{"id":390710,"date":"2026-04-09T23:43:23","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T23:43:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/390710\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T23:43:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T23:43:23","slug":"saskia-millard-sets-european-record-just-months-into-hyrox-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/390710\/","title":{"rendered":"Saskia Millard Sets European Record Just Months Into HYROX Career"},"content":{"rendered":"

At the 2026 HYROX European Championships in London, Saskia Millard crossed the line in 57:26<\/a> and set a new European record.<\/p>\n

That time stands out on its own. What sits behind it makes it even more impressive.<\/p>\n

Millard had just come off a full week working in A&E. She finished a late shift the night before racing and arrived in London without knowing exactly what to expect.<\/p>\n

The plan was simple. Treat it as another opportunity to learn.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to use it as an opportunity to practice the stations,\u201d she said in an Instagram<\/a> post.<\/p>\n

Instead, she left as a record holder.<\/p>\n

From Learning the Race to Leading It<\/p>\n

Her HYROX journey is still in its early stages.<\/p>\n

Millard made her Pro debut in London<\/a> in December 2025, entering the race with limited preparation and experience on the stations. She finished in 1:05:51<\/a> and left with a clear understanding of what needed to improve.<\/p>\n

The progress since then has been quick.<\/p>\n

Within a few months, she moved onto the podium in Glasgow<\/a>, delivered strong performances in doubles alongside Holly Archer, and then returned to London to produce the fastest time ever recorded by a European athlete.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a steep learning curve, even by HYROX standards.<\/p>\n

A Runner Adapting to Hybrid Racing<\/p>\n

Millard\u2019s background has played a key role.<\/p>\n

A British middle-distance runner<\/a>, she came into the sport with a strong aerobic base. Running has consistently been her strength.<\/p>\n

The challenge has been everything around it.<\/p>\n

That process is still ongoing. Even during her record-breaking performance, she approached the race as an opportunity to test her pacing and execution rather than to chase a specific time.<\/p>\n

At one point late in the race, she realized she still had more to give.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got to the wall balls and thought, actually, I feel okay.\u201d<\/p>\n

From there, she closed strong enough to hit a mark she hadn\u2019t expected.<\/p>\n

Balancing Elite Sport and a Full-Time Career<\/p>\n

Millard\u2019s situation stands out in a sport where many athletes train full-time.<\/p>\n

She continues to work as a doctor,<\/a> fitting training around demanding shifts. That limits how much she can do, but it also means every session has to count.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s not much room for wasted work.<\/p>\n

What Comes Next<\/p>\n

Despite setting a European record, Millard narrowly missed the cutoff for Elite 15 solo qualification this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cGutting to have missed out on Elite 15 solo qualification by one day,\u201d she wrote on Instagram<\/a> after the race.<\/p>\n

Her focus now shifts to doubles competition with Holly Archer<\/a>, where she will look to build on the momentum from London.<\/p>\n

At the same time, there is a clear sense that this is only the beginning.<\/p>\n

\u201cBiggest pinch me moment of my life,\u201d she said. \u201cI wasn\u2019t too sure what to expect\u2026 but it was certainly not that.\u201d<\/p>\n

For an athlete still early in her HYROX journey, results like this suggest there is more to come.<\/p>\n

About the Author<\/p>\n

Jeremiah Oliva<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Jeremiah Oliva is a writer passionate about fitness, sports, and active living. He has experience in songwriting and managing content and social media for online radio and magazine platforms.<\/p>\n

He covers HYROX, CrossFit\u00ae, and competitive fitness, with a focus on performance, mindset, and athlete development.<\/p>\n

Outside of writing, Jeremiah trains in boxing, cycles, explores the outdoors with his kids, and plays the guitar.<\/p>\n