The Hidden Battles and Unbreakable Bonds at XTERRA Worlds

For so many in XTERRA, Lorenn Walker needs little introduction. The embodiment of XTERRA’s spirit and grit, Walker stands alone with an unmatched record of 24 XTERRA World Championship finishes. Known for her extraordinary endurance and tenacity, she has reached the podium in all but one World Championship and remains the only age-group athlete with ten first-place finishes. Also a two-time Ironman finisher, Walker made history as the first woman over 40 to complete both the Ironman and XTERRA World Championship races just days apart.

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Yet at XTERRA Worlds 2024, she faced a new challenge. From the start, something was off, calling on her to dig deeper than ever before. In recounting her race, Walker reveals how the hardest battles aren’t always against competitors or rugged terrain, but how, time and again, it’s the power of community that pulls us through.

The first clue that something was wrong hit me just after the swim. As I climbed onto my bike, a strange buzzing filled my ears. It was like a swarm of bees—but there was nothing around me. Then it struck me: the buzzing was inside my head. “Must’ve been that freezing water,” I thought, brushing off the unease and focusing on the trail ahead.

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Pushing on as best I could through the bike course, I arrived at the first wooden feature— a man-made structure designed to simulate a steep natural incline. I’d ridden it before with no issue, but the rider in bright orange just ahead of me wasn't so lucky. She stumbled, toppled, and sprawled across the path. I had no choice but to slam on my brakes, crashing into her as the riders behind piled up. A few shouts of surprise and frustration followed, but soon we were all helping each other untangle the chaos, getting back on our bikes. My Garmin watch vibrated wildly—“INCIDENT DETECTION” flashed across the screen. 

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That’s how my 24th XTERRA World Championship began—the hardest race of my life, and the one where the XTERRA Community carried me to the finish.

My XTERRA Journey

My history with XTERRA Worlds dates back to 1999, when I first took on the challenge in Maui. That year, there were only eight women over 40 competing; two of us finished, and I was the oldest. Fast forward to 2024, and over 110 women aged 40 and above completed the toughest race in off-road triathlon—proof that age is just a number. We may slow down, but we never stop pushing ourselves. For me, XTERRA Worlds has become an annual tradition, a testament to the power of resilience and the beauty of growing stronger with age.

“We may slow down, but we never stop pushing ourselves.”

But the real magic of XTERRA isn’t just the breathtaking mountain bike trails, the lake swims, or the muddy trail runs. It’s the community—a group that understands that true strength comes from facing adversity head-on. Each year, I plan things around Worlds, knowing that the event is far more than a competition. It’s a celebration of overcoming the unseen challenges that life throws at us, and this year a completely unexpected challenge lay ahead for me. 

A Cold Start in Molveno

This year, XTERRA Worlds returned to the stunning alpine village of Molveno. Nestled in the heart of the Dolomites, the village is a splash of green amid gray and white peaks, with Lake Molveno’s turquoise waters sparkling like the seas of Tahiti. It’s a magical setting—if a bit chilly. The swim was halved to 750 meters due to the cold, but the sun was out, and excitement buzzed through the crowd as each wave of colored caps dove into the icy water.

As I transitioned from the water to the bike, the freezing air hit hard. I was shivering, regretting not taking the time to grab my jacket. The cold seeped into my wet tri-suit, and as I began the first ascent, I noticed something was off. Trails I’d ridden countless times were suddenly impossible to manage. My body felt weak, and when I tried to remount my bike after a short stop, I couldn’t even lift my leg over the frame.

“The cold seeped into my wet tri-suit, and as I began the first ascent, I noticed something was off.”

I was baffled and frustrated—what was wrong with me? Kind competitors rode past, calling out encouragement: “You’ve got this! Keep going!” Their words pushed me forward, even as a strange fatigue settled deep in my bones.

The Silent Fight

The mud-caked hills were unrelenting. Sections I had confidently ridden in previous years now seemed impassable. I pushed my bike up slopes, willing my body to keep moving. A few compassionate Taiwanese women passed by, urging me on with friendly words. We agree that the trails of Taiwan could be a good fit for us.

It was the slowest mountain bike segment of my XTERRA career, and by the time I reached the run, five hours had slipped by. I was exhausted—physically, mentally, emotionally. I struggled to find my rhythm on the 10K trail run, my legs barely responding.

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But the XTERRA spirit found me even then. Near the end of the first lap, I heard a familiar voice—my long-time friend, competitor, and XTERRA legend Barbara Peterson. We met 25 years ago at XTERRA Worlds in Maui, and ever since, she’s become like family and always an inspiration. She stumbled, regained her footing, and came up beside me. “Are you okay? Is this your second lap?” she asked. “No,” I managed, feeling the weight of the race bearing down. Her presence was a comfort, even as she pushed on, moving faster than I could.

“I was exhausted—physically, mentally, emotionally. I struggled to find my rhythm on the 10K trail run, my legs barely responding.”

In the second lap, a strong and compassionate Tahitian woman stopped mid-race to offer encouragement. She gently placed a hand on my back and whispered words of support that made my eyes well with tears. “You are amazing,” she said, urging me forward. Being from Hawai‘i, I understand the warmth and kindness of Pacific Islanders—the Hawaiian and Māori people are descendants of the Tahitians, who are among the kindest people in the world. Her kindness stayed with me, propelling me toward the finish line.

Crossing the Line 

Nearly seven hours after the start, I crossed the finish line—utterly spent but grateful. The next morning, I woke up feeling like I’d been hit by a truck. “Must be Barbara’s flu,” I thought as I packed up my gear. I was headed to Lake Como to give a talk at Insubria University, so I kept my distance from everyone, still believing I’d just caught a cold.

“Nearly seven hours after the start, I crossed the finish line—utterly spent but grateful.”

But back in Hawaii, my doctor gave me the real diagnosis: COVID. Shocked, I reflected on the race with a new perspective. I hadn’t just been fighting the course; I’d been fighting a virus that had quietly drained my strength. And to anyone I might have unknowingly passed the virus onto, I offer my sincerest apologies. At the time, I had no idea what I was carrying.

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Barbara, devastated when she later tested positive as well, worried that she’d “ruined” my race. But there’s no room for blame in XTERRA. Challenges are part of the journey, and hardship is what unites us. Venting might offer temporary relief, but dwelling on what’s lost only deepens the pain. Instead, I chose to focus on the triumphs—on those who overcame the impossible, on the kindness of strangers, and on the unbreakable spirit of the XTERRA Community.

Moving Forward, Together

The 2024 XTERRA World Championship cemented my belief that this community is extraordinary. It’s the riders who stop to check on a stranger, the volunteers who cheer until they’re hoarse, the friends who race alongside you even when the going gets tough. It’s a reminder that the unseen battles are often the hardest—and that no one crosses the finish line alone.

“It’s a reminder that the unseen battles are often the hardest—and that no one crosses the finish line alone.”

In Hawaii, we say imua—move forward with courage. That’s what XTERRA is all about. It’s not just about winning medals; it’s about facing down every obstacle, seen or unseen, and coming out stronger. I’ll be back next year, and every year I am able, pushing forward with the strength of this community beside me.