Hyrox is an intense challenge — this 80-year-old cancer survivor conquered it

After recovering from a stroke and cancer diagnosis, Davenport figured sitting on the couch wasn’t the answer.

By Steph Green Published February 28, 2025 5:25 PM

hyrox cancer survivor — Heavenlybodies_gym / Instagram

Hyrox is an intense challenge for anyone, especially for those in their 80s who have just battled cancer. The fitness race consists of alternating 1km runs with eight different workout stations. Every time you complete the 1km run, you end up at one of the eight functional workout stations:

1km ski-erg
50m sled push
50m sled pull
80m burpee broad jump
1km row
200m farmer’s carry
100m sandbag lunge
100 wall balls

Running all 8km and finishing all eight workout stations certainly isn’t a walk in the park, and while there’s no finishing time or entry qualification requirements, this race isn’t for the faint of heart.

Recommended Videos

Conquering cancer and Hyrox

people running in Hyrox race — Hyrox / Hyrox World Instagram

Two months after getting the all-clear, cancer survivor 80-year-old Roger Davenport conquered the Manchester Hyrox Doubles race on January 25th. Alongside his partner and coach, Matt Scarff, Roger finished the race and was nicknamed ‘Roger the Resilient’ for his efforts.

After recovering from a stroke and cancer diagnosis, Davenport figured sitting on the couch wasn’t the answer. He decided to work with Scarff and enrolled in the doubles division of the Hyrox fitness event to raise funds for cancer.

Reasons to give Hyrox a try

men in Hyrox gym doing rowing machine — Hyrox / Hyrox World Instagram

No matter your age, there are plenty of reasons to give Hyrox a try, and Roger is an inspiration to us all. Hyrox incorporates cardio along with a full-body workout that fine-tunes your overall functional fitness. You’ll feel accomplished and can work at your own pace without worrying about finishing ‘last.’ You’ll improve your strength, endurance, metabolism, and cardiovascular fitness while torching calories.

Topics

Workouts

Steph Green is a content writer specializing in healthcare, wellness, and nutrition. With over ten years of experience, she…

Health & Fitness

Jumpstart your new year fitness goals with TikTok’s viral Winter Arc challenge

Now is the season to prioritize and improve your athletic performance

man running wearing hoodie outside two shirts

It’s the same story every January; the gym is bursting with people eager to fulfill their new year’s fitness resolutions. Before that, in the months leading up to the holidays, people tend to kick back a little and slow down with their training routines. You can start that weekly run, swim, or circuit class after the new year. 'New year, new you' is often the echoed phrase. TikTok’s viral Winter Arc challenge is switching things up and encouraging people to pick up the pace sooner. Let’s look at the Winter Arc challenge and top tips to help you get ahead with your fitness goals.
The latest trending TikTok fitness challenge

‘Winter Arc’ is a 90-day challenge trending on TikTok where you use the last three months of the year to focus on health and fitness objectives and personal development, such as joining a running club, improving your nutrition, or starting a five-day workout plan. Instead of the fall being leisurely time off or a time to sink into your couch and hibernate with a warm beverage, this challenge looks at the holidays as a time to jumpstart your health and fitness goals. The only rule is that you must stay consistent and disciplined to make noticeable progress by the new year.
The idea behind the Winter Arc

Health & Fitness

Study finds walking could turn back the clock for your brain by this many years

There are plenty of reasons to put one foot in front of the other and head out the door

Man jogging brisk walking outdoors in nature

Walking brings a whole host of benefits, from breathing in the fresh air to improving your sleep quality and moving your muscles and joints. Your mood will likely be better after your walk, which could make the day ahead more productive. Research has shown that a brief 10-minute walk can lower your blood pressure, so there are plenty of reasons to put one foot in front of the other and head out the door. A new study reveals that walking could make your brain this many years younger. Let’s take a look at the study.
The study

In the study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, the researchers set out to determine the health impacts of everyday physical activities, including walking regularly and doing chores. The 204 participants answered questions on their phones during a nine-day study. They checked in six times every day, around every 3.5 hours.

Health & Fitness

Is there more muscle damage after intense workouts as you age? Research is in

Here's another reason to power through resistance training and don't let age hold you back.

Man with shirt off in gym lifting one dumbbell

There are lots of factors that can change as you age. Many people find it more difficult to finish that same fitness routine as they get older. As the decades roll on, it might seem more challenging to bounce back after a long night and power through a deadlift, bench press, and bicep curl. Recently, researchers set out to determine if the muscle damage caused by training is more severe for those later in life compared to younger adults. Let’s take a look at these interesting results that might just prompt you to hit the gym or pick up those dumbbells.
The study

In a study published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers compared 16 elite resistance-trained male athletes. Half the participants were around 22 years old and were categorized into the younger male athlete group. The other half were around 52 years old and referred to as the ‘master’ male athletes. The participants were matched for squat strength for the best outcome.