What changed in HYROX 26/27 for Vancouver racers

By Dai Manuel (Coach Moose). Last reviewed 4 November 2026.

In the 26/27 rulebooks, leaving the SkiErg, rower or wall balls early, missing a sled lane and missing a farmers carry lap are all disqualifications, not time penalties. Wrong weight means repeating the whole station. Doubles partners must run every kilometre together. Here is every rule worth knowing, with its section.

Facts checked 4 November 2026 against the official HYROX 26/27 Singles rulebook and Doubles rulebook. Season: 26/27. CrossFit BC is one of Vancouver's official HYROX Training Clubs, but we are not affiliated with or endorsed by HYROX, and this is our coaching summary, not an official HYROX document. Judges and the Race Director make the final call on race day.

How we checked this

The 26/27 rulebooks do not include a list of changes, so we went line by line. We compared both official rulebooks with how many race guides, ours included, described the rules before this season. Where a rule now reads differently, we say so. Where it simply matters on race day, we say that too. Every line below carries its rulebook section so you can check it yourself.

If you only remember one thing: in 26/27, finishing every station in full is not optional. The rulebook says any failure to complete a workout station in its entirety is a disqualification for an incomplete station, at all eight stations (Singles and Doubles, section 8).

Now a disqualification, not a time penalty

What to do about it: on both ergs, keep your feet in place, raise an arm when the monitor reads 1,000m and wait for the judge before you move (8.1, 8.5). On the sleds and the carry, count out loud. The venue map decides how many laps the carry takes, and checking it is your job (8.6).

Wrong weight: repeat the whole station

Picking up the wrong kettlebells or the wrong sandbag no longer means instant disqualification. If you complete all or part of the farmers carry or sandbag lunges at the wrong weight, you must repeat the entire station at the correct weight. If you do not repeat it, it is a disqualification (8.6, 8.7). Our penalties page lists it as Code 13: Disqualification (if the station is not repeated at the correct weight).

Choosing the right weight is your responsibility, and the rulebook colour-codes them: white, grey and black by division (8.6, 8.7). Know your colour before race day.

Sandbag drops and putting things back

• Sandbag off the shoulders: the sandbag must stay fully supported on both shoulders. Putting it on the ground, a barricade, your feet or anything else to take the load off is 15 sec per infringement, every time (8.7, Code 15). Older guides said the second time was a disqualification. It is not.
• Kettlebells not returned: kettlebells must go back in the correct box with the handles upright. Otherwise it is 30 sec (8.6, Code 12).
• Sandbag not returned: the sandbag must go back in its marked area, or a 30-second penalty applies (8.7).
• The fix is free: both return penalties are not applied if you go back and correct it before you leave the Roxzone (8.6, 8.7).

Wall balls: no warnings, only reps

There are no warnings at the wall balls. Each throw is a rep or a no-rep (Singles 8.8 penalty protocol). A no-rep costs you nothing except another throw. Start each rep standing tall with the ball in both hands, squat with your hips below your knees, and hit the target. You may catch the ball or let it land, but you may not catch it after it bounces and keep going (8.8).

Digital screens may show your count, but they are a visual aid only. The physical target and the judge are the official standard (8.8). Powdered chalk at the wall balls is a 2-minute penalty (Singles 8.8).

SkiErg and rower details

• SkiErg: jumping is allowed. Your feet may leave the base plate, but they must land back on it. A foot on the floor is an infringement: a formal warning first, then 15 seconds each time (8.1).
• Rower: you may stop, rest the handle in its holder and rest your feet, but you may not stand up, leave the seat or dismount until 1,000m is done and a judge confirms it (8.5).
• Settings: both ergs start at damper 6 and you may change it as often as you like. Footplates on the rower start at position 4 and you may adjust them before you begin (8.1, 8.5).

Doubles: run together, rest on your feet

• Running: both partners must run together for the entire 1,000m between stations. If one runs ahead, it is a 1-minute penalty. More than 3 penalties for not staying together means Out Of Competition, with no ranking (Doubles 7.3). Older guides gave a seconds-based gap. The rulebook gives no number: run together.
• Stations: you enter together, nobody starts until both are present, and you leave together once the station is done (Doubles 7.3).
• Resting partner: stays on their feet in the workout zone. No kneeling, sitting, lying down or a knee touching the floor (Doubles 7.2).
• Handovers: no passing erg handles, and only the working partner touches the damper. Kettlebells and sandbags go sideways or backwards, never forwards (Doubles 8.1, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7). Full detail in the HYROX Doubles guide.

Course, start and conduct rules worth knowing

• Count your own laps: completing extra laps earns no time back, and any lap screen at the venue is only an unofficial aid (Singles 7, Attention 4).
• Fast Lane: if you run at 4:00 per kilometre or faster, you must use the inside Fast Lane. Everyone else stays in the Running Lane (7.2).
• Start tunnel: you must move forward with your wave and not wait in the tunnel. Code 16: +1 min can apply (Singles 7.3).
• Your wave: starting in an earlier or later wave without approval is a disqualification, and your start time must be visible on your arm (Singles 7).
• Chalk: only event-supplied chalk, only at the stations where it is provided, and you may not carry it elsewhere: +2 min (7.1, Code 17).
• Aid station fluids are for drinking only. Pouring them over your head or body is 2 min per infringement (7.1, Code 22).
• Assigned kit only: use the equipment, lane or wall ball station the crew assigns you, or it is 2 minutes per infringement (7.1).

What you can wear and carry

The permitted list is short: knee sleeves, gloves (not grips), a weightlifting belt, wristbands, hydration packs, prescribed asthma inhalers and respiratory devices. Anything not on the list is prohibited unless the Race Director approves it in writing before your start. Whatever you start with, you finish with, and you cannot hand it to anyone (10.1).

Strictly forbidden: headphones, phones, cameras, smart glasses, helmets, breathing apparatus, compressed air and ear plugs (10.2). Any nutrition you want must be on you from the start, because accepting food or drink from anyone except an aid station counts as outside assistance (10.5).

Who can race

Racers must be at least 16 years old on race day (2.2). Pregnant racers and racers with physical limitations can ask HYROX in advance for adaptations, and any adaptation marks the result Out of Competition while still giving a finish time (2.3, 2.4).