ALACHUA – A fitness competition drawing approximately 200 participants, the start of the fall youth soccer season and a Friday night appearance by youth football and cheer athletes highlighted a weekend of recreational activities in Alachua.
The largest of the events took place Saturday, Aug. 29, when Go Primal Fitness presented a HYROX simulation at the Legacy Multipurpose Center.
Approximately 200 participants from the area competed in the event, which was designed to replicate the format of a HYROX fitness race.
The chip-timed competition alternated 8 kilometers of running with eight functional fitness stations. Participants completed exercises including the SkiErg, sled push and pull, burpee broad jumps, rowing, farmers carries, sandbag lunges and wall balls.
Competitors could enter individually in the solo division or compete with a partner in the doubles division.
HYROX combines running with functional strength and endurance exercises in a standardized race format, allowing athletes with different fitness backgrounds to compete using the same sequence of running segments and workout stations.
According to the city, proceeds generated through the Alachua event will benefit under-resourced families. The release did not specify the amount raised or how the funds will be distributed.
While adults tested their endurance at the Legacy Multipurpose Center, younger athletes began their fall sports activities as well.
The Santa Fe Youth Soccer Alliance opened its fall season with academy activities Friday evening, followed by recreational soccer Saturday. The events marked the first fall activities for the organization’s players.
Youth football and cheer participants also took part in Friday night activities at Santa Fe High School.
Members of Alachua Youth Football and Cheer were invited onto the field before Santa Fe High School’s varsity football game against Zarephath Academy.
The young athletes formed a tunnel for the Fighting Raiders as the varsity players entered the field. The appearance gave participants an opportunity to take part in the high school game-day atmosphere and interact with the Santa Fe football community.
Raiders Boosters provided snacks and refreshments for the youth participants before the game.
Santa Fe, coached by former University of Florida and Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Earnest Graham, hosted Zarephath Academy as part of its 2026 football schedule.
The three events brought together participants ranging from youth recreational athletes to adult fitness competitors at venues across Alachua during the final weekend of August.
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