Singapore couple Christine Lee and Lawrence Khoo defied age expectations by placing third in the HYROX Mixed Doubles race in June 2025. Here’s how strength and endurance training can transform life – even after 50.
The HYROX Open Asian Championships 2025 was nothing short of spectacular. Held at the Singapore National Stadium, this elite international event brought together almost 13,000 athletes from across the globe for two high-intensity days of fierce competition.
And amongst all the world-class performers and highly-conditioned individuals who showed up, one duo from Singapore made quite the impression.
With a time of 1:26:41, husband-and-wife team Christine Lee and Lawrence Khoo cinched third place in the hotly contested Mixed Doubles category.
As they stood on the podium, looking as rugged and fit as any athlete can be, one might be surprised to find that they aren’t as young as they appear.
At 49 and 54 respectively, Christine and Lawrence’s remarkable performance seems to defy age, and stands as a testament to what’s possible when you embrace strength and endurance training – even when it’s later in life.
The Dynamic Duo’s Fitness Journey
Christine and Lawrence didn’t start out as lifelong gym rats.
Their athletic journeys began later in life – at 40 for Christine to manage her backaches, and during the COVID-19 lockdown for Lawrence to keep fit – and have done much to stave off the physical decline associated with ageing.
“I used to worry about things like balance and joint pain,” said Christine, “but consistent strength training has helped reinforce my joints, especially the knees and hips.”
Beyond supporting bone health and mobility, her exercise regime has also been effective in easing chronic pain.
“Strength training has made a world of difference,” she affirmed. “Building core strength and improving overall mobility have significantly reduced my back pain. I feel stronger, more stable, and far more capable of handling daily movement.”
But strength and endurance training doesn’t just impact one’s physical wellbeing – it also helps enhance cognitive function.
“When I first started home workouts during the lockdown, it was just to stay active. But over time, I noticed better energy levels, improved focus at work, and even better sleep,” Lawrence observed. “I no longer feel sluggish, and my posture and stamina have improved, too.”
These changes have been pivotal to their quality of life.
“Strength training, combined with cardio, has given me a better sense of physical control and endurance,” Lawrence asserted. “I feel like I’ve added resilience to my body that’s crucial as I get older.”
They are a success story by any means – but their path to victory wasn’t always smooth.
When Challenging Themselves Became a Challenge
HYROX, an 8km run interspersed with functional workouts, can be extremely demanding on the body, even for competitors in their prime. This meant that for Christine and Lawrence, training wasn’t just about pushing themselves to the limit; they also had physical constraints to work around.
“Incorporating functional movement and mobility exercises into my weekly training has become essential,” Lawrence divulged. “Unlike younger athletes who might not need as much of these exercises or stretching, I find them crucial for maintaining flexibility and preventing injuries.”
Injury prevention can be an especially important consideration, particularly if the body has already taken a hit in the past.
“Lawrence has a history of slipped discs,” said 37-year-old Faiz Arifin, the couple’s trainer at Ultimate Performance. “So, I have to be very cautious when it comes to posterior exercises with him and also increase weight gradually, depending on how he feels on that particular day.”
Lawrence would also make little adjustments to his workouts depending on the day.
“When I noticed any discomfort or minor injuries, I made sure to give that particular part of my body the rest it needed. For example, if my shoulders weren’t feeling their best, I would shift my focus to lower body exercises. This way, I could still maintain my fitness routine without putting unnecessary strain on the affected area.”
While age hasn’t made as strong a mark on Christine, she, too, emphasises the importance of recovery.
“For me, it’s less about slowing down and more about training smarter – maintaining consistency, staying disciplined, and giving my body the rest and fuel it needs to perform at its best.”
Working as a Team
While quitting was never on the table, it didn’t mean there weren’t any personal hiccups along the way.
“There were moments when I felt stressed or fatigued,” Christine admitted, “but instead of thinking about stopping, I would just ease the pace, take a breath, and remind myself that ultimately, it’s just a race. My goal has always been to show up, give my best, and enjoy the experience – so even when it feels tough, I focus on that mindset.”
Competing together also gave them a stronger sense of purpose, their bond helping them push through tough moments.
“There were definitely days when I felt like skipping a run or just resting – especially after long workdays,” Lawrence professed. “But Christine’s consistency was inspiring. She never pressured me, but her discipline motivated me to show up too.”
In fact, working as a team created a unique psychological advantage – which Faiz definitely took notice of.
“Their mentality is just top-notch,” he declared. “They do have their banter during training, but it’s all about pushing each other to their very best. They don’t like to lose and always try to be better in every session.
“Both of them are really match-made in heaven!”
They weren’t just competing for themselves; they were doing it for each other. That added layer of support made a huge difference in their performance, an inspiring feat considering they had no former experience in competitive sports.
“Since it was their first HYROX, I already sensed that they were not only going there for the experience but to place somewhere on the podium,” said Faiz. “Their mind was already set since they signed up. To give their best and win.”
Beyond the Podium Finish
The success they’ve achieved thus far has given the couple greater confidence moving ahead in their daily lives, not just individually, but as a pair.
“Whenever we hit a tough patch at work or in life, we remind ourselves, ‘Hey, we accomplished HYROX together. We can get through this, too,’” joked Lawrence.
And they’re not stopping anytime soon. They’re already preparing for their next HYROX race, which is scheduled for November.
“I used to think I wasn’t ‘the athletic type’ and that strength training was for younger people. But now I know that age is not a barrier. In fact, building strength becomes even more important as we age,” Christine highlighted.
Their message is clear: it’s never too late to start.
“The key is to just begin, with something you enjoy and can sustain,” she advised.
“Don’t wait until you “feel ready.” Start where you are, with what you have,” Lawrence agreed. “You don’t have to go all out – just take the first step. The biggest hurdle is usually mental. Once you get started, you’ll realise your body is capable of far more than you think.”
External References
- Bowman, A. (2024, September 27). The many benefits of resistance training as you age. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from: https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/healthy-aging/the-many-benefits-of-resistance-training-as-you-age/
- Mayo Clinic Staff. (2023, April 29). Strength training: Get stronger, leaner, healthier. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/strength-training/art-20046670
- Yeong, J. (2025, June 30). HYROX Open Asian Championships 2025 Delivers Epic Weekend as Singapore Gears Up for Round Two at Singapore Expo this November. Sport Plus. Retrieved from: https://www.sportplus.sg/post/hyrox-open-asian-championships-2025-delivers-epic-weekend-as-singapore-gears-up-for-round-two-at-sin
