XTERRA Greece 2025: A Huge Step Forward 🏊♀️🚴♀️🏃♀️
- Kerri-Ann Upham
- Apr 29
- 4 min read
XTERRA Greece marked the official start of my 2025 season, and wow, what a race it was.
The journey leading up to it had been full of hard work and dedication. Physically, I felt solid after a consistent block of training, including a two-week camp in Lanzarote. I also fitted in a few MTB races to practice my technical skills, which I knew would come in handy. But mentally? I was nervous, it was my first race of the year, and I wasn’t quite sure where I stood. But that excitement to finally race, combined with the mental prep I had focused on, helped me feel ready. I’ve been putting a lot of effort into my mindset this year, reminding myself that I belong here, and that was a key part of my race strategy.
When I arrived in Greece, I immediately felt more at ease. This was my second time racing here, so I knew exactly where to go for coffee, where the best supermarket was, and most importantly, I knew the courses. There’s something comforting about having that familiarity, and I felt dialled in right from the start.
The Swim 🌊
The swim started off strong. I got into a good rhythm and quickly found myself just behind some of the top athletes, including Alizee Paties (the World Cup Series leader) and Marta Menditto. I was feeling confident, but I knew I needed to pace myself and stay relaxed. I couldn’t quite match their speed, and soon found myself swimming alone, but I stayed focused on my own pace. The conditions were perfect, clear, flat, and calm seas, which made it easy to stay efficient. I exited the water in 6th place, just 45 seconds off Marta and Alizee, and 3 minutes behind the leader, Aneta Grabmuller. My swim technique has been a major focus this winter, so I was pleased with how it felt overall.
The Bike 🚵♀️
Transitioning onto the bike, I was on my own, and this is where the mental game really started. No one to chase or keep pace with, just me against the course. I pushed hard on the climbs and flats, while staying smooth and controlled through the technical sections. The bike course was dry, dusty, and tough, but I was locked into my rhythm, focusing on keeping the effort consistent.
At the start of the first lap, I had my head down, focusing on my pace, when I spotted Emma Ducreux ahead. I had already been making a dent in the gap, so I knew I could catch her. By the end of the first lap, I’d reeled her in and overtook her at the start of the second lap — now in 5th place. The second lap felt a little tougher. I knew the run was going to be brutal, so I tried to manage my effort, but I also knew Helena Erbenova, one of the best mountain bikers in the sport, was coming up fast behind me. The whole second lap, I kept an eye on my nutrition, trying to get enough fuel in while maintaining my pace.
Out of nowhere, I spotted Anna Zehnder ahead — just a 45-second gap, and I pushed hard to try and close it, but she held strong. With about 5km to go, I checked over my shoulder and saw Helena was coming for me, and fast. As we neared T2, she caught me, passing me just before the underpass. She was out on the run in front of me, but I wasn’t too discouraged. My bike split was 8 minutes quicker than last year, and I had the 5th fastest bike split overall, which I was stoked about.
The Run 🏃♀️
Now, the run at XTERRA Greece is nothing short of brutal. It’s a 10k, but it feels more like a climb to the top of the world. Steep, rocky ascents that force you to walk, the heat starting to rise — it’s the type of run that tests every ounce of your grit.
When I started the run, I could still see Helena just ahead. I thought maybe, just maybe, I could catch her. On the first lap, I was closing the gap slightly on the climbs, but I wasn’t recovering enough on the flatter sections, and she was pulling away. By the time I hit the second lap, the gap had grown. I gave everything I had, but there was nothing left in the legs to close it down. I finished the race in 6th place, just a minute behind Helena.
Post-Race Reflections 🌟
When I crossed that finish line, I was so happy — 6th place was a huge improvement for me, especially compared to my previous best result in a World Cup (10th place). But what made it even more special was the recognition from the top athletes. Coaches and athletes who I’ve looked up to for years took the time to come over and congratulate me. That meant the world to me. To hear them say they were impressed with my race and my improvement? I was on cloud nine.
Looking Ahead 🚀
This race was a massive boost to my confidence. It reinforced everything I’ve been working on — physically, technically, and mentally. The hard work over the years is really paying off, and I now feel more ready than ever for the rest of the season. Heading into XTERRA UK and XTERRA Belgium, my mindset has shifted. I used to aim for a top 10 finish, but now my sights are set on the top 5. I know I’m capable, and I can’t wait to build on this result.
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