East Devon's Kerri-Ann UphamPlayer·Kerri-Ann Upham delivered a career-defining performance on June 20, 2026, securing a silver medal at the XTERRA European Championships held in Molveno, Trentino, Italy. This achievement represents her most significant result to date in elite off-road triathlon.
Upham, who honed her skills in East Devon and attended Honiton Community College, completed the demanding course in 3:14:09. She finished second in the elite women's race, trailing only France's Alizée PatiesPlayer·Alizée Paties, who clinched the gold medal with a time of 3:08:01. Italy's Marta Menditto rounded out the podium, earning third place in 3:16:33.
The XTERRA European Championships is a rigorous off-road triathlon, testing athletes across three disciplines: a 1.5-kilometer open-water swim, a challenging 35-kilometer mountain bike ride, and a 10-kilometer trail run. The 2026 event in Molveno was not only a battle for European titles but also a crucial stop for accumulating XTERRA World Cup points and securing qualification for the upcoming 2026 World Championship.
Upham expressed profound satisfaction with her performance, particularly given the nature of the course.
"This result means a huge amount to me. Molveno has never been a course I felt naturally suited my strengths, so to come away with a European Championship silver medal is incredibly special. It's the biggest performance of my career so far and a real reward for the consistency and hard work that's gone into this season"— Kerri-Ann Upham.
She further elaborated on the personal significance of the medal, noting that she had always found the Molveno course challenging and had even considered not competing this year. However, months of dedicated training and preparation culminated in a cohesive race-day effort. Upham also highlighted the positive atmosphere surrounding the event, describing it as a "proper adventure out there. Up in the mountains, wonderful views, it's amazing."
This silver medal continues a remarkable breakthrough season for Upham. In 2025, she celebrated her first XTERRA elite race victory in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France, and earned a bronze medal at the European Championships in Prachatice, Czech RepublicVenue·Czech Republic, in August of that year. Her consistent form also saw her achieve a fourth-place finish at XTERRA Czech and a sixth-place finish at another XTERRA European Championships earlier in 2025. By October 2025, Upham was ranked 13th in the XTERRA World Rankings and within the top 10 of the XTERRA World Cup Series Ranking. She also secured a career-best 12th place at the XTERRA World Championships, also held in Molveno, Italy, in September 2025. Her progress has been steady and significant since turning elite in 2023.
Upham's latest achievement at the XTERRA European Championships in Molveno solidifies her position as a formidable contender in the elite off-road triathlon circuit. This performance, combined with her strong results throughout the 2025/26 season, sets a promising trajectory for her in upcoming XTERRA World Cup races and the highly anticipated 2026 World Championship.
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