Madelyn Eybergen wins HYROX global title

Madelyn Eybergen added a HYROX world title to her running résumé after winning the professional women’s 20-24 division at the HYROX global championships in Stockholm in 57 minutes, 37 seconds, according to Canadian Running Magazine. The magazine reported on July 9 that the Canadian had raced to a national record at the late-June championships. The result came days after Eybergen ran a 15:30 personal best for 5,000 meters, the same report said. Canadian Running described her as the reigning U Sports cross-country champion. ### How big was the HYROX result? The 57:37 mark gave Eybergen the world title in the professional 20-24 division and made her the first Canadian woman to break 60 minutes in HYROX, Canadian Running reported in a June 19 race story. That report said the time was also the fastest ever by a Canadian woman in the event. Canadian Running said the Stockholm performance also placed Eybergen second overall in the pro women’s field at those championships, behind Britain’s Saskia Millard and ahead of American Rachel Wade in the standings cited by the magazine. (runningmagazine.ca) The same report listed Millard at 57:15 and Wade at 58:53. ### What exactly is HYROX, and what title did she win? (runningmagazine.ca) HYROX describes its world championships as the top event of its season, bringing qualified racers from global events together to compete for age-group world titles. The company says its race format is standardized across events and feeds into global leaderboards and a season-ending world championship. HYROX also says its elite championship structure includes singles and doubles pathways, with qualification earned through designated major events and regional championships. (runningmagazine.ca) In Eybergen’s case, Canadian Running reported that she was crowned world champion in the professional 20-24 division at the Stockholm global championships. ### How unusual is Eybergen’s path into this sport? Madelyn Eybergen came to HYROX from a different athletic background. (hyrox.com) Canadian Running reported that the Kincardine, Ontario, athlete was once a high jumper, ran her first track race in 2024 at age 23, and then moved quickly into national-level distance running. The same June report said the Stockholm world championships were only Eybergen’s second singles HYROX competition ever. (hyrox.com) Her debut came in Vancouver in December, where she posted 1:04:02 despite more than a minute in penalties, according to Canadian Running. ### How does the 15:30 5K fit into this? Canadian Running said Eybergen set her 15:30 personal best for 5,000 meters one week before the HYROX global championships. (runningmagazine.ca) The magazine’s July 9 podcast article framed the sequence as a track breakthrough followed immediately by a world title in hybrid racing. That combination helps explain why Eybergen has drawn attention beyond HYROX. (runningmagazine.ca) Canadian Running said she has continued to focus primarily on running for the 1,500 meters, 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters while lifting weights three days a week and mixing in station work. ### How did she qualify for Stockholm? Vancouver and Ottawa were the key steps. (runningmagazine.ca) Canadian Running reported that Eybergen’s performances in Vancouver singles and in mixed doubles at HYROX Ottawa were enough to secure her place at worlds. In Ottawa, she and partner Haydn Thomas clocked 52:44 in mixed doubles, the magazine said. HYROX says qualification for world championship races comes through podium finishes at listed majors and regional championships for its elite divisions, while age-group and broader championship participation is tied to its global race system. (runningmagazine.ca) ### What comes next for Eybergen? Canadian Running said Eybergen is appearing this week on The Shakeout Podcast to discuss the Stockholm race and her transition into hybrid racing. (runningmagazine.ca) HYROX, meanwhile, lists Stockholm’s Strawberry Arena as the site of the 2026 PUMA HYROX World Championships and says the next world-championship road to 2027 runs through its global qualifying races. (runningmagazine.ca) (hyrox.com)