On the Athenian Riviera, XTERRA Greece Vouliagmeni kicks off the European leg of the 2026 XTERRA World Tour from April 24-26. XTERRA first arrived in Greece in 2013 at Lake Plastira before moving to Vouliagmeni in 2016. The seaside venue also hosted the triathlon competition at the 2004 Olympic Games.
Now serving as Stop 2 of the 2026 XTERRA World Cup, the weekend also brings a major opportunity for Youth A, Youth B, Junior, and age group athletes chasing qualification for the XTERRA Youth World Championship and the 30th XTERRA World Championship in Ruidoso, New Mexico.
The schedule brings families and friends together, opening with Friday’s 6K Trail Run before Saturday centers on the Full Distance and Sprint Triathlons with food and entertainment throughout the day. Sunday highlights the Kids Triathlon joined by relays, games, art, and cultural activities for everyone.
Bringing this atmosphere into focus, the following preview highlights a few of the people who know it best and what makes this event special.
Course and Culture
Stamatis Kyriazopoulos, who helps lead XTERRA operations across Europe, sees Vouliagmeni as a place where the course and the country come through clearly:
“The Full Distance course reflects the coastline itself. The swim is clean and easy to follow. The bike can feel fast, but the Mediterranean terrain changes quickly from hardpack to loose ground. Then comes the run and the steep climb everyone remembers, with the view over the gulf waiting at the top.
Greek families and local athletes line the course, calling out names, clapping from the side, and waiting for friends to come through. Away from the racing, Vouliagmeni is easy to settle into, with cafés and places to eat close to the water, the beach never far, and Athens only a short drive away. Many people arrive early in the week, not just to prepare, but to enjoy the setting before the weekend begins.”
Keeping it Off-Road
George Chanoumis, Technical Director of XTERRA Greece Vouliagmeni, has spent years refining the course with the athlete experience in mind:
“Little by little, about four years ago, I started building different trails so we could avoid the road. When I was building it, and even now, yesterday and the day before, when I was out there cleaning the race course, while I’m doing that work, I feel like I’m doing a race too.
I feel that while I’m building a trail, I’m imagining how I would come in with speed on the bike, how it would flow into a really nice technical section, so the athlete can enjoy it, have a good experience, and leave with good reviews.”
World Cup Perspectives
Once an age group athlete into a top ranked elite, Kerri-Ann Upham (GBR) knows Vouliagmeni well and sees this stop as one where women’s field truly stands out:
“The women’s race is wide open this year, which makes it exciting. Marta Menditto (ITA) comes in with strong form after winning the opening World Cup round. Emma Ducreux is a previous winner here and showed in Australia she’s right there, even with a mechanical setback. Dieske Kruisselbrink has had a solid winter with a European Duathlon bronze, and Noemi Bogiatto is building momentum after her recent U23 national duathlon title. Finally, Isla Hedley is an exciting young athlete to watch and one of the emerging names on the circuit right now.”
The elite men’s race marks the 2026 debut of back-to-back XTERRA World Cup Champion Felix Forissier, who arrives looking to halt the momentum of older brother Arthur Forissier after the opening win in Australia. With 36 men vying for the podium, the chase to catch the French brothers up front should be one of the weekend’s most competitive storylines.
Reigning women’s XTERRA World Cup Champion Menditto sums up the stretch ahead: “I think the battle will be on. With five races over four weeks, there are so many points to earn, and it will be important to stay consistent, not just peak for one of them. It’s going to be really exciting.”
XTERRA Greece Vouliagmeni World Cup start list and updates can be found here.
Sharing The Movement
These voices make it clear that Vouliagmeni is welcoming everyone. Upham concludes, “It’s great for spectators because you can watch from the cafés, then head down to the beach to catch the run and the finish. The atmosphere is relaxed but really supportive.”
Hannah-Lee Young (AUS) adds, “while also being on the sidelines supporting loved ones who may be competing, the best part is you can relax on the beach as you see us pound across the sand on our way to the finish line.” Age group and youth athletes can take the words of Ced Smets (BEL) to heart: “It’s the friendship, the camaraderie, the challenge, relaxing, dining together, and enjoying nature.”
Whether taking part, supporting, or just curious, XTERRA Greece Vouliagmeni is a full festival weekend with plenty of highlights to be shared on Instagram @xterraeurope.