When I signed up for my first HYROX, I asked my parents if they wanted to come and watch me. What began as a simple conversation about finding a weekend that worked for all of us quickly turned into a debate about which European city we should visit. Of course, Hyrox events are hosted in all the major cities—Paris, London, Berlin, New York, Dubai, Singapore. As the sport grew, so did the list of incredible places you could explore.
We eventually settled on Gdansk, a charming town in Poland we’d heard great things about but had never visited. While I ended up winning the Gdansk race, the weekend became about so much more.
We explored the coast and stumbled upon a beautiful beach club, where we recovered in the sun post-event. We wandered the quaint streets, learned about Gdansk’s pivotal role in various historical events, and indulged in delicious local cuisine.
Since then, we’ve kept the tradition alive—using race weekends as an excuse to explore new places. Just two weeks ago, I took two friends and my mum to watch me race in Vienna. We turned it into a girls’ weekend, complete with palace visits, the famous Sacher cake at Hotel Sacher, and even some wildly experimental food just days before race day.
For my upcoming race in Barcelona, both my parents are joining again, and I’ll be staying with a close friend—with a beach day definitely on the agenda.
Having lived abroad and split my time between the UK and the Middle East, I consider myself a pretty seasoned traveler. So when I got the chance to write about how to make the most of HYROX race weekends, I jumped at it. Here are my top tips:
1. Go for the Random Ones!
Riga, Latvia. Heerenveen, Netherlands. Poznań, Poland.
These lesser-known cities are often significantly cheaper and full of surprises. For instance, Heerenveen is renowned for speed skating! If you’re feeling adventurous, Sharjah in the UAE is hosting its first HYROX this month, and Incheon in South Korea has just been added to the calendar too.
2. Make It a Way to See Old Friends
As we get older, it becomes harder to keep up with friends—especially those who’ve moved away. Use Hyrox Paris to visit an old friend (and maybe save on a hotel), or race in Barcelona like I’m doing next month to catch up with someone you rarely see.
3. Take the Friday Off
You really don’t want to be traveling the day before your race. Long plane or train rides can drain you. Arriving early gives you time to acclimatize and ensure you’re well-rested.
4. Don’t Walk Too Much the Day Before
It’s tempting to explore every corner of a new city, but try to keep your legs fresh. Save the intense sightseeing for after the race or a few days before. A gentle stroll is fine, but don’t overdo it.
5. Plan Your Pre-Race Meal
While I love experimenting with food and never count macros or calories, I keep things simple the night before a race. Book a restaurant in advance to avoid late-night stress, and stick to what you know works for your body.
6. Bring Your Go-To Race Essentials
I once spent hours hunting for gels in Poland and ended up settling on Starbursts. If you have specific electrolytes, gels, or other race-day items you swear by, just pack them ahead of time.
7. Get the Best Bang for Your Buck
Avoid race weekends that fall on bank holidays to dodge inflated travel costs. Don’t wait until the last minute to book, and use those air miles when you can!
8. Choose a Sleep-Friendly Hotel
Sleep is crucial before a race. Avoid accommodations in noisy areas full of nightlife. I’m particular about pillows, so I always call ahead to request a firmer one for better rest.
9. Make It Fun
Not every race will go to plan—but that doesn’t mean your weekend can’t be memorable. Bring friends or family, plan a post-race meal, and focus on enjoying the entire experience, not just your performance.
