The first ever HYROX Major went down on November 11, 2023, at Navy Pier in Chicago. For men and women, the Elite race consisted of five auto-qualified athletes from last season and the next fastest times of the calendar year 2023 to fill out the remaining spots. Both races were completed with a grid format.

Elite 15 Men

After qualifying just two weeks before the race Rylan Schadegg looked eager to prove he belonged as he took the lead early on the first run. However, Alex Roncevic would emerge first out of the ski and these two would continue a back-and-forth battle most of the day. 

With a strong sled push, Ryan Kent quickly moved from 4th place into the lead. There was no looking back for Kent as he maintained this lead to the end. He finished with a huge PR of 55:12. This makes him the second-fastest male HYROX athlete ever. 

Along with Kent; Schadegg and Roncevic quickly separated themselves from the rest of the field. The podium was established but the fight for 2nd and 3rd remained. In the end, Rylan’s running ability won out as he took 2nd with a time of 55:46 to Roncevic’s 56:41. All three of these men became the first to qualify for the World Championships.

There was still something to race for though. Since both Kent and Roncevic were auto-qualified for the remaining Majors whoever took the 4th and 5th spot would get their Majors spot for the rest of the season. Surprisingly, these two spots went to the last two qualifiers. Pelayo Menendez was notified he made the race just days prior but showed he belonged with a strong time of 57:31 for 4th place. After a disappointing season debut, Rich Ryan made a huge comeback and finished with the 5th place spot in a PR of 58:48. 

1. Ryan Kent- 55:12
2. Rylan Schadegg- 55:46
3. Alexander Roncevic- 56:41
4. Pelayo Menendez Fernandez- 57:31
5. Rich Ryan- 58:48
6. James Kelly- 59:12
7. Tim Wenisch- 59:44
8. Dylan Scott- 59:51
9. David Magida- 1:00:30
10. Eugenio Bianchi- 1:00:53
11. Graham Halliday – 1:01:23
12. Jonathon Wynn- 1:02:28
13. Beau Wills- 1:03:18
14. Alfons Deu- 1:03:31
15. Peter Schiller- 1:06:51

Elite 15 Women

Many assumed that the women’s race would be a showdown between Lauren Weeks and Meg Jacoby for the top spot and they did not disappoint. As we often see, Weeks came out hard and took the lead early. However, Jacoby always stayed within striking distance. After entering the Sled Pull simultaneously Jacoby was able to leave with the lead. She maintained it until the end finishing with a time of 1:00:18. Weeks faded slightly but still finished with a great time of 1:02:15 for 2nd.

With the top two spots settled the race was on for the final World Champ qualifying spot. Vivian Tafuto sat in 3rd most of the day but was closely followed by Linda Meier, Camilla Massa and Viola Oberlander. Meier was able to gain 20 seconds on Tafuto in the final run and they picked up the Wall Ball at the same time. Tafuto was the first to break and Meier capitalized taking the 3rd place spot in 1:03:56 just ahead of Tafuto in 1:04:22. 

Camilla Massa was able to hold off a charging Rebecca Mason for the 5th place spot with a time of 1:05:12. With that finish she will also be auto-qualified for all of the remaining Majors. 

1. Meg Jacoby- 1:00:18
2. Lauren Weeks- 1:02:15
3. Linda Meier- 1:03:56
4. Vivian Tafuto- 1:04:22
5. Camilla Massa- 1:05:12
6. Rebecca Mason- 1:05:22
7. Viola Oberlander- 1:05:56
8. Alina Willnow- 1:06:04
9. Terra Jackson- 1:06:32
10. Zara Piergianni- 1:07:33
11. Kate Davey- 1:08:51
12. Maria Fecik- 1:08:58
13. Daniela Couto- 1:11:05
14. Alandra Greenlee- 1:12:41
15. Carolina Silva- 1:19:12

The next HYROX Major will take place in Stockholm, Sweden on December 2nd, 2023. The last chance for athletes to qualify for this race will be the weekend of November 18th at the races in Barcelona, Dallas, and Hamburg.