Brian Lee’s TRYKA to debut in London with community-led fitness race at Excel in September.
TRYKA, the Irish-founded hybrid fitness race league, has officially launched in the UK and has confirmed London as its first market expansion with a two-day event at Excel London on 5 and 6 September 2026.
Founded by Irish entrepreneur Brian Lee, TRYKA has positioned itself as a more accessible entry point into competitive fitness, blending running and functional workouts in an arena-style setting designed to suit beginners and experienced athletes alike.
“London is the right first step as we launch TRYKA in the UK”
Momentum for TRYKA to date has been strong with TRYKA’s recent Dublin weekend events having sold out and TRYKA’s last race drawing 15,000 people, including 8,000 athletes and 7,000 spectators, with 80% of tickets selling within the first 48 hours. The league is also attracting first‑time hybrid racers, with 30% of participants new to hybrid racing.
Chopped and shredded
TRYKA’s UK launch forms part of its wider 2026 season which concludes with the TRYKA Grand Finale in the Algarve in October.
All athletes who compete across the season contribute points towards individual, club and corporate leaderboards.
The Algarve Finals weekend brings together competitors from every race for a larger, festival-style event that celebrates effort, community and progression across the year.
Brian Lee, founder of Freshly Chopped, has been a trailblazer in redefining the healthy fast‑food landscape since launching the brand in Dublin in 2012. Driven by a commitment to health, wellness and sustainability, he grew Freshly Chopped to over 65 locations internationally, transforming how people view fast food through a focus on freshness, quality ingredients and transparent service.
In 2024, Brian successfully exited Freshly Chopped and went on to found TRYKA, a community‑first hybrid fitness race league. Built on the belief that health is the greatest form of wealth, TRYKA was created for the 80% of people who enjoy training but never felt traditional race formats were for them. The league combines running and functional fitness in a structured, welcoming arena‑style environment that allows first‑timers and experienced athletes to compete side by side.
Since launch, TRYKA has delivered sell‑out race weekends in Dublin and is now expanding internationally.
“London is the right first step as we launch TRYKA in the UK,” Lee explained. “We built TRYKA so more people can say yes to race day and our sold-out events to date show how a community-led, accessible format resonates.
“In recent months we have focused on elevating the experience further with the launch of the Fittest Clan category and elevated race weekends so returning athletes and first timers feel the support and atmosphere that TRYKA has to offer. Interest from UK gyms and clubs grows every week, making the London launch a natural progression. We look forward to welcoming London’s gyms, teams and first timers into the Excel.”
TRYKA’s signature race format includes 8 x 800 m runs paired with functional fitness challenges.
For newcomers the TRYKA 500 offers a shorter beginner friendly version with 500 m runs and modified workouts which makes participation less daunting and more welcoming. Through partnerships with local gyms, clubs and corporate teams TRYKA aims to foster community engagement and drive positive change on and off the course. Event weekends also include family options such as Fittest Clan and every participant earns a finisher patch while podium finishers receive a flag.
Across London this summer, TRYKA will run community led pop ups and gym hosted sessions in the lead up to race weekend to introduce the format and help people prepare together.
Partner gyms will host beginner friendly TRYKA 500 taster workouts with simple class integrations and ready to use training plans. Activations are designed to keep the focus on accessibility, first timer-confidence and community. Gyms can register as affiliates for no fee to unlock early ticket access featured visibility on TRYKA channels and the full training toolkit. To become an affiliate partner, register your interest and access ticket information, click here
Top image: Brian Lee, founder, TRYKA
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