The 2024–2025 HYROX season had everything—world records, controversies, underdog stories, and a whole lot of wall balls. And with the World Championships in Chicago closing the curtain, it was only right that we assembled the panel, fired up the mics, and dished out the annual Roxies—the Race Brain version of a year-end awards show.

Spoiler alert: no category was safe from hot takes or hard truths. Here’s your complete recap of who won what and why.

Top Athletes, Races & Moments of the Season

Most Electrifying Race Moment

Winner: Tim Wenisch edging out Hunter McIntyre at the World Championships

In what may go down as the greatest wall-ball battle in HYROX history, Germany’s Tim Wenisch held off a charging Hunter McIntyre in the final station of the World Championships. The tension in Chicago’s Navy Pier was nuclear—each wall ball ratcheting the crowd’s volume until it peaked at a deafening roar.

Hunter closed the gap, going unbroken. Tim broke... then stopped again... and somehow still held on. Two reps separated glory from heartbreak. “There has never been a louder crowd in HYROX history,” Brakken said—and he wasn’t wrong.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Dylan Scott’s "Who the F I Am" moment in Vegas
  • Sinead Bent’s LCQ breakout
  • JK’s near-world-record in Glasgow

🧨 Most Impactful Non-Race Moment

Winner: Meg Jacoby ending her season early due to injury

The defending world champ’s sudden exit from competition shook the women’s field. Her absence was more than a scratch—it was a seismic shift that opened the door for athletes like Linda Meier and Joanna Wietrzyk to step into new roles. “When Meg’s in the race, the entire dynamic changes,” said Michelle. The ripple effect was undeniable.

Other Big Non-Race Moments:

  • HYROX’s controversial timing format changes in January
  • The World Championship sled turf drama
  • The new penalty rule that crowned post-race winners

👑 Female Rookie of the Year

Winner: Joanna Wietrzyk

This was the only unanimous Roxie. Joanna Wietrzyk didn’t just make an entrance—she bulldozed the door down. In her first major, she podiumed. In her second, she won. Then she podiumed again... and again... and again.

“Joanna’s the first rookie we’ve seen actually push Lauren and Meg,” Matt said. She’s not just the future—she’s the now.

🚀 Male Rookie of the Year

Winner: Tom Rodgers

Coming out of seemingly nowhere (read: Australia), Tom Rodgers punched his ticket to the Elite 15 with a blazing LCQ performance. Then, in his elite debut at Worlds, he dropped a 6th-place finish against the deepest field ever. That's called announcing your presence with authority.

“His season was so under the radar, and then he delivered when it mattered,” said Jack Bauer.

📈 Most Improved Male Athlete

Winner: Hidde Weersma

From under-the-radar to undeniable. Hidde went from being a name you butcher to being a legit podium threat. At Worlds, he was the best of the rest for most of the race behind Hunter, Tim, and Dylan—showing poise, grit, and serious gains.

“He’s going to be a problem next season,” said Brakken. And that problem might require some serious solving.

📈 Most Improved Female Athlete

Winner: Linda Meier

Linda didn’t just improve—she made the leap. From 5th at Worlds last year to World Champion this year. From a 1:00:50 PR to a 58:56 masterclass. That jump alone sealed the Roxie.

“No one picked her. Not a single person,” Matt admitted. But she didn’t just sneak the win—she owned it.

🤝 Best Male Duo

Winner: Rich Ryan & Pelayo Menendez

Despite a DNF at Worlds due to injury, Rich and Pelayo’s world-record performance in Miami was so dominant, so clean, and so synergistic, it couldn’t be ignored. “When healthy, they’re the best team in HYROX history,” said Jack.

Bonus points for Rich being part of the Race Brain squad. Just saying.

🤝 Best Female Duo

Winner: Lucy Procter & Sinead Bent (aka "Lucead")

Their name is as iconic as their chemistry. After taking London by storm, they obliterated the field in Chicago—until a 30-second penalty technically dropped them to 2nd. But everyone saw it: they dominated. “You do not want them near you at wall balls,” Jack warned. Noted.

🥇 Male Athlete of the Year

Winner: Tim Wenisch

Controversial? Maybe. Earned? Absolutely.

The German powerhouse took 5th, 2nd, 9th, 2nd at Majors and then won the World Championship. When it mattered most, Tim delivered. “He beat every single big name in one race—Hunter, JK, Roncevic. That means something,” said Matt.

It was close—JK had a consistent season. But in the end, World Champs mean just a little bit more.

🥇 Female Athlete of the Year

Winner: Lauren Weeks

Let’s be honest—this one wasn’t even close.

Lauren went 1st, 2nd, 1st, 1st in the majors, broke both the Pro and Open world records, and took 3rd at Worlds. That’s what a season looks like. “She never finished worse than 3rd and held the standard all year long,” Brakken emphasized.

GOAT talk is done. Lauren cemented her throne.

Final Thoughts: Chaos Incoming in 2025–26

The Roxies wrapped up a season of breakthroughs and beatdowns, but one thing’s clear—next year will be even more chaotic. With the sport growing fast and international fields getting deeper, there are no guarantees anymore.

“You think you know? You don’t know,” Matt said. And honestly, that’s what makes HYROX so addictive.

So if you're new to this space—buckle up. And if you’re already deep in the game, we’ll see you on the floor. Or on the mic.

Don’t miss the next episode. Subscribe to the Race Brain HYROX Rundown Podcast wherever you listen.