What It Takes to Crush Hyrox Doubles — Lessons From NYC

This past Sunday, longtime CrossFit Sweat Shop member Mo stepped onto the competition floor in New York City with her daughter Brianna—and together, they competed in their first Hyrox Doubles race.

They didn’t just finish.

They dominated.

Out of 827 women’s teams in their age group, they placed 6th.
Out of all women’s doubles teams, they finished 44th overall.

Oh—and Mo is 57 years old.

Whether you’re a Hyrox athlete, CrossFitter, runner, or someone who’s curious about functional fitness, Mo’s story is worth reading—not just because of what she accomplished, but because of how she trained, how she raced, and what she learned.

What Is Hyrox?

If you’re new to the sport, Hyrox is a global fitness race that combines running with functional strength and conditioning stations. The format looks like this:

• 1,000m run
• Functional station
• 1,000m run
• Next station…
  (Repeated 8 times total)

Participants can compete as individuals (Singles) or as a team of two (Doubles), where the work is split between partners.

Hyrox is gaining popularity fast—especially among CrossFit athletes, obstacle course racers, and endurance enthusiasts. And for good reason: it’s one of the most accessible-yet-brutal fitness tests out there.

From Walnut Creek to NYC: Mo’s Journey to Hyrox

Mo has been a fixture at CrossFit Sweat Shop in Walnut Creek, CA for years. She’s the kind of athlete who doesn’t seek attention—but who consistently shows up, works hard, and lifts up everyone around her (sometimes literally).

The NYC Race Recap: Top 6 in the World

Fast forward to this past weekend: Mo and Brianna took the floor at Hyrox New York City in the Women’s Doubles Division.

Over the course of 8 brutal runs and 8 strength-station segments—including wall balls, sled pushes, sandbag lunges, rowing, and farmer carries—they pushed each other, supported each other, and passed hundreds of teams.

By the end, they had placed:

• 6th out of 827 women in their age group
• 44th overall among all women’s Doubles teams

It was Mo’s first Hyrox.
And she’s 57.

What Mo Learned (That Every Doubles Athlete Should Know)

After the race, I asked Mo what advice she’d give to first-timers or anyone doing Doubles.

Her answer was simple—but hugely helpful:

“Expect the first part of every run to feel way tougher after each station… especially if you’re the one who just finished working right before the run.”

In other words: the transitions are where people get crushed.
Your legs are smoked, your heart rate is spiked, and now you’re supposed to run a fast 1K?

This is especially true in Doubles, where one partner is recovering while the other works. If you go all-out on your station, then immediately start the run, you’ll feel it. Hard.

Mo’s Strategic Takeaway for Doubles Teams

If you’re competing in the Doubles Division, here are three takeaways from Mo and Brianna’s NYC race:

1. Know Your Strengths

Is one of you a stronger runner?
Is the other better at heavy sleds or high-rep wall balls?

Plan your effort accordingly. Let each athlete shine where they’re strongest, and don’t let ego get in the way of performance.

2. Break It Up Smart

Just because a station is “short” doesn’t mean you should try to go unbroken. If you’re leading into a run, leave something in the tank.

You might be better off trading shorter sets or alternating every 10–15 seconds—especially if you’re about to sprint 1,000 meters.

3. Communicate Relentlessly

Hyrox Doubles is a team event.
The best teams don’t just work hard—they work together.

Check in with each other mid-station. Adjust if needed. Have a plan, but stay flexible.

Mo and Brianna’s chemistry on the floor—built through training and trust—was one of their biggest advantages.

What Makes Hyrox Unique (and Why It’s Catching Fire)

More and more athletes are signing up for Hyrox.  I personally know people in Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, and Concord that have participated in a Hyrox event—not just because it’s trendy, but because it fills a unique gap in the fitness space.

It’s a true hybrid race: part endurance, part strength, part strategy.

• For runners, it adds muscle and durability.
• For CrossFitters, it builds aerobic capacity and pacing.
• For everyone, it’s an opportunity to compete, grow, and test yourself against the clock.

You don’t need to be elite. You just need to start.

Hyrox Training for Beginners: How to Get Started

If you’re reading this thinking, “Maybe I could try this…” — the answer is yes, you can.

Here’s how to start:

• Run regularly — intervals and 1,000m repeats are perfect
• Strength train with deadlifts, lunges, wall balls, and farmer carries
• Practice transitions — move from strength to run without resting
• Do partner workouts — practice splitting reps and communicating
• Track your pacing — heart rate training and zone work helps a ton

And most importantly: find a training environment that supports your goals.

Final Thoughts: Age Is Not a Limiter

Mo didn’t succeed at Hyrox because she was younger, faster, or more naturally gifted.

She succeeded because she trained smart, stayed consistent, and believed in what she was capable of—alongside someone she loves and trusts.

If you’re in Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, or Concord, and you’re even thinking about signing up for Hyrox (or just testing yourself in a new way), let Mo’s story be your proof:

You’re not too old.
You’re not too slow.
And you’re not too late to start.

Mo and Brianna started with a goal.
They trained for it.
And last weekend, they finished it—with smiles, medals, and sore legs to show for it.

Awesome job ladies!