Hundreds of athletes will compete at Melvin Sports Complex in Strabane on Saturday in the first large-scale Hyrox simulation event hosted by Derry City and Strabane District Council.

The Mayor-rox fundraiser, organised with Maiden City Games, has drawn almost 300 registered participants across solo, relay and Half-Rox categories. Proceeds will support PIPS Suicide Prevention Ireland and the Castlederg Patient Comfort and Terminally Ill Fund.

Mayor Ruairí McHugh will take part in the Team Relay section at 1.20pm alongside Councillor Aisling Hutton, Nora McGowan and Paul McGarvey. The event opens at 8.30am with the Males Doubles section and is scheduled to finish around 4pm.

The competition follows the official opening of a £3.2 million upgrade at the same venue. The works, delivered by OB Construction, added a dedicated boxing facility, a multi-use sports hall for gymnastics, new changing rooms, a Changing Places facility and accessible parking.

Sport NI provided £1,845,000 through its National Lottery Funded Multi Facility Fund. The design was developed in consultation with Disability Sport NI to meet inclusive sports facility standards.

Mayor McHugh formally opened the upgraded complex. He said the new facilities represent a significant addition to sports provision in Strabane and will benefit multiple user groups.

Anchor tenants Mourne Golden Gloves Boxing Club, Lisnafin ABC Boxing Club and Melvin Gymnastics held demonstrations at the opening. Sport NI Chair Gavin Boyd said the investment creates opportunities for people of all abilities to participate in sport.