HYROX Relay: the team format explained

What is the Relay format?

Relay is a team format that splits the Hyrox event across several athletes, generally four, rather than running it solo (Open) or sharing the entire effort between two people (Doubles). Each team member takes on a defined portion of the race — part of the running distance and one or more stations — before handing off to the next teammate.

This format answers a different need than Open or Doubles: it lets groups of friends, colleagues, or club teams experience Hyrox together, including with very different physical profiles or experience levels within the same team.

Relay vs Doubles: the real difference

Confusion between these two formats is common. In Doubles, only two athletes share the entire 8 stations and 8km of running, under the "You Go I Go" rule (only one partner active at a time, the other recovers). In Relay, the team is larger — generally four athletes — and each member takes on a more limited, clearly defined portion of the event, not the whole thing in alternation.

Concretely, in Relay, one athlete might be responsible for just two running segments and one specific station, whereas in Doubles the two partners freely split all 16 segments (8 stations + 8 running segments) between themselves.

Why choose this format

• To experience the Hyrox atmosphere as a group — without every participant needing a full, intense physical prep
• To include very different profiles — a runner can take on more running segments, a strength-focused athlete more stations
• For a first group experience — less individually demanding than a full Open or Doubles
• For a company or club goal — a great team-building format, with real but distributed physical engagement

Questions to ask before building your team

Before assembling your team, clarify a few key points: is each member's fitness level homogeneous enough for a balanced split, or should you instead leverage complementary profiles? Is everyone available for the target slot, given the whole team generally needs to be present at the same time? And who handles shared logistics (group registration, coordinating payments) to avoid last-minute confusion?

How to split roles within the team

An effective Relay split accounts for each member's individual strengths rather than an arbitrary equal division. A more endurance-focused profile can take on a larger share of running segments, while a strength-oriented profile can focus on the most physically demanding stations (sled, wall balls, carries). This split deserves to be tested and adjusted in training before race day, rather than decided at the last minute.

Communication between teammates during the race matters enormously too: knowing precisely when and where each handoff happens avoids dead time that, added up over the whole event, can represent a meaningful time loss.

Relay and team spirit

Beyond the timed performance, the Relay format naturally emphasizes the event's collective dimension. Each member carries a clear responsibility toward the rest of the team, creating a dynamic of mutual encouragement often less present in individual Open. It's a format particularly well-suited to companies running a team-building event, or clubs wanting to involve as many members as possible in a shared Hyrox experience, including those who wouldn't consider tackling the full event solo.

Format availability

Unlike Open, which is always offered, Relay format availability varies by event and season — not every city offers it at every edition. Check the specific race page on the official site to confirm this format is on the program before you put your team together.

Preparing for the Relay format

Even though individual effort is more limited than in Open or full Doubles, some minimum preparation remains essential, particularly for the station(s) specifically assigned to each member. Completely skipping training under the assumption that "it's just a portion of the event" remains a common mistake: the assigned portion still needs to be completed at a strong pace, under the rest of the team's watch.

The complete beginner's guide remains a good foundation for understanding the overall format, even if your specific preparation then focuses on your assigned portion within the team.

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This content is provided for informational purposes. ZONE8 is an independent service, not affiliated with HYROX®.