15 May 2026
Imagine taking part in 8km of running, plus eight demanding strength and endurance workouts in between – and then doing the whole thing again five times over.
That’s the intense challenge which a St Albans tennis coach has set himself to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK.
Sam Pink, 49, who is currently the head coach at Greenwood Park LTC, where he has been coaching for the last 16 years, will be embarking on the gruelling endurance challenge at CrossFit Verulamium on Friday June 5.
He will be aiming to complete five HYROX circuits back-to-back in one day, one of the fastest growing fitness events in the world, and also one of the hardest.
He explained: “For readers who haven’t heard of HYROX before, it’s a fitness race that combines running with functional workout stations. Competitors run 1km, then complete a workout station, repeating that format eight times. The stations include things like sled pushes, sled pulls, rowing, SkiErg, burpee broad jumps, lunges and wall balls.
“What makes it so tough is that you never really recover. Your heart rate stays high throughout, your legs are constantly under fatigue, and every station makes the next run harder. It’s as much a mental challenge as a physical one because you have to keep moving when your body is telling you to stop.
“As far as I know nobody has ever attempted five in one go before. Sport and endurance challenges have always been a big part of my life.
“I’ve completed Ironman triathlons, ultramarathons and a number of extreme endurance events over the years, and I’ve always enjoyed seeing what the body and mind are capable of when pushed.”
Sam has very personal reasons for supporting Cancer Research: “ Like many families, we’ve lost friends and family members to cancer, while others close to us have thankfully survived it. My family also has a genetic predisposition linked to the BRCA gene, which can significantly increase the likelihood of developing cancer.
“This challenge felt like a meaningful way to raise awareness and hopefully raise money for research that genuinely changes lives. This isn’t about fitness — it’s about doing something hard for a cause that matters.”
He’s inviting anyone who wants to support him on the day to come and run alongside him, jump onto one of the stations, or just be there to help push him through.
If you’d like to sponsor his efforts to raise £2,500 for Cancer Research UK, you can donate at Cancer Research UK Fundraiser – 5 HYROXs in One Day
