The Mountain Race Series is three self-supported races on three continents, each thousands of kilometres long, run in a single calendar year. In 2025 Meaghan Hackinen took on all three: Atlas in Morocco, Hellenic in Greece and Silk Road in Kyrgyzstan.
She won two of them and became the first woman to complete the series. We asked her how the year actually went.
Thanks for taking the time. How has the off-season been, and where are you now?
I’m in the East Kootenays—Cranbrook, BC, to be exact! And let me tell you: we’re in peak larch season, and it’s fantastic. I’m dog-sitting for the fall and using the opportunity to reground myself in my writing practice, get out with Gordo the hound, and, of course, explore some of the local gravel and trails. Sometimes I find myself missing the action and adventure of the past nine months, but overall, I’m quite content to enjoy some downtime.
Looking back at the series
You set out at the start of the year to become the first woman to finish all three events. Now that it is done, how does it feel looking back?
It’s a huge thing to hold in my head at once! When I started, I remember feeling intimidated by the challenge I’d set for myself. The only way to move forward was to take it one day at a time. Now, looking back, I can hardly believe how much I experienced over the year: three continents, thousands of kilometres, dozens of mountain passes, and countless memorable interactions along the way. I felt like the best version of myself out there racing. I’m proud that not only of some solid performances, but also that I was able to take it all in. Even on non-stop riding days, I never took for granted what an incredible opportunity this was, and the many years of training, preparation, and mindset work went into making it happen.
Atlas, Hellenic and Silk Road
Was there a moment or a race that defined the year for you?
Oh man, every race had at least one defining moment. In Atlas, it was probably day two, when my lower back started acting up and I had to mentally tolerate the pain for three and a half more days while riding some of the rockiest terrain I’ve ever seen. In Hellenic, it was getting off track in Forest Jail on the first night and navigating slippery stone staircases and ancient bridges—realizing the race was equal parts obstacle course, navigation challenge, and endurance test. And in Silk Road, it was falling into a ravine on the lesser-known Tranquil Valley Trail hike-a-bike. I could have seriously hurt myself, but that lapse of judgment really drove home the stakes and reminded me that, as self-supported racers, we’re responsible for our own risk assessments—based on experience, fatigue, weather, water levels, and more.
Did the year go the way you expected? What surprised you, or taught you the most?
At the start, it was hard even to hold the whole year in my head. I prepared for each race one at a time, never thinking about the next one until I returned home. I learned the most from Atlas. I’ve never loved the saying “we learn more from our mistakes than from our successes,” but maybe that’s because I used to skip over useful self-analysis to chase the next goal. I confess: I went into Atlas a bit underprepared—partly because of a shoulder injury that lingered from December into January, keeping me off the bike while also heightening my anxiety around prep time. Once I returned, I set about addressing my weaknesses: physio for ongoing and new issues, a proper bike fit, and more practice on technical terrain.
The competition is higher than ever and the series is one of the pinnacles of the sport. What is it actually like to be in it?
In the words of the late Mike Hall, speaking about the Trans Am Bike Race: “It’s riding your bike, and then riding it a bit more, and then riding some more.” Of course, there’s also eating, sleeping, and all the personal logistics. But once the preparation is done, it’s just another ride (albeit through some of the most spectacular terrain imaginable). For me, the build-up to each race felt more intense than events I’ve previously done, both because of the Mountain Races’ prestige and my own competitive hopes. But once I got out there and muscle memory kicked in, it was all about maintaining momentum. The carrot at the end: hanging out with other riders for a few days while awaiting the finisher’s party.
Gear, and the line between surviving and racing
Ultra racing has always had a DIY, self-supported ethos. With better and more reliable gear now, has the line between just finishing and racing to win shifted?
Great question. I think the core ethos of self-supported ultra racing hasn’t changed—it’s still about problem-solving, resilience, and being able to take care of yourself out there—but the execution definitely has. With better, lighter, and more reliable gear, riders can focus more of their energy on the actual riding, instead of constantly battling the elements or worrying about equipment failures. While the DIY spirit is still there, the ceiling of what’s possible has been raised, and the right gear lets you ride that fine line between survival and performance a little more gracefully.
How much does dialled equipment — bikes, apparel, bags — matter at the sharp end of these races?
Dialed equipment matters at every level. At the front, it can be the difference between smooth progress and constant setbacks that drag you off the podium. Personally, I don’t want to think about gear while racing, I just want every piece to quietly and reliably do its job. I’m happiest when my bike, apparel, and bags feel like extensions of myself, rather than something external I have to manage. That’s when I can just focus on the ride.
Racing to experience
Your riding is as much about experience as it is about winning. How do you hold onto that while racing at the front?
Aww, thanks! I try to channel that inner kid—the one who always wanted to step through the wardrobe into another world. I clung to the magic of hidden realms and Tolkien-esque quests long after my friends had moved on. Bikepack racing feels like a continuation of that wonder: suddenly I’m the main character in adventures I used to dream about, only now they’re real. And yes, being competitive helps me chase those experiences just a little further.
The women's field
So many women are racing ultras right now. What does the energy of that growing field feel like from the inside?
It’s amazing to be part of this surge of women in ultra racing. Every finish, every new rider on the start line is a reminder that we can push ourselves while cheering each other on. There’s a quiet power in knowing we’re building momentum together while raising the bar. The energy is electric.
You have become a role model for women in ultra and bikepacking. What does that mean to you, and what do you want to see change?
I’m honoured to be part of this movement. Growing up a tomboy, I didn’t have many female role models, and unfortunately internalized a lot of the prevailing misogyny and sexism. I saw myself as “one of the boys” / “not like the other girls”—as if being female was something to overcome. That started to change in high school when I discovered rugby and found, in my older teammates, athletes who I could look up to. In my twenties, I leaned into the roller derby community and took Whip It’s advice to heart: “Be your own hero.”
It’s taken me a long time to find and celebrate strong female role models, and even longer to understand the power of representation. I hope we can continue building momentum so women and underrepresented athletes see themselves in bikepacking—because this adventure is for everyone.
Outside competition
What has riding outside competition been like this year?
Over the season, I’ve had amazing opportunities to train and explore different parts of the world. Before Hellenic, I spent a couple of weeks leading rides at a training camp in Mallorca, and training from my coach’s place in Switzerland. I’ve been intentional about bookending my international races with touring, which lets me immerse myself in a new place without the pressure of a ticking clock. I’m grateful that my part-time work gives me that flexibility.
Closer to home, I didn’t get to all the big rides on my summer bucket list. Travel logistics and planning kept me from some long days out, so I focused on work, gear prep, and the gym instead. That just means I’ll have an even longer list of local rides to tackle next year!
For someone watching from the sidelines, what is most exciting about where ultra racing is headed?
What excites me most is seeing the sport open up: more women, more diverse athletes, and more people discovering that they can cover distance on their own terms. The focus isn’t just on finishing first anymore—it’s on the adventures that happen along the way and the community that makes them possible.
What's next
What is next for you?
In the immediate future, I’m excited to dive into some writing projects I’ve put on hold this year. I’m also easing back into structured training, promising to really listen to my coach and approach my training with a learner’s mindset—open to discovery and new ways of doing things. And yes, the rumours are true: I’ll be back on the Tour Divide in 2026! Even though it’s a course I know, I have a feeling the race itself will feel completely different a second time around—and that’s what excites me most.
Thanks, Meaghan.
Right back at you!
