Hope Spalding doing sandbag lunges with Tim Van Leishout in support.
It is one of the newest fitness challenges that is gaining popularity around the world, and Deni was well represented when the HYROX Melbourne 2025 was held from December 11-15.
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Known as ‘fitness racing’, HYROX sees multiple fitness exercises combined into a race format.
This year, 24,000 people took part.
Deniliquin’s participants were connected with Motiv8 Health & Fitness Centre, which became a HYROX affiliated gym in December 2024.
Motiv8 owner and HYROX Melbourne 2025 competitor Hope Spalding said the goal was to increase member participation in classes ahead of the planned race in Melbourne.
Spalding explained the format, which involves alternating between completing a 1km run and eight exercises.
“It is the indoor fitness race that everyone is talking about,” she said.
“It consists of eight 1km runs, broken up with an exercise in between each of them - a 1km SkiErg, 50m sled push, 50m sled pull, 80m burpee broad jumps, 1km rower, 200m farmer's carry, 200m sandbag lunges and 100 wall balls.”
Spalding said the weekend was “full on” with Deniliquin athletes competing each day, as well as some additional Melbourne activities for the team.
On Thursday, the Deni group had two pairs race in ladies doubles.
Motiv8 coaches Maddie Charlton and Monty Jones teamed up and finished with an incredible time of 1:14:48 - 15 minutes under their goal.
The other team was Sarah Nihill and Shell (surname not provided at request of competitor), who finished with a time of 1:32:45.
Spalding said it was a brilliant result considering Shell was unable to train consistently for five months due to illness.
On Friday, Jarryd ‘Sparky’ Pearce - the only solo racer for the weekend from the group - finished with a time of 1:27:40.
In the mixed doubles' competition, Spalding teamed up with Tim Van Leishout and both beat their personal goals, finishing in 1:27:01.
Liz and Chris Sutton smashed it with a time of 1:30:12, just outside their goal of 1:30:00.
Finishing the night off was Chantelle Brice and Zane Van Reenen Joynt.
Brice was only in Deni for three months on an agency nurse contract, but Motiv8 was still able to get her hooked on HYROX.
Even though she has been working in South Australia, she met the Motiv8 team in Melbourne for the weekend.
She and Van Reenen Joynt had a goal to finish in under two hours, and finished strong in 1:56:21 - cramps and all.
Saturday was the men’s doubles, which saw Henry Robinson and Kai Hillier race together.
Considering Hillier only stepped in a few weeks ago to be Robinson’s partner, they handled all the stations well and managed to get all the way to wall balls without getting any warnings.
They did have to do about 20 to 30 extra wall balls because of their range, but still pushed on and finished strong.
The duo made it through the entire course in the fastest time of the weekend for the group, finishing in 1:12:21.
Sunday was the ladies doubles.
Daisy Holden and Monty Jones paired up to finish with a time of 1:18:44.
Sarah Murphy and Kellie De Kryger were the other ladies' duo.
They have been training hard for the last 12 months with a goal of finishing in under two hours, and smashed it with a time of 1:49:54.
Spalding said the competitors all had a very strong support base in the lead up to the weekend, and during the competition.
“The team also had an incredible support crew, cheering for them at each station and encouraging them to push harder, which made the world of difference.
“A special shout out to Scott, Barb, Donna, Leah, Mia, Monty, Josh, Liz, Ash, Sarah’s parents Lisa and Steve, as well as Kane and Kev.”
With the 2025 competition such a success, Spalding said more HYROX events are on the horizon for the crew.
“Being an affiliated gym, this gives Motiv8 early access to pre-sale tickets,” she said.
“It’s handy considering the Melbourne event sold out quickly, with 24,000 athletes racing over the four days.
“Motiv8 have already had people sign up to compete in Brisbane in April 2026 and will also have athletes race at Sydney in July.
“But the big trip will be Melbourne 2026, so more people can easily travel.”
Jarryd Pearce doing the sled push.
Maddie Charlton completing sandbag lunges, with support from Monty Jones.
Liz and Chris Sutton completing one of the eight 1km runs.
Sarah Murphy doing the sandbag lunges while Kellie De Kryger waits for her turn.
Henry Robinson and Kai Hillier after finishing the HYROX course.
Monty Jones and Daisy Holden complete the HYROX Melbourne 2025 course.
Chantelle Brice completing the SkiErg, while Zane Van Reenen Joynt waits his turn.
(Back from left) Jarryd Pearce, Chris Sutton, Josh Sharp, Henry Robinson, Kai Hillier, Scott Hill, Donna Van Lieshout, Tim Van Lieshout; (front) Mia Jenkins, Leah Robinson, Monty Jones, Hope Spalding and Liz Sutton.
Hope Spalding, Monty Jones, Daisy Holden and Kellie De Kryger.
Scott Hill and Hope Spalding.
(Back from left) Scott Hill, Monty Jones, Sarah Murphy, Kellie DeKryger, Kevin DeKryger; (front) Hope Spalding and Kane Harding.
Kane Harding and Sarah Murphy.
Kevin and Kellie De Kryger.
Kai Hillier and Mia Jenkins.
Henry and Leah Robinson.
Tim and Donna Van Lieshout.
Shell and Sarah Nihill took on the HYROX Melbourne 2025 course.
The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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Chantelle Brice completing the ski erg with Zane Van Reenen Joynt.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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Monty Jones and Daisy Holden complete the HYROX Melbourne 2025 course.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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Hope Spalding, Monty Jones, Daisy Holden and Kellie DeKryger.
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(Back from left) Jarryd Pearce, Chris Sutton, Josh Sharp, Henry Robinson, Kai Hillier, Scott Hill, Donna Van Lieshout, Tim Van Lieshout; (front) Mia Jenkins, Leah Robinson, Monty Jones, Hope Spalding and Liz Sutton.
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Henry Robinson and Kai Hillier after finishing the HYROX course.
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Kai Hillier and Mia Jenkins.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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Sarah Murphy doing the sandbag lunges with Kellie De Kryger.
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Kevin and Kellie De Kryger.
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Henry and Leah Robinson.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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Liz and Chris Sutton completing one of the eight 1km segments.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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Monty Jones and Maddie Charlton after completing their ladies doubles.
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Monty Jones completing the row with Maddie Charlton.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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Maddie Charlton completing sandbag lunges with Monty Jones.
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Kane Harding and Sarah Murphy.
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Scott Hill and Hope Spalding.
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(Back from left) Scott Hill, Monty Jones, Sarah Murphy, Kellie DeKryger, Kevin DeKryger; (front) Hope Spalding and Kane Harding.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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Jarryd Pearce doing the sled push.
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Tim and Donna Van Lieshout.
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Hope Spalding and Tim Van Leishout after completing the mixed doubles.
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Hope Spalding doing sandbag lunges with Tim Van Leishout in support.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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The group from Deniliquin's Motiv8 that took on the Melbourne HYROX 2025.
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Shell and Sarah Nihill took on the HYROX Melbourne 2025 course.
