With all eyes on the World Triathlon Championship Finals in Wollongong and the upcoming Ironman 70.3 World Championship, one major development in the world of fitness racing may have slipped under the radar.
At the World Triathlon Congress held in Wollongong, Australia, on October 18th, delegates from 112 national federations voted to officially recognize two new disciplines under the World Triathlon umbrella: Fitness Racing and Swimrun.
The decision marks a historic expansion for the international governing body, signaling its intent to lead the growth of emerging multisport formats that merge endurance, strength, and strategy. Fitness Racing, developed and popularized by the international fitness brand HYROX, has exploded in global popularity in recent years, drawing participants from both endurance and gym-based training backgrounds. Swimrun, inspired by the Swedish-originated Ötillö (“island-to-island”) races, blends trail running and open-water swimming across natural landscapes.
“The opportunities are there for us to become a global leader in new sporting areas,” said World Triathlon President Antonio F. Arimany during the Congress. “Their success depends on the strength of our visions and our unity to implement them. To have seen such positivity among our membership is encouraging, so now we must continue to deliver.”
This Congress was the first under Arimany’s presidency and introduced a new Strategic Plan. The plan outlines World Triathlon’s mission to lead the sustainable growth of triathlon and multisport communities while exploring new commercial and competitive opportunities. The new disciplines are a cornerstone of this strategy, aiming to attract a younger, more diverse global audience.
The move aligns with World Triathlon’s growing collaboration with private organizers, including its partnership with the Professional Triathletes Organisation (PTO) and cooperation with the T100 Triathlon World Tour. These partnerships signal a more commercially dynamic and inclusive approach to the sport’s evolution.
In addition to approving the new disciplines, the Congress confirmed updates to the 2026 race calendar, which begins in Abu Dhabi and features new stops in Samarkand (Uzbekistan), Quiberon (France), and a return to London for the first time since 2015. The Grand Final will take place in Pontevedra, Spain.
While most of the endurance community’s attention remains on the Ironman 70.3 World Championships and the T100 Grand Finale in Qatar, World Triathlon’s recognition of HYROX and Swimrun could represent the next big evolution in the multisport landscape. By embracing these fast-growing formats, the federation is positioning itself not just as a guardian of triathlon’s traditions—but as a bridge to the future of fitness racing.
For the full World Triathlon announcement, visit worldtriathlon.org.
The post Big News for Endurance Athletes: HYROX and Swimrun Join the World Triathlon Family appeared first on Triathlon Magazine Canada.