8 km of running, 152 kg to push, 100 m of walking lunges…Le Figaro took part in HYROX Paris, the fashionable hybrid “challenge”

Ten, nine, eight…The countdown sounds. On the starting line, tension is at its peak. And everyone gets rid of it in their own way. Some encourage each other by “checking” themselves with their fists – a reminder of the health crisis? –, others jump on the spot. We also see several competitors in our wave clapping loudly, probably to motivate themselves. Three, two, one…Here we go! It's noon sharp and we're off to the second edition of Fitness Park HYROX Paris, the Parisian hybrid running event combining running – eight kilometers divided into eight one-kilometer laps – and functional exercises. For us, it's a (real) leap into the unknown. Of course, we are (a little) sporty but we are absolutely not prepared for the efforts that await us.

A (too) cautious start

The start is quick. From the first seconds of the race, people overtake us on our right and left. After a few dozen meters, we find ourselves at the back of the group…while…