Tia-Clair Toomey and James Newbury, two of Australia’s most celebrated CrossFit athletes, are set to take on a new challenge. The duo has confirmed their participation in the HYROX Melbourne event on December 14-15, 2024, competing in the Mixed Doubles division.
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A New Venture for CrossFit’s Finest
Known for their dominance in CrossFit, this will be Toomey and Newbury’s first attempt at the HYROX fitness competition, a burgeoning sport that combines endurance running with functional fitness exercises. While the competition format is designed to test a wide range of athletic skills, this move appears to be a fun, exploratory step for the pair rather than a competitive statement.
Event Details: HYROX Melbourn
The Melbourne event will host thousands of athletes across various divisions. Toomey and Newbury’s entry into the Mixed Doubles category—a division without a Pro tier—highlights the accessible nature of HYROX. Unlike the Women’s Pro or Men’s Pro divisions, the Mixed Doubles format encourages athletes of all skill levels to pair up and compete.
This new venture follows a recent HYROX appearance by CrossFit rising stars Emma Lawson and Jack Farlow, who excelled in the same division and earned a spot in the 2025 HYROX World Championships.
Who Are Toomey and Newbury?
Tia-Clair Toomey: Widely regarded as the greatest female CrossFit athlete in history, Toomey has clinched seven CrossFit Games championships, setting a record in the sport.
James Newbury: A versatile athlete, Newbury has participated in the CrossFit Games five times. His career highlights include a 5th place individual finish in 2019 and a gold medal in the 2024 team division.
What is HYROX?
HYROX is a fitness competition designed to test a balance of strength, endurance, speed, and power. Each competitor or team completes a series of eight 1-kilometer runs, alternating with functional fitness exercises.
Exercise Sequence:
- 1,000m SkiErg
- 50m sled push
- 50m sled pull
- 80m burpee broad jumps
- 1,000m rowing
- 200m farmer’s carry
- 100m sandbag lunges
- 75-100 wall balls
This unique format is gaining traction globally, with more than 50,000 participants annually across events in major cities.
Fun Over Fierce Competition?
While fans may have anticipated seeing Toomey compete in the Women’s Pro division, their choice to join the Mixed Doubles suggests a more casual approach to their HYROX debut. Nevertheless, their involvement underscores HYROX’s appeal to elite athletes looking for fresh challenges outside their usual arenas.
The Growing HYROX Phenomenon
HYROX is fast becoming a staple in the fitness world, blending competition and inclusivity. With no qualification requirements or time caps, the event is open to fitness enthusiasts of all levels. The inclusion of stars like Toomey and Newbury only amplifies the sport’s growing appeal.
Spectators and fans eagerly await December 15 to see how these two CrossFit legends adapt to the grueling, hybrid nature of HYROX competition.
