HYROX vs Tough Mudder: distance, stations, price & difficulty compared (2026-27)
HYROX has 90 upcoming events in 35 countries (entry €40–€145, £40–£128 +21 currencies); Tough Mudder has 20 upcoming events in 5 countries (entry $50–$429, A$119–A$275). Data from 110 event listings, updated daily.
Verdict
HYROX: 8 × 1 km runs + 8 stations. Tough Mudder: outdoor mud run, 5K–15K, 13–30 obstacles. Entry: HYROX €40–€145, £40–£128 +21 currencies; Tough Mudder $50–$429, A$119–A$275. Both are rated Intermediate. HYROX has more upcoming events (90 in 35 countries vs 20 in 5 countries).
Indoor fitness race: 8 x 1 km runs, each followed by a workout station
Team-focused mud and obstacle courses: 5 km and 15 km formats
Key differences
- FormatHYROX: 8 × 1 km runs, each followed by a functional workout stationTough Mudder: Team-oriented outdoor mud and obstacle run
- Running / distanceHYROX: 8 kmTough Mudder: 5K · 10K · 15K
- 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 100Tough Mudder: 5K: 13 · 10K: 20 · 15K: 30 obstacles
- DivisionsHYROX: Singles (Open/Pro), Doubles, Relay (4)Tough Mudder: Individual or team entry
- DifficultyHYROX: IntermediateTough Mudder: Intermediate
- Entry price (upcoming events)HYROX: €40–€145, £40–£128 +21 currenciesTough Mudder: $50–$429, A$119–A$275
- VenueHYROX: Indoor exhibition hallsTough Mudder: Outdoor mud course
- Upcoming eventsHYROX: 90 events in 35 countriesTough Mudder: 20 events in 5 countries
HYROX vs Tough Mudder side by side
Format facts from the organisers: hyrox.com, uk.toughmudder.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 Tough Mudder races
- Tough Mudder Melbourne 2027 · 13 Feb 2027
- Tough Mudder Austin · 27 Feb 2027
- Tough Mudder Los Angeles · 20 Mar 2027
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 Tough Mudder?
Tough Mudder is an obstacle course event series founded in 2010 by Will Dean and Guy Livingstone, with its first event in Pennsylvania, USA. It has been owned by Spartan Race since 2020. Events are held mainly in the United States and Canada, with regional editions in the UK and other countries.
The main formats are Tough Mudder 5K, with 12 or more obstacles, and Tough Mudder 15K, with 20 or more obstacles over a 15 km course. Infinity events and the World's Toughest Mudder are 8, 12 and 24-hour endurance challenges. Signature obstacles include Arctic Enema, Mudderhorn and Electroshock Therapy. Tough Mudder is built around teamwork rather than finishing times, and most participants sign up as a team. The 5K suits newcomers and groups, while the 15K and endurance formats call for solid running fitness and upper-body strength.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between HYROX and Tough Mudder?
HYROX: 8 × 1 km runs, each followed by a functional workout station (running: 8 km). Tough Mudder: Team-oriented outdoor mud and obstacle run (running: 5K · 10K · 15K).
Is HYROX harder than Tough Mudder?
Both are rated Intermediate, so neither is clearly harder on paper. The tests differ, though: HYROX is 8 × 1 km runs + 8 stations; Tough Mudder is outdoor mud run, 5K–15K, 13–30 obstacles. How hard either feels depends on the division you enter: HYROX offers Singles (Open/Pro), Doubles, Relay (4); Tough Mudder offers Individual or team entry.
How many HYROX and Tough Mudder races are coming up?
Race.Fitness lists 90 upcoming HYROX events in 35 countries (United States, France, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain) and 20 upcoming Tough Mudder events in 5 countries (United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Canada).
Is HYROX or Tough Mudder cheaper to enter?
Entry prices for upcoming events: HYROX €40–€145, £40–£128 +21 currencies; Tough Mudder $50–$429, A$119–A$275. Prices vary by division, ticket wave and country.
When is the next HYROX or Tough Mudder race?
The next HYROX event is HYROX Düsseldorf on 11 Nov 2026. The next Tough Mudder event is Tough Mudder Melbourne 2027 on 13 Feb 2027.
Which is better for beginners, HYROX or Tough Mudder?
Both HYROX and Tough Mudder 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.