself becoming stronger and more confident.
What impressed me even more was how the programming seemed designed to intentionally over-prepare us. The workouts pushed us well beyond the fatigue thresholds we would eventually face during the race, making the actual event feel entirely manageable.
By blending heavy strength training, conditioning, and intense cardio, the gym built a bulletproof foundation for what was to come.
But the physical training was only half the equation. The community played an equally vital role. In a sport that can easily feel intimidating, everyone encouraged one another, celebrated progress, and pushed each other to dig deeper. Looking back, that collective energy was the main reason I felt completely ready when race week finally arrived.
Together with more than 30 members of our training club, I boarded a flight to Incheon, ready to take on the unknown.
The Fitness Festival
The race was held at the massive Songdo Convensia, and simply stepping into the venue was a sensory overload. More than 15,000 participants competed over the weekend, flanked by an army of friends, family, and spectators who came to roar them on. Everywhere you looked, the energy was electric.
Crowds lined the barriers, cheering as racers pushed heavy sleds through the carpeted arenas. Spectators sprinted from one zone to another, desperate to catch a glimpse of their loved ones. The DJ blasted high-tempo music through the rafters while the emcee constantly called out finishers crossing the line.
With merchandise booths, sponsor activations, recovery zones, and photo walls scattered across the hall, it felt less like a grueling race and more like a massive fitness festival. My seasoned friends assured me that this intoxicating atmosphere is consistent wherever HYROX goes globally.
The Ultimate Pivot: Going Solo
Originally, I was registered to compete in the Men’s Doubles division. Unfortunately, due to unexpected documentation issues, my partner couldn’t make the trip. Thankfully—or perhaps unthankfully—the organizers allowed a last-minute transfer to the Men’s Open Solo division. I was already in South Korea, so I figured I might as well lace up my shoes and earn that finisher patch.
My anxiety immediately shot through the roof.
For four months, I had been mentally preparing for a tag-team effort. Suddenly, I was facing the beast entirely alone. In Doubles, you split the workload; in Solo, every single meter run and every grueling station belongs to you alone.
Hearing the news, the entire FitDailyPH crew immediately rallied around me. They shared pacing strategies, coached me on transition times, and talked me through the psychological demands of an Open Solo race.
When my wave finally stepped into the starting corral, that support didn’t waver. Total strangers encouraged one another on the running track, and my gym crew followed me from station to station, screaming my name over the roar of the crowd. That shared lifting of spirit made all the difference. Through the burning lungs and the heavy carries, I kept moving—and I crossed that finish line.
After the race, I happily returned to being a regular tourist in South Korea, albeit one with an incredibly sore body for the next few days.
Looking back, my HYROX debut was so much more than a sporting event. It was four months of structured discipline, a tight-knit new community, an international adventure, and a powerful reminder of what happens when you step entirely outside your comfort zone.
Now, I completely understand why people cross oceans for these events. HYROX wasn’t just a race; it was a goal established, a journey respected, and a memory hard-earned. In a world where people are increasingly collecting moments instead of things, I suppose HYROX just became my favorite new passport stamp.
