Among the reported 40,000 functional fitness fanatics taking to the floor at the world’s biggest Hyrox to date were over 30 competitors from Upgrade Fitness alone, bolstered by smaller representation from other gyms in the island.
And Upgrade’s Nora Le Tissier and Liz Beausire particularly excelled, producing a standout result in the open women’s doubles.
After 66min. 20sec. of effort across the 8km of running and eight fitness stations, the duo came sixth in the 40-44 age group and 74th overall out of a staggering 3,498 women’s open pairings. They are now ranked 22nd all-time in the world for their age category.
The duo have impressed in local events, including previous hybrid athlete success at the Track Attack and Tornado Race Two, but this marked their first step into contesting Hyrox together.
‘We were really excited to take part in our first Hyrox competition,’ rower Beausire said after joining the current All-Terrain Challenge women’s champion.
‘While we had some experience of similar events back in Guernsey, this was a whole new challenge and we weren’t entirely sure what to expect.
‘It turned out to be an incredible experience, and we’re really proud of how we performed.
‘The support from the entire Upgrade team made a huge difference.
‘We’re already looking forward to competing again next year and working on improving our weaker stations.’
For a show of individual speed, strength and stamina, no one could match James Travers.
The previous World Championships competitor posted 65-58 in the pro men’s solo, a personal best of nearly 3min. from Manchester earlier this year.
That placed him 22nd in the men’s 40-44 age group and 183rd pro overall.
In the same category and age group, but representing his own Storm Force Fitness, Jon Le Tocq lowered his PB at pro level to 78-21.
Not knowing quite what to expect for her first pro women’s solo outing, Kate Collenette impressed by breaking the 75min. barrier.
Upgrade’s head Hyrox coach posted 74-47 for 37th in the 25-29 age group and 112th women’s pro overall.
Guernsey’s next-highest finish at women’s pro level had come from none other than Island Games champion swimmer Orla Rabey, who clocked 85-18.
Meanwhile, Francesca Dunnell and Georgia Currie had a 88-18 in the pro women’s doubles.
Leo Sanders was Upgrade's top competitor in the men’s open, which uses lighter weights than pro level, achieving 100 unbroken wall balls and clocking 71-01. Ruairi Pollins came in 2-06 off that.
The star women’s open competitor was Grace Dovey, who posted 72-39, improving her PB by over 7min. from London last year.
Wing Kin Lai and Wing Kueng Lai joined forces to post 61-53 in the men’s open doubles.
Also among the island’s big women’s doubles contingent, Guernsey 2023 time-trial champion Hannah Brehaut showed her versatility by posting 76-09 with her racing partner, just 21sec. clear of Hannah Pilmanis and Dawn Welsh.
But Pilmanis was not done there, the next day going in the mixed doubles, where she partnered husband Aivars to a 69-31 finish in his first Hyrox.
At the tail of the four-day competition, Collenette joined Dovey, Sanders and Joshua Davies for an impressive sub-hour outing in the mixed relay.
The Upgrade quartet placed in the top 10 U40 teams and 13th overall for the mixed relay after covering the course in 58-44.
‘I am so proud of all our members for showing up, smiling and having fun – and for cheering on and supporting fellow team Upgrade Fitness members,’ Collenette said.
‘Everyone performed so well and we had lots of Hyrox newbies who had so much fun as well as lots of members chasing PBs.’
Helen Watson, who achieved a 7min. PB in the open women’s event, added: ‘I have genuinely loved this weekend, irrespective of a PB – that kind of pales in comparison to the camaraderie and friendship.’
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