Building Momentum: Kerri-Ann Upham's 2025 XTERRA Season with the XMiles Performance Team

2025 has been a breakthrough year, one that’s shown me what’s possible when small, consistent steps start to stack up. From my first XTERRA elite victory to standing on the European Championship podium and rounding off the year with my best-ever World Championship performance, it’s been a season of real progress.

But I’m nowhere near done.

What XTERRA Is All About

For those unfamiliar, XTERRA is the off-road side of triathlon, combining an open-water swim, mountain-bike leg, and a trail run. It’s raw, unpredictable, and demanding in a way that tests both skill and grit. No two courses are ever the same, which is what keeps me hooked: you have to adapt, problem-solve, and fight all the way to the finish line.

A Season to Remember

When I set my goals at the start of the year — a top-10 in a World Cup race and a top-15 in the world rankings, they felt ambitious. Achievable, maybe, but a real stretch.

Looking back now, I’ve not only hit those goals but gone beyond them. Winning my first XTERRA elite race in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, taking bronze at the European Championships, and finishing the XTERRA season ranked inside the World Cup top 10 and 12th at the World Championships are results I’m genuinely proud of. Each one represents another step forward, the product of years of learning, refining, and showing up consistently in training and racing.

I also switched gears later in the season, taking the overall win at IRONMAN 70.3 Weymouth, which earned me qualification for the 2026 World Championships in Nice. It’s a different challenge, but one I’m excited to take on, and it’s already given me fresh motivation heading into next season.

The Process Behind the Progress

Progress in triathlon doesn’t come from one big change; it’s built on countless small ones. I’ve learned to be consistent with both the big things and the little things, to find what works, build reliable processes, and learn quickly when things don’t go to plan.

That same mindset applies to my nutrition, and that’s where XMiles has made a real difference this season. One of my main goals this year was to increase my carb intake from 60g to 80g per hour, and through training and racing with XMiles products, I’ve been able to do that confidently, now pushing towards 90–100g per hour in races.

Practising race-day nutrition in training has been key to improving both performance and recovery.

Fuelled by XMiles

My favourite part about working with XMiles is the pick-and-mix element. It gives me the freedom to stick with what I know works while still experimenting and discovering new products.

As part of the XMiles Performance Team, we also get to test and review products — which is how I discovered STYRKR BAR50, now a firm favourite. My go-to fuelling staples include:

• PF 60 chews
• PF 30 gels
• SiS Beta Fuel gels
• SiS Beta Fuel chews
• SiS Rego Whey Recovery
• PILLAR Performance for daily recovery and health.

I’ve also enjoyed exploring newer brands through XMiles like 33Fuel, Beet IT, Amacx and truefuels, all offering innovative options for endurance athletes.

What really sets XMiles apart is their flexibility and value. You’re not stung for ordering one or two items, which makes it easy to mix and match without committing to a big box of something untested. Add in the free samples and opportunities to test new products, and it’s the perfect setup for athletes looking to dial in their nutrition with confidence.

Looking Ahead

This season has given me belief — that I belong at the sharp end of XTERRA racing, and that the path I’m on is the right one. For 2026, my aim is to build on this year’s results, target more podiums, and push into the top 10 in the XTERRA world rankings. Alongside that, I’ll take on the 70.3 World Championships in Nice, where I’d love to be in the mix for an age-group win.

I’m proud of what I’ve achieved this year, but more than anything, I’m motivated by what’s still ahead. The foundations are there. Now it’s about seeing how far I can go.