HYROX vs Spartan Race: distance, stations, price & difficulty compared (2026-27)
HYROX has 90 upcoming events in 35 countries (entry €40–€145, £40–£128 +21 currencies); Spartan Race has 67 upcoming events in 6 countries (entry $26–$1,200, A$29–A$269 +3 currencies). Data from 157 event listings, updated daily.
Verdict
HYROX: 8 × 1 km runs + 8 stations. Spartan Race: outdoor OCR, 5K–50K, 20–60 obstacles. Entry: HYROX €40–€145, £40–£128 +21 currencies; Spartan Race $26–$1,200, A$29–A$269 +3 currencies. Both are rated Intermediate. HYROX has more upcoming events (90 in 35 countries vs 67 in 6 countries).
Indoor fitness race: 8 x 1 km runs, each followed by a workout station
Obstacle course races from 5 km Sprint to 50 km Ultra
Key differences
- FormatHYROX: 8 × 1 km runs, each followed by a functional workout stationSpartan Race: Outdoor obstacle course race in tiered distances
- Running / distanceHYROX: 8 kmSpartan Race: Sprint 5K · Super 10K · Beast 21K · Ultra 50K
- Stations / obstaclesHYROX: 8 stations: SkiErg 1000 m, Sled Push 50 m, Sled Pull 50 m, Burpee Broad Jumps 80 m, Row 1000 m, Farmers Carry 200 m, Sandbag Lunges 100 m, Wall Balls 100Spartan Race: Sprint 20 · Super 25 · Beast 30 · Ultra 60 obstacles
- DivisionsHYROX: Singles (Open/Pro), Doubles, Relay (4)Spartan Race: Kids, Sprint, Super, Beast
- DifficultyHYROX: IntermediateSpartan Race: Intermediate
- Entry price (upcoming events)HYROX: €40–€145, £40–£128 +21 currenciesSpartan Race: $26–$1,200, A$29–A$269 +3 currencies
- VenueHYROX: Indoor exhibition hallsSpartan Race: Outdoor trail
- Typical finish timeHYROX: 75 minSpartan Race: Ultra: 7–10 h average
- Upcoming eventsHYROX: 90 events in 35 countriesSpartan Race: 67 events in 6 countries
HYROX vs Spartan Race side by side
Format facts from the organisers: hyrox.com, spartan.com, spartan.com, spartan.com, spartan.com. Event counts and prices from race.fitness listings.
Next HYROX races
- HYROX Düsseldorf · 11 Nov 2026
- HYROX Barcelona · 11 Nov 2026
- HYROX Dublin · 11 Nov 2026
Next Spartan Race races
- Spartan Race Moganshan Ultra Trifecta Weekend 2026 · 7 Nov 2026
- 2026 Fenway Spartan Stadion Event Weekend · 7 Nov 2026
- 2026 SLO CAL Spartan Trifecta Weekend · 7 Nov 2026
What is HYROX?
HYROX is an indoor fitness race in which athletes run 1 km and then complete one functional workout station, repeated eight times. The stations and their order are fixed: 1,000 m SkiErg, 50 m sled push, 50 m sled pull, 80 m burpee broad jumps, 1,000 m row, 200 m farmers carry, 100 m sandbag lunges and 100 wall balls. Because the format is the same worldwide, results feed global leaderboards and a World Championship at the end of each season.
HYROX launched in Hamburg, Germany, in 2017 and is run by HYROX World GmbH. It was created by race organiser Christian Toetzke with Olympic medallist Moritz Fürste and marketing expert Michael Trautmann. Races take place in large exhibition halls, with start waves throughout the day. Divisions include Open, Pro (heavier weights), Doubles and a four-person Relay. There is no time cap and no qualification needed for age-group entry, so HYROX suits first-time racers as well as competitive hybrid athletes.
What is Spartan Race?
Spartan Race is an obstacle course racing series established in Vermont, USA, in 2010, with events in more than 40 countries. Courses combine off-road trail running with obstacles such as walls, barbed-wire crawls, monkey bars and a spear throw, and they often include mud and water.
The main distances are the Sprint (5 km, 20 obstacles), the Super (10 km, 25 obstacles), the Beast (21 km, 30 obstacles) and the Ultra (50 km, 60 obstacles). Completing a Sprint, Super and Beast in one calendar year earns the Spartan Trifecta, and many venues host Trifecta Weekends with all three races. Spartan also runs Stadion races in sports stadiums, trail races, kids' races, competitive Elite and Age Group heats, and endurance events. The Sprint is pitched at first-timers, while the Beast and Ultra suit experienced racers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between HYROX and Spartan Race?
HYROX: 8 × 1 km runs, each followed by a functional workout station (running: 8 km). Spartan Race: Outdoor obstacle course race in tiered distances (running: Sprint 5K · Super 10K · Beast 21K · Ultra 50K).
Is HYROX harder than Spartan Race?
Both are rated Intermediate, so neither is clearly harder on paper. The tests differ, though: HYROX is 8 × 1 km runs + 8 stations; Spartan Race is outdoor OCR, 5K–50K, 20–60 obstacles. How hard either feels depends on the division you enter: HYROX offers Singles (Open/Pro), Doubles, Relay (4); Spartan Race offers Kids, Sprint, Super, Beast.
How many HYROX and Spartan Race races are coming up?
Race.Fitness lists 90 upcoming HYROX events in 35 countries (United States, France, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain) and 67 upcoming Spartan Race events in 6 countries (United States, Australia, Japan, China, United Arab Emirates).
Is HYROX or Spartan Race cheaper to enter?
Entry prices for upcoming events: HYROX €40–€145, £40–£128 +21 currencies; Spartan Race $26–$1,200, A$29–A$269 +3 currencies. Prices vary by division, ticket wave and country.
When is the next HYROX or Spartan Race race?
The next HYROX event is HYROX Düsseldorf on 11 Nov 2026. The next Spartan Race event is Spartan Race Moganshan Ultra Trifecta Weekend 2026 on 7 Nov 2026.
Which is better for beginners, HYROX or Spartan Race?
Both HYROX and Spartan Race need a base of running and strength fitness. Check each event’s divisions: most offer an open or team option that is easier than the pro or elite level.