For a recent episode of the Rox Lyfe podcast, we sat down with Sean Wade, former New Zealand Olympian and one of the most remarkable athletes currently competing in HYROX. At 60 years old, Sean has already set the benchmark in his age group with a stunning 1:02 finish time, and he believes there is still more to come.
What makes Sean’s story so compelling is that this is far from a late-life fitness hobby. He competed at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta for New Zealand in the marathon after running 2:10 in Houston, a time that placed him among the best endurance athletes of his era. Now, decades later, he is bringing that same mindset into HYROX.
From Olympic Marathoner to HYROX World Record Holder
Before becoming an Olympian, Sean was a junior national tennis champion in New Zealand, earning a scholarship to Rice University in the United States. From there, he transitioned into elite distance running, eventually representing New Zealand on the Olympic stage.
His pedigree did not stop there though. At age 50, Sean broke multiple masters running world records in a matter of weeks, including:
- 4:23 for the mile
- 14:53 for 5km
- 30:48 for 10km
The 10km mark still stood at the time of the conversation.
How Sean Wade Trains for HYROX
Sean told us that nowadays he keeps much of his training (for HYROX) surprisingly simple.
He rarely runs for more than 45 to 50 minutes at a time, and often uses the treadmill to control (reign in!) pace and warm up gradually.
This is a major part of how he stays healthy.
Instead of heading straight into fast paces, Sean starts very easy and allows his body time to loosen up, especially important for an older athlete managing knee health and recovery.
He also still trains every day…
“You just got to get out and do it.”
That daily consistency appears to be one of the key reasons he continues to perform at such a high level.
The Wall Ball Problem – And His Solution
Sean is open about the fact that wall balls are the biggest limiter in his HYROX performance.
While his running background allows him to stay highly competitive through much of the race, he believes there is at least a minute to be found at the final station alone.
His response?
Pure volume.
Since racing in Phoenix, Sean revealed he has been averaging 1,500 wall balls per week! His goal is clear: make 100 wall balls feel routine.
This obsession with improvement is what has defined his entire sporting career.
The Goal: Beat His Age in Minutes
Perhaps the most fascinating insight from the interview is Sean’s personal target. He wants to become the first athlete to beat their age in minutes in HYROX.
At 60 years old, that means breaking 60 minutes.
With a current best of 1:02, and obvious room for improvement on wall balls and transitions, it is an ambitious goal – but not an unrealistic one.
To check out the full interview with someone who must be one of the most impressive athletes in the sport, watch below or listen on the Rox Lyfe podcast.
