HYROX Rundown presented by Race Brain

Chris Bayens joins Race Brain to break down the Bayens Method, HYROX-specific training, HRV and recovery, tempo running, station efficiency, Elite 15 qualification, and what athletes are getting wrong in training.

Plus, we recap the latest HYROX racing and discuss why long-term development—not constantly chasing harder workouts—could be the key to getting faster.

00:08:06 – HYROX race recap: Geneva, Gdansk & rising Elite 15 contenders
00:17:03 – Is the new Elite 15 points system creating a strategy problem?
00:36:00 – The Bayens Method: coaching, athlete development & getting results
00:52:00 – HRV, recovery and why harder training isn’t always better
01:07:01 – The biggest HYROX training mistake athletes are making

5 Timestamp Highlights

Who are the teams to beat in the HYROX Elite 15 Doubles this season? We break down the men’s and women’s fields, rank the top contenders, debate the biggest challengers, and explain why the new points system could make qualifying absolutely brutal. E15 Doubles

00:00 – Elite 15 Doubles preview + weekend HYROX results
18:33 – Men’s Elite 15 Doubles rankings and top contenders
27:27 – Who is the preseason favorite to win?
40:08 – Women’s Elite 15 Doubles: Lauren Weeks & Vivian Tuto vs. the field
50:05 – New qualification system, Challenger races & major season storylines

HYROX World Champion Alyssa McElheny joins Race Brain to break down her rapid rise from elite marathoner to World Champion, the decision to become a full-time athlete, and how she’s approaching the 2026/27 season. She gets into her Worlds victory, the chaotic Beijing race, Adidas shoes, training 60 miles per week, future doubles plans, and why defending the title changes everything.

02:05 — Becoming a full-time HYROX athlete
19:03 — The truth about HYROX shoes, sled grip & race-day footwear
35:29 — How Alyssa McElheny won the HYROX World Championship
50:19 — Beijing chaos: extra laps, bad turf & what went wrong
1:03:36 — Alyssa’s doubles plans & a possible mixed doubles world record attempt

The HYROX men’s field is absolutely loaded. We break down the 2026/27 Elite 15 race, from reigning World Champion Dylan Scott and proven threats Alexander Roncevic, Tim Wenisch, and Hunter McIntyre to rising contenders like Charlie Botterill and Cole Learn. Plus, we reveal our wild cards who could crash the party this season.

• 00:16:11 – Weekend HYROX results & Meg Jacoby’s return
• 00:24:01 – Salt Lake City men: Grayson Kilgore takes the win
• 00:30:00 – HYROX Men’s 2026/27 season preview begins
• 00:32:07 – Dylan Scott, Hunter, Roncevic & the World Championship favorites
• 00:56:10 – Dark horses & breakout athletes to watch this season

The HYROX women’s field is getting ridiculous — in a good way. We break down the Elite 15 favorites, top contenders, comeback stories, rising stars, and the athletes who could shake up the entire 2026/27 season. From Joanna Wietrzyk, Alyssa McElheny and Lauren Weeks to Meg Jacoby, Sinead Bent, Saskia Millard and more, the depth is officially nasty.

07:13 – HYROX D.C. Women’s Race Recap & Rising U.S. Depth
18:00 – Joanna vs. Alyssa in Beijing: What We Learned
21:02 – Current HYROX Elite 15 Women’s Rankings
23:14 – The 4 Favorites to Win This Season
32:43 – Contenders, Breakout Athletes & Dark Horses to Watch

The Race Brain crew tackles the biggest HYROX debates heading into the new season—from Elite 15 qualification predictions and flaws in the new points system to the athletes who could break through, the future of HYROX racing, and whether the Elite 15 should become the Elite 30. Plus, Rich Ryan reveals his upcoming doubles partner and the guys debate what HYROX looks like without Hunter McIntyre.

17:11 – Who Will Qualify for the Elite 15?
24:39 – Problems With the New HYROX Qualification System
29:14 – Should the Elite 15 Become the Elite 30?
42:06 – What Happens to HYROX Without Hunter McIntyre?
54:26 – Are Elite Runners the Future of HYROX?

5 Timestamp Highlights

How well do you actually know HYROX? Race Brain turns the podcast into full-blown HYROX Jeopardy, testing knowledge on world champions, race records, Elite 15 history, major winners, rules, iconic moments, and—because apparently this is necessary—British geography.

Play along and see if you can beat Matt, Marcus, and Michelle. Spoiler: the scoring gets controversial. Very HYROX.

00:10:03 – HYROX Jeopardy begins
00:33:40 – Round 2: Career stats, rules & race moments
00:55:50 – Final round gets brutally difficult
01:09:57 – The infamous British Geography category
01:21:50 – Final Jeopardy: HYROX Major winners

The Race Brain crew answers listener questions on everything HYROX — from the most important race station and Elite 15 qualification to coaching changes, PED rumors, DEKA’s future, doubles pairings, race strategy, and whether HYROX needs tougher elite standards. Plenty of takes. Some better than others.

13:49 – Is the “BBB” HYROX training plan actually elite?
16:00 – Is the sled pull the most important HYROX station?
27:13 – Can DEKA make a comeback in hybrid racing?
43:12 – Should HYROX restructure the Elite 15 season?
48:07 – PED rumors and drug testing in HYROX

Rachael Wade joins Race Brain after an incredible breakout HYROX season, including a 58:53 at the HYROX World Championships. We talk Elite 15 ambitions, making running her weapon again, HYROX race-day nutrition, carb loading, gels, under-fueling, fasted training, and what it really takes to compete at the highest level.Plus: could we see Rachael Wade and Alyssa McElhenney team up for HYROX Doubles? 👀5 Timestamp Highlights00:00 – Meet Rachael Wade: From HYROX Rookie to 58:5309:10 – How to Fuel for a HYROX Race16:29 – The Biggest Nutrition Mistake HYROX Athletes Make22:15 – Fasted Training: Good Idea or Performance Killer?29:07 – Rachael’s Plan to Make Running Her Weapon Again

🔮 The HYROX crystal ball is officially OUT.

Who wins the next HYROX World Championships? Will every world record fall again? Can a Challenger athlete go all the way to the Worlds podium? And are the new “HYROX-specific” shoes actually better… or are brands massively overthinking this?

Matt, Michelle, Bella and Bracken make their boldest HYROX predictions for the season ahead — from new champions and major shakeups to rule changes, racing strategy, shoes, heat management and more.

Drop your boldest HYROX prediction in the comments 👇

#HYROX #HYROX2026 #HYROXWorldChampionships #HybridRacing #FitnessRacing

14:20 – Challenger to Worlds Podium?
21:45 – New HYROX Stars Incoming
26:16 – New World Champions?
47:22 – HYROX Shoes Are Overhyped?
1:03:21 – Will Every World Record Fall?