Episode
894. Alyssa McElheny, Hyrox World Champion & OTQ Marathoner
- Podcast
- Ali on the Run Show
- Published
- Jul 9, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 5010
- Processing state
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Summary
"A lot of these things that seem like world-enders at the time can lead to bigger, better, happier things." Alyssa McElheny had a dream: to qualify for the Olympic Trials Marathon. When the qualifying standard dropped from 2:45 to 2:37, she thought it would never happen. But after a quick cry, she decided not to give up on the dream. In November 2025 — after multiple failed attempts — Alyssa got her OTQ, running 2:34:28 at the Indy Monumental Marathon. Two weeks later, she made her Hyrox debut. She thought she would simply dip her toes into the now-trending "hybrid fitness" competition world. But a dip of the toe led to so much more. Last month — just seven months after her first mixed doubles event — Alyssa became the 2026 Hyrox Elite 15 World Champion. In this conversation, she talks about how she very quickly became the best in the Hyrox world. She talks about the pursuit of fun, she shares some common Hyrox misconceptions, and she talks about what's next. FOLLOW ALYSSA @alyssamcelheny SPONSOR: New Balance. Click here to get your hands on the beautiful, just-released, hot pink Ellipse Breathe sneakers. What a dream! IN THIS EPISODE: What the Hyrox aftermath has been like (2:50) What's making Alyssa happy today, and what the Hyrox homecoming has been like (3:30) Did Alyssa know — or at least believe — she could win it? (7:20) What Alyssa's relationship with running is like right now (16:10) How life has changed since becoming a World Champion (19:30) What Alyssa was like growing up, on being diagnosed with Kawasaki disease at a young age, and how Alyssa eventually found marathoning (22:15) "What in the side quest is happening right now?" (33:00) Alyssa's Hyrox strengths and weaknesses (37:00) Alyssa busts some common Hyrox misconceptions (43:20) Will we see Alyssa on…