World champs qualification for JERK training athletes

North Devon based JERK Training will be sending three athletes to the Hyrox World Championships in Chicago at the end of June after they qualified for the finals during the 2024/25 season. 

Gemma Rous once again qualified at London Excel for the World Championships and will compete in the 35-39 Pro Women’s Individual race. Darren Lewis and Matt Wills managed to clinch first Place in Malaga to book their places in the 50-59 Pro Doubles event. They will travel to Chicago between June 12 - 15 and will line up to compete against the best Hyrox athletes on the planet. 

Gemma is a full-time working mum with two daughters from Ilfracombe and was delighted to secure her World Championship place after a hard-fought race at the London Excel. Gemma has a background in 400m at National level and is recognised by her fellow JERKs as one of the toughest mums in the team.

Gemma said: “I’m thrilled to have another shot at improving on last year’s performance and to once again compete in this incredible fitness race on a global stage. It’s even more special this time, with some of my local team-mates and training partners joining me—hopefully we can keep growing North Devon’s presence internationally.

“After accidentally qualifying last year, I’ve learned so much more about the sport and completely fallen in love with it… as has everyone at Jerk Training, I think!”

Darren Lewis is a graphic designer who lives in Woolacombe and only ran his first Hyrox race with two weeks' notice in at the London Excel in November 2024 after an injury to another team member gave him the opportunity to race. From a rugby and running background, his strengths transferred perfectly into the Hyrox world.

Darren said: "Soon we’ll be swapping the JERK Training and weighted vests we sport for our weekly battle at Woolacombe Dunes parkrun for v50 England Hyrox Pro Pairs colours. It still doesn’t sound quite believable and not something we’d anticipated before casually earning our spot, by winning our age group, in Malaga.

“Somehow, we posted a time that sits us 25th on the all-time World Rankings without taking it too seriously. Time to start some really focused training and daring to dream of the podium in Chicago and bringing some silverware back across The Pond to North Devon."

Matt Wills is semi-retired and currently working as an SEN TA in Woolacombe School. Having completed in Hyrox individual races at both Open and Pro levels, he is very aware of the high standards within the older athlete field. With a background in rugby and bodybuilding, the transition to Hyrox would not be described as seamless, but effective!

Matt said: "It will amazing to compete on a World stage in our age category with Darren who is a great friend and who I race with weekly at Woolacombe Dunes Parkrun, I was lucky enough to train alongside Gemma last year as she prepared for Nice, so I was over the moon to do so well in Malaga and secure a World Championship qualification with her.

“Travelling to Chicago with such close JERK Training team-mates makes it so much more special having worked so hard alongside them over the last few years. North Devon is renowned for its surfing culture and achievements primarily, but it’s nice to know that we have another sport which is represented at National level"     

JERK Training are based in Woolacombe and specialise in outdoor functional fitness; with 100 members they are regulars at their local Woolacombe Dunes Parkrun, Croyde Triathlon and North Devon Marathon, all noted as some of the toughest competitions in the UK. JERK Training have athletes of all ages and abilities ranging from 18-62 and strive for one thing, to create a supportive and inclusive environment to become the very best version of yourself.

During 2025 the team will be competing at Hyrox events in London, Malaga, Birmingham and Cardiff. The team has also signed up for the Deadly Dozen event and are regulars, and Affiliate Members of the Superhuman Games hosted in Bristol.

The 'JERK's' have a reputation for training outdoors in all weathers on our brutal but beautiful North Devon Coast, incorporating sand, hills and adverse weather conditions into a range of inclusive training options, whatever your level.  

In the last few years, the team are proud to have supported many of the JERK family to their first events sending 22 athletes to the Superhuman Games and a team of over 30 to the Malaga Hyrox event.

Since 2017, Hyrox has been catapulted to the peak of all-inclusive fitness events, becoming one of the most sought-after events to participate in. Part sport, part race, part fitness craze, it has become a social media sensation since being founded and those who have fallen in love are, in their own words, "evangelists".

Since the first event in Hamburg attracted 650 participants, the sport has seen rapid growth. According to the sport's official website, there were more than 40 global races in 2023, attracting over 90,000 athletes and 50,000 spectators.

Combining 8km of running with eight functional fitness zones, it is noted as "The fitness race for everybody". 

As quoted by GQ: “Hyrox is redefining what it means to be fit, traditional gym culture often divides athletes into 'strength' or 'cardio' camps. Hyrox has shattered that mindset, ushering in the era of the Hybrid Athlete - someone who is both strong and well-conditioned."

Jon Malyn, founder of JERK Training, said: "We started in 2021 with some old barrels, rusty dumbbells and some skipping ropes, training out of the back of an old ambulance, since then we have had interest from all ages and abilities from within our local community who want to improve their health and wellbeing and step up to see what they are capable of.

“Right now, everyone wants to participate in Hyrox and we have had to tailor our training schedules to meet this demand. The response has been humbling and inspiring, to see regular people living normal lives achieving incredible personal achievements within such a small community. It’s the best job in the world, set in the best place on earth with some amazing people."