More than 200 athletes participated in a unique urban race through New York City, combining running with functional fitness challenges at multiple gym locations. The event, organized by Urban Iron, saw participants cover approximately eight miles across Manhattan and Brooklyn, stopping at three different fitness studios for a series of exercises.
The race began on September 12th in the Meatpacking District, with the first stop at The Training Lab on West 39th Street. There, competitors performed exercises including using a SkiErg machine, overhead presses, and a water jug carry up nine flights of stairs. Following this, participants crossed the Williamsburg Bridge to The Yard Gym in Williamsburg for another workout session. The final leg of the race led them to True North Training’s Domino Park location for rowing, wall-balls, and sit-ups.
A key differentiator of the Urban Iron race is the lack of a predetermined route between the designated gym stops. Competitors are provided with a suggested route but are ultimately responsible for navigating the city themselves. This element adds a layer of strategic planning and dynamism to the event.
“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,” Dylan Crutchfield, a participant who traveled from Pittsburgh, told The Post. Urban Iron co-founder Jake Schonberger noted that participants often plan their routes in advance, while others adapt their strategy on the fly.
The race is designed to appeal to a wide range of fitness enthusiasts, from runners to weightlifters and functional athletes, offering a novel challenge. "The various aspects of the race make it really attractive to people that are looking for something new, a way to meet new people and an opportunity to challenge themselves to do something really difficult while competing but also having a great time,” said co-founder Louisa Li.
Participants often find the event encourages a more balanced approach to fitness. Jill Czarnik, a runner, found the race pushed her to incorporate more strength training and reduced the pressure of achieving specific finish times. Similarly, Crutchfield, who previously focused on powerlifting, has discovered new aspects of the fitness community through these events.
Training for Urban Iron requires a blend of endurance and strength work. Competitors like Edward Gomez, a three-time participant, aim for high weekly mileage while also incorporating regular gym visits to prepare for the varied demands of the race. He emphasized that the event is not something one can casually undertake without prior preparation.
Urban Iron was founded by Schonberger, a triathlete, and Li, a runner and yoga instructor, initially as a personal challenge to combine different fitness disciplines. The first race took place in June 2025, and subsequent events in New York have quickly sold out, often with long waitlists. The organizers aim to support local gyms and fitness communities in the cities where they hold events, fostering genuine relationships with local fitness leaders and participants.
Beyond New York, Urban Iron has expanded to Austin and Chicago, with plans for future races in Los Angeles and Miami. The founders are also exploring opportunities for international expansion and are working to accommodate the growing demand and increase participant numbers at their events. Long-time participants express enthusiasm for the race's growth and community aspect, with some actively recruiting friends and aiming for event sizes comparable to larger established races like Hyrox.