At the 2026 HYROX European Championships in London, Saskia Millard crossed the line in 57:26 and set a new European record.
That time stands out on its own. What sits behind it makes it even more impressive.
Millard had just come off a full week working in A&E. She finished a late shift the night before racing and arrived in London without knowing exactly what to expect.
The plan was simple. Treat it as another opportunity to learn.
“I wanted to use it as an opportunity to practice the stations,” she said in an Instagram post.
Instead, she left as a record holder.
From Learning the Race to Leading It
Her HYROX journey is still in its early stages.
Millard made her Pro debut in London in December 2025, entering the race with limited preparation and experience on the stations. She finished in 1:05:51 and left with a clear understanding of what needed to improve.
The progress since then has been quick.
Within a few months, she moved onto the podium in Glasgow, delivered strong performances in doubles alongside Holly Archer, and then returned to London to produce the fastest time ever recorded by a European athlete.
It’s a steep learning curve, even by HYROX standards.
A Runner Adapting to Hybrid Racing
Millard’s background has played a key role.
A British middle-distance runner, she came into the sport with a strong aerobic base. Running has consistently been her strength.
The challenge has been everything around it.
That process is still ongoing. Even during her record-breaking performance, she approached the race as an opportunity to test her pacing and execution rather than to chase a specific time.
At one point late in the race, she realized she still had more to give.
“I got to the wall balls and thought, actually, I feel okay.”
From there, she closed strong enough to hit a mark she hadn’t expected.
Balancing Elite Sport and a Full-Time Career
Millard’s situation stands out in a sport where many athletes train full-time.
She continues to work as a doctor, fitting training around demanding shifts. That limits how much she can do, but it also means every session has to count.
There’s not much room for wasted work.
What Comes Next
Despite setting a European record, Millard narrowly missed the cutoff for Elite 15 solo qualification this season.
“Gutting to have missed out on Elite 15 solo qualification by one day,” she wrote on Instagram after the race.
Her focus now shifts to doubles competition with Holly Archer, where she will look to build on the momentum from London.
At the same time, there is a clear sense that this is only the beginning.
“Biggest pinch me moment of my life,” she said. “I wasn’t too sure what to expect… but it was certainly not that.”
For an athlete still early in her HYROX journey, results like this suggest there is more to come.
About the Author
Jeremiah Oliva
Jeremiah Oliva is a writer passionate about fitness, sports, and active living. He has experience in songwriting and managing content and social media for online radio and magazine platforms.
He covers HYROX, CrossFit®, and competitive fitness, with a focus on performance, mindset, and athlete development.
Outside of writing, Jeremiah trains in boxing, cycles, explores the outdoors with his kids, and plays the guitar.
