The first Major of the HYROX season in Hamburg featured many familiar names, as few qualifying events had taken place beforehand. Now, with just under two months until the Melbourne Major, we enter the heart of the qualification window. Between now and the November 21st cutoff (with ambiguity around whether races that weekend count), nine more events remain.

Let’s take a look at how the Elite 15 field may shift.

Men’s Field Overview

Likely In:

  • Richard Hynek – Strong Hamburg Major debut moves him to 11th overall after previously getting in via roll-down
  • Emilio Aguayo – Also improved in Hamburg and now sits in 14th.
  • Charlie Botterill – His 54:49 in Gdansk vaulted him from unranked to 16th. If he betters his 57:47 second time, he could move even higher.

Rising:

  • Marc Dean – Currently 21st with a 56:36 average.
  • Fabian Eisenlauer – Hamburg Pro Race champ (55:43), now in 22nd.
  • Cole Learn – Clocked a 55:30 in Boston, now 23rd. If he improves on his second time of 57:56, he’ll move up fast.
  • Krystian Poremba – Second in Gdansk with 55:59 but still needs a second time.

Dropping:

  • Sean Noble – Falls to 19th with his Dublin PR dropping off.
  • Jannik Czapla – Made Hamburg via roll down, now 25th.
  • Graham Halliday – After a 10th place finish at World Champs in Chicago, now sitting 29th.

Women’s Field Overview

Likely In:

  • Manuela García Caparrós – 61:11 in Hamburg, now 12th.
  • Gabrielle Nikora Baker – Blistering 60:54 in Boston puts her in 13th.
  • Tanja Stroschneider – Her 62:07 PR gives her a shot at a roll down in 16th.
  • Vicky MacIntosh – Back-to-back races in Hamburg and Geneva have her sitting in 17th.

Rising:

  • Gloria Corbetta – Age Group champ from Chicago, currently 18th.
  • Viola Oberlander – Fighting back from a down year, now 20th.
  • Carolyn Watkins – Best time of 61:33, a faster second race could push her up.
  • Sophia Wayne Parvizi – 61:40 in Hamburg moves her from unranked into 25th.

Dropping:

  • Ida Mathilde Rubens Steensgaard – Two expiring top times drop her to 28th.
  • Lauren Griffith – With her fastest times from last season dropping off she will need to reestablish herself among the Elites

Given the long travel to Australia, expect a deeper-than-usual roll down for Melbourne — and potentially some new faces in the Elite 15.

Performers of the Week

  • Charlie Botterill – His 54:49 in Gdansk is now the 7th fastest Pro Men’s time in HYROX history.
  • Elli Stenfors – The Finnish athlete ran 61:39 in Geneva in just her 4th career race — and her first of the season. One to watch.

Where’s HYROX This Weekend?

Just one event on the calendar: a 3-day race in Valencia.

Men’s Pro Start List Highlights:

  • Jon Wynn
  • Tomas Tvrdik
  • Charlie Botterill
  • Ryan Hogan
  • David Parkin
  • Luis Garcia Rubio
  • Roberto Viciedo Gimeno

Women’s Pro Start List Highlights:

  • Lena Putters
  • Tanja Stroschneider
  • Manuela Garcia Caparrós

Women’s Pro Doubles:

  • Manuela Garcia Caparrós & Seka Arning

In Case You Missed It

On the podcast, Matt, Jack, and Michelle debated which athletes could break out this season. (Jack brought all the stats, as usual.)

Dylan Scott appeared on the Keep Chasing podcast, reflecting on his life changes after his massive Hamburg performance.

Finally, an article highlighting Mintra Tilly, one of the most instrumental behind-the-scenes figures in the HYROX journey. Worth a read to understand how the race has evolved.

That’s it for this week.
If you haven’t subscribed yet — now’s the time.
Stay tuned. Stay smart. Stay Race Brain.