MAM
Hyrox hits full throttle as Bengaluru gears up for record-breaking race
MUMBAI: When fitness meets frenzy, the stopwatch barely stands a chance. Hyrox is flexing its muscles in India once again, and Bengaluru is already feeling the burn. The global fitness racing phenomenon has clocked over 5,000 registrations within days of opening entries for Hyrox Bengaluru 2026, making it one of the fastest-selling races in the country’s Hyrox journey so far.
Scheduled for April 11 and 12, 2026, at Hall 04 of the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre, the two-day format marks a first for Hyrox in India. It also signals just how quickly the sport has sprinted from niche curiosity to mainstream fitness obsession.
The numbers tell their own story. Hyrox debuted in India with 1,500 athletes in Mumbai, scaled up to 2,500 participants in Delhi, and then smashed expectations with more than 3,300 competitors at its second Mumbai edition in September. Bengaluru now looks set to raise the bar yet again, with organisers expecting over 8,000 athletes to hit the course.
Demand has not just been local. Within the first week, athletes from 22 countries signed up, reinforcing India’s growing pull on the global hybrid fitness circuit. The current split stands at 68 per cent men and 32 per cent women, pointing to a steadily diversifying and inclusive community.
For Deepak Raj, Country Head, Hyrox India, the momentum feels personal as well as professional. Bengaluru, he noted, mirrors India’s evolving fitness culture and provides the perfect backdrop for what could become the country’s biggest fitness race weekend to date.
Adding to the stakes, Hyrox Bengaluru 2026 will double up as a qualifier for the Hyrox World Championships in Stockholm in June 2026, putting Indian athletes on a direct pathway to the global stage.
The format remains as brutal as it is addictive: eight one-kilometre runs, each paired with a functional workout station, designed to test endurance, strength and mental grit in equal measure. With Individual, Doubles and Relay Team categories open to participants aged 16 to 78 plus, the event promises a rare blend of elite competition and mass participation.
If early registrations are any indication, Hyrox Bengaluru will not just be a race against the clock, it will be a full-blown statement on how fast India’s fitness culture is learning to run.
MAM
Ameya Velankar steps down as Uber’s head of marketing for India & South Asia
Veteran marketer exits after more than seven years with the ride-hailing giant.
MUMBAI: After more than seven years of steering Uber through the bumpy roads of India’s mobility market, Ameya Velankar has decided to change lanes. Ameya Velankar has stepped down as Head of Marketing for India and South Asia, marking the end of a significant chapter at the ride-hailing company. He had been with Uber since 2019, taking on multiple roles in product and category marketing before rising to lead the marketing function for the region in 2021.
During his tenure, Velankar played a key role in strengthening Uber’s positioning in one of its most competitive and dynamic markets. He helped drive localised marketing strategies and scale adoption across key offerings such as Auto, Moto, Rentals and Intercity, tailoring global platforms to Indian consumer needs.
Prior to joining Uber, Velankar built his marketing expertise at leading consumer companies including SC Johnson and Marico, where he handled category and product leadership roles. His career began at RPG Enterprises.
Details of his next professional move have not been disclosed.
In a fast-evolving mobility landscape where brands constantly battle for attention, Ameya Velankar helped Uber stay relevant and resonant with millions of Indian users. As he moves on from the driver’s seat of marketing, the company will now look for fresh ideas to keep its wheels turning smoothly.
