A rainy Sunday morning did not deter more than 200 athletes from navigating New York City streets in an eight-mile fitness competition connecting three iconic fitness studios.
The Urban Iron event required runners to chart their own paths from the Meatpacking District through Midtown Manhattan and across the Williamsburg Bridge to Brooklyn.
Participants launched from the Rivian space before stopping at The Training Lab on West 39th Street to complete overhead presses, work on a SkiErg and carry water jugs up nine flights of stairs.
The journey continued across the river to The Yard Gym in Williamsburg for another circuit before ending at True North Training for rowing, sit-ups and wall-ball exercises.
Racers then gathered at Rivian Williamsburg for a post-race celebration featuring ice baths and live music.
Organizers designed the contest without a designated course, forcing competitors to strategize their navigation between exercise stops.
Five-time competitor Dylan Crutchfield explained the mental test of navigating through unfamiliar city streets.
“Unless you’re local to the city, the challenge is trying to navigate to get to the stops you need to, which makes it super dynamic and exciting,” Crutchfield said.
Co-founder Jake Schonberger noted that the absence of a fixed route encourages strategic planning among participants.
“Race participants are required to really think about and understand and plan how they are going to complete the race ahead of time,” Schonberger said.
Co-founder Louisa Li emphasized that the event attracts diverse athletes seeking a supportive community and fresh physical challenges.
“The various aspects of the race make it really attractive to people that are looking for something new,” Li said.
First-time participant Jill Czarnik reflected on how the hybrid format shifted her attitude away from rigid race timing.
“I think it’s promoted more of a balanced approach to fitness,” Czarnik said.