“Things are indeed going quite well,” he admits when asked with a slight grin. “In June I became world champion in my age group in doubles, so together with a partner. And yesterday I ran the world record here.” Unfortunately, he then went wrong like Sven Kramer: Van Herk believed that he was not ready after his eighth and final lap, and ran another lap. “Then the world record was taken off the board again,” says Van Herk. Then, slightly hypothermic: “That’s a shame.”
Eight kilometers, eight exercises
The eighth exercise, the wall balls, is the dreaded conclusion of HYROX: bend your knees with a heavy medicine ball and throw the ball against a target as you go up. Then catch the ball again, crouch down again, and do one hundred repetitions.
HYROX consists of eight such tests, separated by one kilometer of running each time. Running takes place in a large circle that runs along the outer edges of the hall. Within it, equipment and equipment for fitness exercises are located on eight separate areas, ranging from rowing, sled pull (pulling in a heavy sled with weights on it), sled push (pushing the same type of sled) and the aforementioned wall balls.
Low threshold
All in all, no cat pee. Yet it does not only attract seasoned athletes, says Van Herk. “It is accessible, but challenging. That means it is quickly becoming extremely popular.”
Unlike the gym equipment, participants will not easily get bored, according to the ambassador. “A race always turns out differently than you think.” Nevertheless, good preparation can certainly pay off, says the title holder. “Learn the route by heart in advance, so that you know where everything is. And pay attention to your breathing, that will help you stay calm.”
