HYROX Chicago 2026
The Midwest Major returns to Chicago. McCormick Place has hosted HYROX since the US expansion. Below: race format, divisions, prep plan, station strategy, and Chicago training resources.
Date and venue last checked 2026-05-05. hyrox.com — Confirm at hyrox.com before booking travel.
Race format
HYROX Chicago follows the standard global format: 8 × 1km runs interspersed with 8 fixed workout stations. McCormick's exhibit halls give the run loop more straightaway than European Majors, which generally means slightly faster run splits at equivalent effort.
The eight stations, in order:
- SkiErg A vertical ergometer simulating cross-country ski double-poling. Station 1: 1,000m for all divisions. : 1,000m
- sled push Athlete pushes a weighted sled across an indoor track. Station 2: 50m total (4 × 12.5m) at division-specific weight. : 50m
- sled pull Hand-over-hand rope pull dragging a weighted sled toward the athlete. Station 3: 50m total (4 × 12.5m) at division-specific weight. : 50m
- burpee broad jump A burpee combined with a forward broad jump, repeated to cover 80m. Station 4. Heart-rate spike point of the race. : 80m
- RowErg A horizontal Concept2 rowing ergometer. Station 5: 1,000m for all divisions. : 1,000m
- farmer's carry A two-handed loaded carry with kettlebells. Station 6: 200m at division weight (32kg/hand for Pro Men). : 200m
- sandbag lunge Walking lunges with a sandbag on the upper back. Station 7: 100m. Quad-burner; rear knee must touch each rep. : 100m
- wall ball Front squat into vertical throw at a target on the wall. Station 8: 75 (women) or 100 (men) reps. The most-feared station. : 75-100 reps
12 weeks.
Engineered for Chicago.
For a sub-1:30 Open finish or sub-1:00 Pro, start the race-specific block 12 weeks before race day. Once Chicago 2026 confirms its date, count back 12 weeks to set your taper.
Chicago training venues
HYROX-grade equipment (sleds, SkiErg, RowErg, sandbags) is available at a handful of Chicago gyms. Directory:
- HYROX-Affiliated Gym 1 · Loop · drop-in available · sled track
- HYROX-Affiliated Gym 2 · Wicker Park · membership only · full station setup
- Local CrossFit Box A · Lincoln Park · open gym hours · partial setup
- Coming Wave 1: 50 vetted Chicago gyms in the directory
Station strategy: Chicago-specific
McCormick's hall layout typically gives Chicago a longer run leg between stations than Anaheim or Las Vegas. Pacing rules for the venue:
- Bank time on the runs: the longer run loop rewards aerobic athletes. Don't blow up stations 1-3 trying to make up time. The floor will give it back.
- Wall ball ceiling: McCormick's lighting is uniform overhead with no shadow lines, which makes target acquisition easier than dimmer European venues. Settle into a steady cadence.
- Cool indoor temps: Chicago's hall temperatures are often 16-18 °C in late fall. Warm up longer than you would in a Florida or Texas event.