Welcome to our podcast coverage of the third Hellenic Mountain Race, supported by Albion, Tailfin, Pertex and STYRKR. 

In this episode, we sit down with Meaghan Hackinen, the women's winner of the 2025 Hellenic Mountain Race. Meaghan crossed the finish line in 4 days, 7 hours, and 10 minutes—over ten hours faster than last year’s winning time—landing her in ninth place overall on the general classification.

Meaghan reflects on her experience racing through Greece, overcoming a her fear of technical mountain biking, and how preparation—both mental and mechanical—set her up for success. She talks through her race strategy, the highs and lows and much more.

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To learn more about the Mountain Races: Hellenic Mountain Race, Silk Road Mountain Race and Atlas Mountain Race, visit our website

Production and hosting by Mel Webb 

Sound design by Ben Crannell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our podcast coverage of the third Hellenic Mountain Race, supported by Albion, Tailfin, Pertex and STYRKR. 

The finish line is finally within reach. After nearly a week on the road and collecting their third stamp, riders are faced with one big final push: 190 km with 6,300 meters of climbing. The most technical terrain is behind them, but this section holds the highest climbing ratio of the entire route. Resupply is sparse and riders will need to load up adequately to fuel themselves to the finish.

Riders featured in this episode: 

• Ariane Richter (Cap 10) 
• Lisa Pacher and Timo Stein (Caps 211A&B) 
• Patrick Majerle (Cap 119)
• Timo Rokitte (Cap 163) 
• Tanner Jackson (Cap 58)
• Sjoerd Ebberink (Cap 153)
• Thomas Quirk (Cap 161) 
• Paul Creusvaux (Cap 123)

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Production and hosting by Mel Webb

Sound design by Ben Crannell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our podcast coverage of the third Hellenic Mountain Race, supported by Albion, Tailfin, Pertex and STYRKR. 

We sit down with Alex McCormack, the 2025 Hellenic Mountain Race winner, just days after his ride to the sea. Alex reflects on his back-and-forth battle with Anatole Naimi, the unrelenting nature of the course, and what it took to hold on for the win. He shares thoughts on sleep strategy, trench foot, bike setup, and how it felt to race with pressure as the favorite. Plus, a few stories about pasta, perfect bivy spots, and the road ahead to Silk Road Mountain Race.

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Click here to Dotwatch the race

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Production and hosting by Mel Webb 

Sound design by Ben Crannell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our podcast coverage of the third Hellenic Mountain Race, supported by Albion, Tailfin, Pertex and STYRKR. 

By Day 5 of the Hellenic Mountain Race, everyone is feeling it. Fatigue is universal, moods are mixed, and the weather, like the terrain, has it's own ups and downs.

In this episode we start at Checkpoint 2 for some of the final riders to arrive ahead of the time cutoff. From there, we leap forward in the field with the goal of reaching Checkpoint 3 in Karpenisi by nightfall. Along the way, riders share stories of the effort it’s taken to make it this far, their plans for the road ahead, and the resolve needed to keep going.

We also hear from those who’ve made the difficult decision not to continue. Scratching might seem like a defeat from the outside, but for some, it’s its own kind of win—a choice to prioritize safety, learning, or experience a new perspective of the race.

As the kilometers wear on, so do shoes, zippers, and minds, and we hear from some riders who've gotten inventive with their gear...

Riders featured:

• Matt Franklin (Cap 98)
• Gabriele Ciacci (Cap 52)
• Gail Brown (Cap 53)
• Stephanie Hall (Cap 155)
• Rachael Carly (Cap 129)
• Mark Gilmour (Cap 89)
• Arianne Richter (Cap 10)
• George Antonakopoulos and Iasonas Mourellos (Caps 208A & 208B)
• Dennis Stegemann (Cap 36)
• Eric House (Cap 44)

Click here to Dotwatch the race

Follow us on Instagram for daily visual updates

Production and hosting by Mel Webb 

Sound design by Ben Crannell

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our podcast coverage of the third Hellenic Mountain Race, supported by Albion, Tailfin, Pertex and STYRKR. 

Tucked into the mountains at the halfway point of the race, Checkpoint 2 has a kind of gravity to it. The views are big, the vibes are laid back, and time starts to melt for everyone who enters the compound.

In today’s episode, reporting from the fourth day of the day, a mechanical sends us off our original plan and straight to the calm pull of the Melissourgi refuge, where we catch up with riders as they collect their second stamp. It’s a place where riders pause, reset, and sometimes forget, just for a while, that there’s still a race to finish. Some riders arrive with a clear plan, determined not to get caught in the magnetism of the place. Brake pads are changed, meals stretch out, and the conversations go long into the evening.

Riders in this episode

• Trey Fortmuller (Cap 79)
• Patrick Majerle (Cap 119)
• Lisa Pacher & Timo Stein (Cap 211A & 211B)
• Sam Liégeois (Cap 145)
• David Whittingham & Jannes Kirschner (Cap 206A & 206B)
• Shona & Rich, The Tandem, Oldfield (Cap 217A & 217B)
• Michael Gaffey (Cap 105)
• Darren Blackwell (Cap 32)
• Matt Franklin (Cap 98)

Click here to Dotwatch the race

Follow us on Instagram for daily visual updates

Production and hosting by Mel Webb 

Sound design by Ben Crannell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our podcast coverage of the third Hellenic Mountain Race, supported by Albion, Tailfin, Pertex and STYRKR. 

All of our riders have now passed Checkpoint 1 and collected their first stamp. Checkpoint 1 marks a key moment in the Hellenic Mountain Race. It’s the first validation official validation of their effort so far and a place to reset, refuel, and reflect. Set in the mountains at Munti Smolikas, the refuge offers heaping bowls of delicious food, a bumpin playlist, and an opportunity to catch up with one another and share stories from the road so far. For many riders, it’s hard to leave.

In this episode, Control Car 3 shares stories collected over 24 hours at CP1. Riders talk about the effort it took to get there, what surprised them, and how they’re adjusting to life on the Hellenic Mountain Race.

Click here to Dotwatch the race

Follow us on Instagram for daily visual updates

Production and hosting by Mel Webb 

Sound design by Ben Crannell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the Hellenic Mountain Race Podcast, supported by Albion, Tailfin, Pertex and STYRKR.

Day two of the Hellenic Mountain Race unfolded under clearer skies, but the lingering mud, fatigue, and technical challenges left little doubt—this race is as tough as it is beautiful. Riders pushed through sodden forests, ancient staircases, and one of the course’s most breathtaking zones: the Vitsa Steps and the Stone Forests of Zagori.

From bushwhacking at 4 a.m. to soaking in the incredible landscape, riders share how they are settling into the journey so far.

Riders Featured:

• Hannah Simon (Cap 57)
• Patrick Majerle (Cap 199)
• Mathieu Segard (Cap 99)
• Eric House (Cap 44)
• Melvin de Groot (Cap 103)
• Lisa Pacher (Cap 211A)
• Kia Binch (Cap 75)
• George Antonakopoulos & Iasonas Mourellos (Caps 208 A&B, mistaken for Michael Zotos & Socrates (Caps 215A & B))
• Gail Brown (Cap 53)
• Shona & Rich Oldfield (Caps 217A & B)

Click here to Dotwatch the race

Follow us on Instagram for daily visual updates

Production and hosting by Mel Webb 

Sound design by Ben Crannell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the Hellenic Mountain Race Podcast, supported by Albion, Tailfin, Pertex and STYRKR. The third edition of the Hellenic Mountain Race kicks off beneath the cliffs of Meteora as nearly 200 riders embark on an epic journey into the Pindus mountains.

In this episode, we hear from a diverse cast of riders, Control Car 3 spending time the day intercepting the midpack. It's early days and most riders greet us with grins plastered across their faces.

From switchbacks and singletrack to snack breaks and salamander rescues, the route winds through dense forest and steep climbs toward the first major resupply in Metsovo. Mid-pack riders find rhythm, leaders push toward checkpoint one, and for many, just reaching the start line is a victory in itself.

Featured Riders:

• Shona & Rich (Caps 217A & B)
• Tanner Jackson (Cap 158)
• Hannah Simon (Cap 57)
• Sienna (Cap 150)
• Michael Gaffey (Cap 105)
• Ivana (Cap 62)
• Torsten (Cap 166)
• Carlotta Schumacher (Cap 23)
• Gail Brown (Cap 53)
• Kia (Cap 75)
• Eric House (Cap 44)
• Jimmy (Cap 68)

Click here to Dotwatch the race

Follow us on Instagram for daily visual updates

Production and hosting by Mel Webb

Sound design by Ben Crannell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the Hellenic Mountain Race Podcast, supported by Albion, Tailfin, Pertex and STYRKR.

Today, we’re in Meteora for registration day. Riders gather beneath the towering cliffs to collect their trackers, run through kit checks, and pick up race caps printed with their dot numbers. The atmosphere is quietly electric—part excitement, part nerves—as the reality of what’s ahead begins to settle in.

In this episode, you’ll meet a handful of riders from the nearly 200-strong field. Some are seasoned ultra racers, others are tackling their first major event. You’ll hear about long journeys to the start line, unexpected detours, and the many reasons people show up to a start line like this one.

The race starts Saturday May 24th at 9AM.

Click here to Dotwatch the race

Follow us on Instagram for daily visual updates

Production and hosting by Mel Webb

Sound design by Ben Crannell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Mel and Nelson sit down in the shadow of the towering Meteora rocks to preview the 2025 edition of the Hellenic Mountain Race. They walk through this year’s course, unique challenges, and highlights—from forested tracks and rocky descents to unforgettable vistas, hearty local tavernas, and warm local people.

Expect insights into the terrain, technical sections, weather forecast, and some standout features along the route. They also share stories and predictions about returning riders and newcomers, spotlighting podium and fan favourites alike. 

Make sure to subscribe to The Mountain Races Podcast wherever you listen for daily updates from the trail. The race kicks off at 9AM local time on Saturday May 24th.

Dotwatch the 2025 Hellenic Mountain Race

Thank you to our race partners:

Albion

Pertex

Tailfin

STYRKR

Production & hosting by Mel Webb

Sound design by Ben Crannell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.