Athlete Profile: Ben Blowes – From Marathons to Hyrox Mastery

Introduction to Hyrox

At 53 years old, Ben Blowes is proving that age is no barrier to performance in one of the fastest-growing fitness competitions in the world: Hyrox. A coach, gym owner, and lifelong athlete, Ben was first introduced to the sport by his friend and doubles partner, Ruben.

A former CrossFitter with a deep running background, Ben admits his first impression of Hyrox was less than enthusiastic, dismissing it as a “fake CrossFit thing.” But once he took a closer look at its unique format—particularly the running elements—he was hooked.

With just 10 days’ notice, Ben and Ruben entered their first Hyrox race at London Excel in 2022. Despite limited preparation, the pair stormed through the event and took first place in their age group.

Unexpected Qualification and the Vegas Experience

Two days after their debut, an unexpected email changed everything: they had qualified for the World Championships in Las Vegas—just 11 days away.

Thanks to the support of local sponsors, Ben and Ruben made it to Vegas, where they delivered a remarkable performance. Even with a costly five-minute penalty for missing a lap, the duo finished second in the world in their category.

The experience was transformative. After 20 years of marathon running, Ben found Hyrox far more engaging, blending endurance with strength and strategy. From that moment, he was all in.

Current Training Regimen

Ben’s training reflects both his endurance roots and his need for functional strength:

Hyrox classes (2x per week): Led by Ruben, where Ben trains as a member alongside others.
Running (3x per week): Maintaining his long-standing foundation of endurance.
Strength work (2x per week): Heavy compound lifts such as deadlifts, squats, and power cleans to build and sustain power.

This combination ensures that Ben stays strong, fast, and race-ready while balancing the demands of competition with his coaching role.

The 31-Day Hyrox Simulation Challenge

This August, Ben pushed himself into uncharted territory: completing one full Hyrox simulation every day for 31 days.

The idea had been in the works for over a year. He tested his resilience in March with a 31-day rowing challenge (10k every day), and August was the time to execute the Hyrox plan. He is also used this as an opportunity to raise money for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity which supports people in Cambridgeshire living with advanced serious illness or other life-limiting conditions.

Despite battling a heatwave and personal illness, Ben maintained an impressive level of consistency—recording times between 1:04 and 1:16 across the month. Each simulation was officially judged, with standards enforced to ensure every rep and lap was legitimate.

Xendurance: A Key to Performance

Ben credits some of his improved performance to Xendurance products. Since February, he has consistently used:

Lactic Acid Buffer Tabs – aiding recovery and reducing fatigue.
Creatine – bumped up to 10g daily during his 31-day challenge.
Fuel 5 – taken 90 minutes before simulations, providing 50g of carbs for sustained energy.
Energy Gels – delivering mid-race boosts during runs.

For Ben, supplementation has been a game-changer, particularly during periods of high training volume.

Future Goals and Aspirations

Looking ahead to the 2025–2026 Hyrox season, Ben has ambitious plans. His race calendar is set to include Birmingham, London Excel, and Poznan in December, with Manchester on the wish list.

His goal? To continue chipping away at his times, with inspiration drawn from athletes like fellow Xendurance athlete Simon Passmore, who pushes the limits of what’s possible in their age group with near-hour finishes.

One particular focus for Ben is improving his lunges—once his “nemesis.” Through daily practice during his 31-day challenge, he’s turning this weakness into a growing strength.

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