7
HYROX brought its global partnership with PUMA to the UAE capital, bringing together athletes, fitness enthusiasts and spectators at HYROX Abu Dhabi, which took place from 23 to 25 October at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
As HYROX’s official global apparel and footwear partner, PUMA Middle East was on ground throughout the three-day event, supporting participants as they took on the challenge and celebrating the community that <a href="https://middleeastdaily.net/exploit3rs-brings-real-world-cyberattack-simulations-to-dubai-municipalitys-cybersecurity-week/”>brings the sport to life.
The event saw PUMA Middle East athletes Jess Towl, Matt Wright, Matt Threadgold, Yasmine Elhamouly, Ahmed Sam, Lobna EL-Halawani, Patricia Luna, Mohamed Yassine, Samara Kubanychbekova, Noura Al Khalaf, Mohamed Ali Mrabet and Maria Markovicova compete across different races, alongside members of the wider PUMA Middle East community, including Heba Eid, Shaikha Naser, Jamal Bright, Maria Paliy, Evan Macari and PUMA’s run club community partner, LFG. Jonathan Bannister, Head of Marketing at PUMA Middle East, and Ben Strasser, Marketing Consultant at PUMA Middle East, also took to the race floor, completing the PUMA Middle East family participation at HYROX Abu Dhabi 2026.
The brand’s athletes and community members delivered several standout results across the weekend, including:
- Mohamed Yassine Lahbri: Finished second overall in Solo Pro Men’s, taking first in his age group in 57:47. He also set a Moroccan national record and recorded the fastest time by a GCC resident on the day.
- Jess Towl: Finished third overall in Solo Pro Women’s, taking first in her age group with a time of 1:02:35.
- Samara Kubanychbekova: Placed sixth overall in Solo Pro Women’s, finishing second in her age group in 1:09:42.
- Patricia Luna: Took third in her age group in Solo Pro Women’s, completing her first-ever HYROX Pro race.
- Matt Threadgold and Jessica Brady: Finished second overall in Mixed Doubles, placing second in their age group in 55:34.
- Men’s Relay team: Mohamed Ali Mrabet, Mohamed Yassine Lahbri,
- and their men’s relay team claimed first overall, finishing in 51:08.
- Wider PUMA Middle East community: Heba Eid placed second in her age group in Solo Pro Women’s, Maria Paliy finished fourth in her age group in her first-ever solo race, and Evan Macari placed second in his age group in Mixed Doubles.
Beyond the race, PUMA Middle East brought a few extra touches to the experience for participants and spectators alike. The PUMA booth offered colourful hair braiding and temporary tattoos, giving attendees another way to get into their own race-day spirit, while support boards in the spectator area encouraged friends, families and fellow fitness enthusiasts to cheer on their people throughout the competition. The PUMA Nitro Van was also on site, giving attendees the opportunity to try PUMA’s latest performance innovations.
From first-time HYROX participants to those who have competed at events around the world, the weekend brought together athletes at different stages of their fitness journeys. Across the race floor and the spectator stands, a shared determination to push through each challenge was matched by the encouragement and support shown to one another, creating an atmosphere that extended beyond the competition itself.
Next up is HYROX Dubai on 27–28 November, as PUMA Middle East continues the season alongside the athletes and community making each race weekend their own.