The Y Race
What is the Y Race?
The Y Race is a hybrid fitness challenge modeled directly after the world-renowned Hyrox format, but customized for our community right here at Fitness on 25th. It combines simple, outdoor running with indoor functional fitness stations. There are no complex gymnastics or heavy Olympic barbells—just natural movements like running, pushing, pulling, and carrying.
The format follows the signature Hyrox rhythm: You run a loop, you conquer a functional fitness station, and you repeat. You keep going until you complete all the running and all the stations. Your total time is your race score!
The Hyrox Advantage: Because it focuses on functional movements rather than high-skill lifting, it is incredibly accessible. If you can jog, power-walk, and move a weight from point A to point B, you can crush the Y Race—whether you choose to attack it solo, with a partner, or as a relay team!
The Race Format
8 rounds total. For each individual round, participants will run a designated outdoor loop in Kinsmen Park before heading back inside the gym to tackle a functional station.
The 8 Stations Explained
Here is exactly what participants will do at each indoor fitness station after completing their outdoor run lap:
- SkiErg: A standing cardio machine that mimics cross-country skiing. It builds a steady rhythm using the upper body, core, and legs.
- Sled Push: Pushing a weighted sled across the turf. It is a pure lower-body power builder, but participants can take it at a steady walk.
- Sled Pull: Using a thick rope to pull a weighted sled toward you. This station focuses entirely on your back, arms, and core stability.
- Burpee Broad Jumps: A crowd favorite (and a tough one!). Drop into a burpee, stand up, and jump forward. Repeat until the target distance is hit.
- Rowing: A classic rowing machine station. Smooth, steady power is the key here to keep the heart rate controlled.
- Farmers Carry: Picking up heavy kettlebells or dumbbells by your sides and walking a set distance. It tests pure grip strength and posture.
- Sandbag Lunges: Placing a weighted sandbag on your shoulders and executing walking lunges. A serious challenge for tired legs!
- Wall Balls: The grand finale. Holding a medicine ball, drop into a squat, and throw the ball up to hit a target on the wall. Complete the reps and cross the finish line!
Types of registration
Solo: The Ultimate Personal Challenge
This is the classic format. One person takes on the entire race from start to finish.
- How it works: You run every single outdoor loop and complete 100% of the work at every single indoor station by yourself.
- The Vibe: A true test of individual pacing, mental toughness, and well-rounded fitness.
- Best for: Members who want to benchmark their personal fitness, push their limits, or see what their body can do solo.
Partner (Doubles): Shared Work, Shared Victory
The partner format makes the race incredibly accessible because you are never working alone.
- How it works: You and your partner run the outdoor loops together side-by-side. Once you get inside to a station, you split the exercise reps or distance however you want. For example, on the Sled Push, Partner A can push it halfway, and Partner B can push it the rest of the way. While one partner is working, the other rests and cheers them on.
- The Vibe: Highly strategic, collaborative, and motivating. You can play to each other’s strengths (e.g., if one person loves rowing and the other excels at wall balls).
- Best for: Friends, couples, or training partners who want the thrill of the race but want to share the physical load.
Group Relay (Team of 4): High-Energy Speed
The relay breaks the entire event down into bite-sized, fast-paced pieces. It turns a grueling fitness challenge into a massive team sport.
- How it works: A team of 4 splits up the 8 rounds, meaning each person completes exactly 2 rounds (2 outdoor runs and 2 indoor stations total).
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- Member 1 does Run 1 + Station 1, then Run 2 + Station 2.
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- They tag Member 2, who takes on Run 3 + Station 3, then Run 4 + Station 4, and so on.
- The Vibe: Pure adrenaline, fast transition times, and massive community energy. Because you get plenty of rest while your teammates are out on the course, you can attack your specific stations with maximum effort.
- Best for: Corporate teams, families, groups of gym buddies, or anyone who wants a fun, high-spirited, and less intimidating entry into the race.
Tier List
🏆 The Competitive Tier (For the Leaderboard)
Want to see how you stack up? The Competitive tier is for athletes who want an official, strictly tracked finish time.
- The Rules: Every station will have a dedicated judge to ensure correct movement standards, accurate rep counts, and proper weight loads.
- The Goal: To move as fast as possible within the official rules. Top finishers in this tier will be eligible for podium spots and prizes!
- Best for: Anyone who loves a challenge, wants a true benchmark of their fitness, or wants to see their name on the official Y Race leaderboard.
🎉 The Non-Competitive Tier (For the Fun & Fitness)
Just want to challenge yourself, have fun, and cross the finish line? This tier is all about community, movement, and personal achievement.
- The Rules: There are no judges, no strict movement standards, and no pressure. You can modify any exercise, reduce the weights, or adjust the distances to fit your body and fitness level. If lunges hurt your knees, you can do bodyweight squats. If the sled is too heavy, strip some weight off!
- The Goal: To finish your race, your way. You will still get a timed finish for your own personal tracking, but results won’t count toward the competitive leaderboard.
- Best for: First-timers, anyone recovering from a minor injury, or those who just want to experience the incredible team energy of the Y Race without the stress of strict rules.
Marielle’s Story: Building Community, One Step at a Time
Meet Marielle Gauthier!
Marielle has been part of the Fitness on 25th community since 1993. She joined while looking for a gym that felt welcoming and meaningful. She was drawn to the idea of a community space rooted in shared values and a mission that supports people beyond just fitness. What she found at YWCA Saskatoon was exactly that.
Over the years, Marielle has stayed connected to YWCA Saskatoon because of the strong sense of community and purpose. It feels like family to her. The organization’s focus on mentorship and its commitment to helping others through challenging times reflect what she believes in. For Marielle, the YWCA is a place where people can find comfort, support, and the opportunity to move forward in life.
She wants others to know about the incredible work YWCA Saskatoon does. Many people may not be aware of the range of programs and the impact they have on the community. Marielle encourages anyone who is unfamiliar to visit and see the work firsthand.
This year, Marielle became the top fundraiser for the Y Race. Her motivation came from wanting to support Fitness on 25th directly, to help raise awareness, and to contribute to reaching YWCA Saskatoon’s donor goal. It was also a chance to work toward a personal challenge. She has her sights set on joining a HYROX race one day and saw the Y Race as a step in that direction.
We are thankful for Marielle’s dedication and continued support. Her generosity and belief in the power of community inspire us all.
How You Can Help
Sign up to compete as a 1 person and 2 person team or volunteer!
Spread the word to family, friends, and local businesses! The more the merrier!
