More Than A Race: How A SoMD HYROX Team Built Community Through Movement

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — What began as a small group of friends training together has quietly grown into one of Southern Maryland’s most welcoming and supportive fitness communities.

Over the past two years, a traveling HYROX team based in Southern Maryland has expanded from just a handful of athletes into a group of more than 30 people competing together across the country — from Washington, D.C., and New York to Chicago — with more events planned in Phoenix, Miami and D.C. this spring.

The group first came together in 2024 when several local athletes decided to take on their first HYROX competition in Washington, D.C. At the time, most of them had never attempted anything like it.

“We really didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into,” said team coach and organizer Gretchen Thomas, a longtime personal trainer in the area. “But once we crossed that finish line, nobody wanted it to end.”

HYROX is an international indoor fitness competition that originated in Europe and has rapidly gained popularity in the U.S. The format combines repeated running segments with functional workout stations — such as sled pushes, rowing, lunges and wall balls — designed to test both endurance and strength.

Unlike many competitive events, HYROX is structured to be accessible. Athletes can compete solo or in pairs, and divisions range from open to pro, allowing people of different ages and fitness levels to participate.

That accessibility is what helped the Southern Maryland group grow.

Today, the team trains together twice a week at Fit U in Leonardtown, a space owned by Stacy Buster, who welcomed the group and provided the facility needed for the team to grow. The name reflects the mindset the team lives by: “Life Happens. Train For Life.” Members come from a wide range of backgrounds, including college athletes, marathon runners, parents balancing busy schedules, people returning from injuries and others who are brand-new to structured exercise.

“All levels are represented,” Thomas told The BayNet. “If you train the right way, anybody can do this.”

What keeps people coming back isn’t just the competition — it’s the culture. Members describe a group built on accountability, encouragement and genuine connection. Newcomers are welcomed without pressure, and progress is celebrated in all forms, not just podium finishes.

“It’s not about beating the person next to you,” Thomas said. “It’s about pushing yourself and knowing the people around you want to see you succeed.”

That support becomes especially visible on race weekends. Teammates travel together, cheer each other on and share emotional moments watching one another cross the finish line — sometimes for the first time in their lives.

“People cry. People hug. People are proud,” Thomas said. “You see someone accomplish something they never thought was possible.”

The team’s growth has helped introduce HYROX to Southern Maryland, creating a new fitness option that now brings together athletes from St. Mary’s and Calvert counties. Members range in age from their early 20s to their 60s, and many say the group has helped them reconnect with their community.

Some bring their children to training sessions. Others form friendships that extend well beyond the gym.

“For a lot of people, this becomes more than fitness,” Thomas said. “It becomes a support system.”

In addition to race preparation, the group hosts HYROX-style simulations and fitness challenges locally, allowing curious community members to try the format in a low-pressure environment.

The team continues to grow and is always welcoming new members — whether someone is training for their first HYROX event or simply looking for a supportive place to move their body.

For those who feel hesitant, the message from the group is consistent: Start where you are.

“This isn’t about perfection,” Thomas said. “It’s you versus you — and you don’t have to do it alone.”

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