Amateur Champion to
Elite Contender
My Triathlon Journey
"Kerri-Ann has paid her dues. She has pretty much won everything there is to win as an age-group triathlete, and now she is racing as an elite and really justifying that position"
Doug Hall - XTERRA EMEA Manager
KERRI-ANN UPHAM
From age-group champion to elite contender
I didn't grow up dreaming of becoming an elite athlete. In fact, I was the child who hated exercise. I discovered triathlon at 18, fell in love with the sport, and gradually found myself chasing goals I would never have imagined possible.
After winning age-group World and European Championship titles in 2022, I made the leap into elite XTERRA racing. Since then, I've been learning what it takes to compete against the world's best off-road triathletes, building towards World Cup wins and continuing to push the limits of what I can achieve.
Along the way, I've discovered that the journey is about much more than results. It's about resilience, consistency, the people who support you, and having the courage to keep pursuing a goal even when the path isn't straightforward.
Discovering Triathlon
My uncle Kevin introduced me to triathlon when he was training for an IRONMAN. Through my local club in East Devon, I discovered a sport that challenged me, gave me a community and sparked an ambition I hadn't known I had.
I initially focused on road triathlon and IRONMAN 70.3 racing, but it was my first experiences of off-road racing that changed everything. In 2018, I raced XTERRA Belgium, won my age group and discovered a new passion for the combination of swimming, mountain biking and trail running.
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The journey so far...
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Finding my feet off-road
Under the guidance of my coach, Rob Moore of trimoore Coaching, I progressed through the age-group ranks, collecting World and European titles in cross triathlon and cross duathlon in 2022.
Those results gave me the opportunity to earn my elite licence and take the step I'd been working towards: racing internationally against the world's best.
Moving into elite competition was a steep learning curve. I was no longer measuring myself against the age-group field; I was competing against athletes who had spent years at the highest level. There was a lot to learn, but I was determined to keep improving.
Building towards the next level
The progress has come through years of training, racing, setbacks and lessons learned. I've earned XTERRA World Cup podiums, won XTERRA Belgium, taken silver at the 2026 XTERRA European Championships in Molveno, and become the 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion in the F35–39 age group.
These achievements mean a great deal to me, but they haven't changed the ambition that brought me here.
I want to keep closing the gap to the very best, contend for major XTERRA wins and find out how far I can take my racing.
Elite sport, alongside real life
I balance international racing and a demanding training programme with a part-time job. It's not always straightforward, but it's a big part of my story and something I'm proud of.
I'm fortunate to have a brilliant coach, supportive sponsors and people around me who believe in what I'm trying to achieve. Their support makes this journey possible, and I want to show what's achievable when talent is matched with hard work, patience and commitment.
What's next?
The focus is on continuing to progress in XTERRA, challenging for World Cup wins and exploring what might be possible on the road, too. I'm excited by the opportunities ahead and motivated by the work still to be done.
I'm proud of how far I've come, but I'm not finished yet.
Interested in being part of the journey?
I'm always keen to connect with businesses and partners who share my belief in hard work, progression and the power of sport.
