Wietrzyk makes it four our of four with a hugely impressive victory at the 2026 HYROX Warsaw Major. She set a new World Record time of 54:25.
Linda Meier, Lauren Weeks, Joanna Wietrzyk, Sinead Bent, Lucy Proctor, Vivian Tafuto, Seka Arning and Lena Putters had already qualified for Stockholm.
The race was a true testing ground for the World Championship. With 7 women fighting for the 3 spots to qualify for the World Championships in Stockholm.
| # | Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Linda Meier | Germany |
| 2 | Lauren Weeks | USA |
| 3 | Joanna Wietrzyk | Australia |
| 4 | Sinead Bent | England |
| 5 | Lucy Procter | England |
| 6 | Vivian Tafuto | USA |
| 7 | Emilie Dahmen | Netherlands |
| 8 | Danél Louw | South Africa |
| 9 | Seka Arning | Germany |
| 10 | Alyssa McElheny | USA |
| 11 | Lena Putters | Belgium |
| 12 | Stefanie Oswald | Germany |
| 13 | Elli Stenfors | Finland |
| 14 | Kat Parnell | England |
| 15 | Chloe Cook | England |
In her usual style, Weeks was first to the corner, with Wietrzyk right behind. Louw from South Africa was in third place and Bent followed in fourth as the athletes hit the ski erg. Wietrzyk was 23 seconds behind Weeks on the first run. Alyssa McElheny has a 2:34 marathon time, and is one of, if not the best runners in the field. Cook was also fast on the ski erg. She set off calmly and conservatively during the first run.
Wietrzyk said before the race that the sleds are where she wanted to make her move against Weeks. On average this season, Weeks has had a sled push time that is 15 seconds slower than Wietrzyk.
McElheny had moved up into third position by the time she hit the sled push.
Race Tip: Many of the top female HYROX athletes will pause and shake out their legs during the sled push. This can help to break down lactate build up and preserve tired legs from getting too fatigued. Give it a go when you train and compete.
Wietrzyk closed the gap to Weeks during the sled push, and ran the next running section on the shoulder of the American.
As the Aussie and the America fought it out, the camera showed Linda Meier standing by the side of the track. She had pulled out of the race. However she recouped and got back out onto the competition floor. Bent, Cook, Tafuto, Oswald and Arning were busy fighting things out in the middle of the pack.
Weeks and Wietrzyk continued to battle through the row. Putters has been working with a sports psychologist to navigate life as a young professional athlete. Weeks, a mum and a coach, chased Wietrzyk back onto the track for the next run. Cook suffered a 15 second penalty.
Bent sprinted the farmer’s carry in sections and put the kettlebells down often. McElheny looked strong during this section.
Race Tip: when doing your sandbag lunges, remember to drop the bag inside the white lines so that you don’t receive a penalty.
Wietrzyk was first out of the sandbag lunges, with Weeks trying to hunt her down.
Weeks, with her CrossFit background, is exceptionally strong on the wall balls, and Wietrzyk needed to establish a gap between the two before she arrived at the final section.
Wietrzyk was 10 reps ahead of Weeks when the latter arrived at the final section. Wietrzyk completed the wall balls crossed the line in 54:25 to set a new world record.
Qualifications for Stockholm
Alyssa McElheny, Emelie Dahmen and Stefanie Oswald have claimed the final 3 spots at the Elite 15 women’s race in Stockholm.
Dahmen was shocked and overjoyed as she crossed the line.
McElheny has qualified on her Elite 15 debut.
Check out Wietrzyk’s winning moment.
Three break the world record. Three qualify for Stockholm. One Grand Slam.
The new World Record of 54:25 is now the time to beat.
