The fitness world was abuzz as seven-time CrossFit Games champion Tia-Clair Toomey stepped onto the competition floor for her first HYROX race on Sunday afternoon in Melbourne, Australia. Toomey’s participation came shortly after her victory at the Rogue Invitational in Aberdeen, Scotland, four weeks ago.
Toomey, competing alongside her partner James Newbury, delivered a strong debut performance but did not secure first place in her wave or overall. The duo finished third on the day in 55:48, a respectable result for their first attempt in the fastest growing fitness race.
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Context on Performance Times
The fastest mixed doubles time in HYROX history is 50:58, achieved by current HYROX male world champion Alexander Roncevic and his partner Alice Schürer in April of 2024. The second-fastest time of 51:16 was set by HYROX female world champion Meg Jacoby and Ryan Kent 13 months ago in Dallas.
Now let’s have a look at all HYROX doubles performances by previous CrossFit Games athletes.
Kristi O’Connell and Bill Grumke previously held the best time for any doubles team that had either partner at The CrossFit Games, clocking in at 56:36.
Maddie Sturt and Jay Crouch: Finished in 59:36 at HYROX Melbourne alongside Tia and James at the same event.
Mal O’Brien and Cooper Marsh: Completed the race in Houston in March 2024 with a time of 1:00:35.
Emma Lawson and Jack Harlow: Recorded a time of 1:00:37 in Toronto on October 5, 2024. This was good enough to win their age group and qualify them for The World Champs.
Paige Powers and Dalton Rodgers: Achieved a time of 1:19:03 while Powers was seven months pregnant.
In the same-sex doubles division, other notable performances include:
Lucy and Katie McGonigle: The sisters competed at HYROX Dublin in November, finishing the race in 1:12:30.
Chandler Smith competed with Joshua Al-Chamaa back in June in New York and finished in 56:59. Then last week, raced with Jesse Biddle in Anaheim in 56:57.
Chandler’s wife Jessi Smith and her pal Lauren Fisher finished with a 1:05:50 in NYC in June.
Elisa Fuliano and Camilla Massa: This duo topped the women’s doubles leaderboard at HYROX Milan with a time of 1:01:37. Fuliano, a three-time CrossFit Games veteran, teamed up with Massa, a HYROX Elite 15 competitor.
Jason Khalipa and his podcast partner Gabe Yanez competed in Dallas a few weeks ago and finished in 1:07:13. Hear them discuss it in depth on his podcast.
Nick Mathew and Matt Mohr finished in 1:03:33 a few weeks ago in Chicago.
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CrossFit-HYROX Connection?
HYROX continues to attract interest from the CrossFit community, as many athletes look to test their endurance and strength in the hybrid racing format. According to HYROX, there are over 5,000 affiliate gyms worldwide where athletes can train for HYROX public races. Of these affiliates, approximately 22 percent also offer CrossFit classes, per a New York times article. However, CrossFit CEO Andrew Faul expressed skepticism, stating, “I would be surprised if it was that low.”
Conclusion
Toomey’s strong third-place finish demonstrates that even elite CrossFit athletes face a steep learning curve in HYROX competitions. Her debut will most likely spark further interest in the sport, potentially bridging the gap between CrossFit and HYROX as hybrid racing continues to grow globally.
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