HYROX Anaheim 2026: Complete Race Prep Guide

HYROX Anaheim 2026 closes out the North America fall season in style — a four-day event at the Anaheim Convention Center that draws athletes from across Southern California and beyond. If you’re racing in Anaheim this December, here’s your complete preparation guide.

Race dates: December 3–6, 2026
Venue: Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92802

Race Details

Venue

The Anaheim Convention Center is one of the most well-known event venues on the West Coast, located just steps from Disneyland Resort. The venue’s large floor plan accommodates HYROX’s full station setup with ample spectator space. The Anaheim stop has become one of the most popular on the US calendar — book accommodation early.

Getting There

The Anaheim Convention Center is accessible via the ARTIC transit hub (Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center), which connects Metrolink, Amtrak, and local bus services. From Los Angeles, the Metrolink Inland Empire–Orange County line stops at ARTIC. Driving: the venue has large parking structures on Katella Ave.

Divisions

• Open (Men / Women) — standard weights, all fitness levels
• Pro (Men / Women) — heavier loads for experienced athletes
• Doubles (Men / Women / Mixed) — partner format, alternating
• Pro Doubles — doubles with Pro-level weights
• Relay (Men / Women / Mixed) — team of 4
• Adaptive (Men / Women) — inclusive division

What Is HYROX?

HYROX is a standardized fitness race: 8 rounds of 1 km running followed by 1 workout station, always in the same order:

Station	Exercise	Distance / Reps
1	SkiErg	1,000 m
2	Sled Push	50 m
3	Sled Pull	50 m
4	Burpee Broad Jumps	80 m
5	Rowing	1,000 m
6	Farmers Carry	200 m
7	Sandbag Lunges	100 m
8	Wall Balls	100 reps

Total: 8 km of running + 8 stations. Your Anaheim finish time is directly comparable to any HYROX race worldwide.

Weights by Division

Open Men

• Sled Push: 152 kg (335 lb)
• Sled Pull: 103 kg (227 lb)
• Farmers Carry: 2 × 24 kg (2 × 53 lb)
• Sandbag Lunges: 20 kg (44 lb)
• Wall Balls: 6 kg (13 lb) to 10 ft target

Open Women

• Sled Push: 102 kg (225 lb)
• Sled Pull: 78 kg (172 lb)
• Farmers Carry: 2 × 16 kg (2 × 35 lb)
• Sandbag Lunges: 10 kg (22 lb)
• Wall Balls: 4 kg (9 lb) to 9 ft target

Training Guide: Preparing for Anaheim in December

December 3 gives you roughly 23 weeks from now — enough time to go from zero base to race-ready, or from fit to competitive. Here’s how to break it down.

Weeks 16–12: Foundation

Build your aerobic base with 3–4 runs per week (4–8 km at easy pace). Introduce all 8 stations at light weights — learn the movements before loading them. Don’t rush this phase; it pays off in the later weeks.

Weeks 11–7: Build

Combine running and stations in the same session twice per week. Example: 1 km run → SkiErg 750 m → 1 km run → Rowing 750 m → 1 km run. Increase loads and distances toward race spec. Add one strength-focused session targeting sled mechanics (leg press, split squats) and carry endurance (farmer holds, trap bar deadlifts).

Weeks 6–3: Race-Specific

One full race simulation in this block — all 8 stations in order at race weight. This is the hardest workout you’ll do in prep, and it’s supposed to be. Recover well afterward. Focus on pacing your 1 km runs: practice running the exact pace you plan to hold for all 8 rounds.

Anaheim weather note: December in Anaheim averages 9–20°C (48–68°F) — cool mornings, comfortable afternoons. The race is indoors at the convention center, so temperature is controlled. This is ideal racing weather for Southern California athletes used to summer heat.

Weeks 2–1: Taper

Cut volume by 40%. Keep two short, sharp sessions per week. Arrive in Anaheim feeling fresh — the fitness is already locked in.

Station Tips

SkiErg: Resist the urge to sprint. Set a pace you can hold for 8 rounds and start at 90% of that.

Sled Push & Pull: Stay low, drive from your legs. The sled tests your leg endurance more than anything — conservative early effort pays dividends on stations 6–8.

Burpee Broad Jumps: Rhythm is everything. Find it in the first 5 reps and maintain it across all 80 meters. Explosive early effort kills you here.

Rowing: Halfway point. Breathe, steady your stroke rate, and aim for consistent 500 m splits. Around 2:00–2:10/500m is solid for most Open athletes.

Farmers Carry: Stay braced, breathe rhythmically, and walk with purpose. If you need a planned stop, take it at the 100 m mark — not when fatigue forces you to.

Sandbag Lunges: Short steps, controlled descent. Your legs are at their most fatigued here. Slow and steady genuinely beats fast and sloppy.

Wall Balls: Split these before you start. 20-15-15-15-15-10-10 is a proven approach. Use every squat as a one-second rest. Finishing strong here is a mental game as much as a physical one.

Race Day in Anaheim

Accommodation: The convention center is in the Anaheim Resort District — dozens of hotels within walking distance. December is off-peak for the theme parks, so rates are reasonable compared to summer. Book a hotel within the resort area to avoid race-day transport stress.

Getting there: From LA, the Metrolink connects to ARTIC (15-minute walk or free shuttle to the convention center). Driving: parking structures on Katella Ave and Harbor Blvd. Arrive early — the surrounding area gets busy on event weekends.

Weather: Expect cool mornings (9–12°C / 48–54°F) warming to 18–20°C by afternoon. Dress in layers for warm-up; racing indoors means temperature is stable regardless of outside conditions.

Check-in: Valid government-issued ID required. On-site check-in opens 90 minutes before your division’s first wave. Plan to arrive 60–75 minutes before your start time.

Average Finish Times

Division	Average	Top 25%
Open Men	~1:15–1:25	Sub 1:05
Open Women	~1:20–1:35	Sub 1:10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HYROX Anaheim a good first race?
Yes — Anaheim consistently draws a large, friendly field across all experience levels. The indoor venue, accessible location, and experienced HYROX event team make it a great first-race choice for Southern California athletes.

Do I need to qualify?
No. Open, Doubles, and Relay divisions are open registration. Sign up at hyrox.com, select your division, and follow the registration steps.

What’s the nearest airport?
John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County is the closest, about 15 minutes away. LAX (Los Angeles) is approximately 45 minutes without traffic. Both have ground transport options to the Anaheim Resort District.

Can I bring spectators?
Yes. The Anaheim Convention Center accommodates spectators. Check the official event page for spectator ticket information as the race date approaches.

Is Anaheim the last North America race of 2026?
Near it — Nashville runs December 10–13, just one week after Anaheim. If you’re chasing a fall season PR, Anaheim or Nashville are your last opportunities before the 2026/27 season wraps.

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Also racing in 2026? See our guides: Boston 2026 · Dallas 2026 · DC 2026 · Houston 2026. New to HYROX? Start with our HYROX Beginner Guide. Use the Pace Calculator to set your target splits.

GridRox is not affiliated with or endorsed by HYROX GmbH. Race details are based on publicly available information and may be subject to change — always verify with the official HYROX website.