Chirag and Mili Khatri participated in Hyrox Mixed Doubles 2025 
Vaishnavi and Jolly Patel took part in Hyrox Mumbai 2025
Written By: Yashaswi KocharInstead of children motivating their parents to embrace fitness, it is mothers stepping up, tying their shoelaces, and bringing their children along for one of the toughest fitness challenges around. Marathon-running mothers are introducing their gym-loving but running-resistant children to Hyrox, convincing them to team up as partners. Today, these parent-child duos from across India are doing far more than simply completing fitness challenges together. Through the intense physical and mental demands of Hyrox, they are discovering new dimensions of each other, building trust, and strengthening their bond — one run, one station, and one workout at a time. Ahead of Mother’s Day, we take a look at this narrative shift.‘Working through physical challenges brings you closer’For these mom-son duos, Hyrox is more than just a fitness challenge. Between gruelling runs, intense training sessions, and constant coordination, it has changed the way they communicate with one another.Vaishnavi Patel, a choreographer and interior designer, shares, “Working through physical challenges brought us closer.” Her son Jolly Patel, a choreographer and runner, adds, “I had always admired her, but through Hyrox, I saw her discipline, resilience, and ability to adapt.”
Delnaz and Kayan Medora finished Hyrox Bengaluru in April 2026
‘It helps understand each other’s worlds and perspectives better’Delnaz Medora, a therapist and marathon runner, and her son Kayan, a student, say the journey brought a whole new level of mutual admiration. “Seeing him train and grow was a shocker in the best way. I started seeing him as a strong teammate,” says Delnaz. Kayan adds, “I realised how much strength my mother holds. Even at 46, she was the one motivating me during the runs.”Some pairs also learnt how to stay connected despite living in different cities. With Sidharth Nair, a software developer, in Bengaluru and Suma Biju, an entrepreneur and an ultramarathon runner, in Mumbai, training involved constant calls, updates, and strategy discussions. “We never trained together physically, but we were always coordinating on techniques, diet plans, and playing to our strengths. Even while practising apart, we slowly started gaining confidence in ourselves,” says Sidharth.Hyrox also helped bridge the gap between generations. Chirag Khatri, an actor and Hyrox ambassador, says, “Mom now understands my thirst to compete and has become more supportive. She doesn’t question why I choose a training session over partying on Saturdays.”Mili Khatri, a homemaker, adds, “You can learn as much from your kids as they learn from you. Such shared experiences help parents and children understand each other’s worlds and perspectives better.”What is Hyrox? This fitness challenge includes well-known workouts and running, weaving them into an eight-km run, thus alternating between running and functional exercises. Each kilometre is followed by a functional workout station. The eight workout stations are ski erg, sled push, sled pull, burpee broad jump, rowing, farmer’s carry, sandbag lunges, and wall balls.Where did it all begin for these mom- child duos?1. For Chirag Khatri and Mili Khatri, it started with a normal conversation at home. Chirag got inspired after Mili mentioned she had been running daily before her yoga classes. Since Mili could not lift weights due to past injuries, they decided Chirag would handle the stations while she focused on the 8km run. “I thought we’d pace ourselves, but her competitive side kicked in within the first 2 kms,” laughs Chirag.2.For Vaishnavi Patel and Jolly Patel, it all started after Vaishnavi came across a Hyrox video on social media and suggested trying a practice session together. “That first experience was such an adrenaline rush that we decided to compete as a doubles team,” says Vaishnavi.3.For Delnaz Medora, it began after friends invited her to a simulation event. “I loved how it challenged my strength along with endurance,” she says. Soon after, she teamed up with her 19-year-old son, Kayan Medora, for Hyrox Bengaluru 2026. They finished Hyrox Bengaluru in April 2026.4.For Suma Biju and Sidharth Nair, it all began as Suma saw Hyrox videos on social media. Suma says, “I have been running marathons since 2018 and hitting the gym for the last three years. When I got to know about Hyrox, I wanted to give it a shot.” Sidharth adds, “I initially thought it wasn’t a big deal because I was going to the gym anyway, so the weights were not intimidating. Obviously, I didn’t understand the intensity until I did my first practice simulation.”What they said: 1.Mom and I have never trained together, as we live in different cities. My sessions included practising with random people in Bengaluru. But my favourite part was us arguing over who finishes their daily protein intake faster and who doesn’t forget to stretch after a workout. Her random calls at 2pm asking if I’m drinking electrolytes or not and the 30-minute lecture on the importance of electrolytes were my favourites-Sidharth Nair, a software developer 2. Hyrox can be daunting, especially when there aren’t many in your age group competing with you. Mom didn’t let that thought bother her even once. In fact, she wanted to show everyone that she was a tough lady-Chirag Khatri, an actor and Hyrox ambassador 3. It’s very rare for a parent and child to discuss fitness goals. I have been into running, mountaineering, yoga, gym, and cycling for the last eight years, while he has been focusing on starting his career. I taught him that being fit is more than being able to do a deadlift at the gym. As a fitness freak, Hyrox gave me the opportunity to inculcate these in my son, and now his lifestyle has changed-Suma Biju, an ultramarathon runner