As one of the original Austrian Marathons, the Salzkammergut Trophy is hugely popular in its home country. But it is also popular abroad, with a range of nationalities competing. The 2011 event kicks off this coming weekend in Bad Goisern. With distances of 27, 37, 54, 72, 119, and a massive 211km to choose from, there really is something for everyone at this race. There are already over 4000 Marathon Mountain Bike racers entered, and entries are still open.
Among the big names on the entrants list is that of Gary Fisher, who is synonymous with mountain biking. He has attended before and will be back again on the 16th July, taking the start in the 119km course. Alongside him (figuratively speaking) will be MarathonMTB.com Race Team rider Mike Blewitt, who will be returning to the Marathon scene after a few weeks off. MarathonMTB.com also have a guest rider in Vaughan Caseley, head Mountain Bike Leader at MTB Villars, who will also be tackling the 119km course.
As with any big mountain bike event, there is always a ‘sideshow’. Not the Junior Trophy, but this time it is the Unicycle Downhill race. Who would have thought there were enough people to make a race?
The event should be a stunning way to see the Salzkammergut-Dachstein regions Stay tuned next weekend to see what Mike and Vaughan thought of the race, and the experience of competing in Austria’s biggest Marathon.