Another weekend, another Marathon! This Saturday 10th September marks the inaugural running of the Bottlebutt 100 and the Hairy Butt 50, at Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia. They are the fourth round of the exciting Real Insurance XCM Series. In a novel and helpful change, a tent city is being provided for hassle free camping at the event.
The Real Insurance XCM Series has brought a new level of professionalism to Marathon races in NSW in 2011. With an overall pointscore and prize purse, top r iders are encouraged to get to all the rounds. Improved publicity and stacked fields have made all rounds thus far great events. This weekend should prove the same again.
Although the mens top three seems very secure, with Matt Fleming leading Anthony Shippard and James Downing. MarathonMTB.com’s own Justin Morris is placed fourth, but by his own admission, it’s a big gap to third. With the Crocodile Trophy drawing ever nearer, Justin will no doubt be racing hard to make sure he is well prepared for the ‘Croc’ with the Subaru/MarathonMTB.com team.
The womens ranking is still quite open, with Sue Thompson leading Jenny Fay and Vanina Vergoz. Fay has signed for Rockstar Racing, and will no doubt be highly enthused to do her new sponsor proud.
Various Mountain Bike forums have been busy with weather reports for the weekend. Coastal NSW has not been kind to Marathon Mountain Bike racing this year. Let’s hope wet weather stays at bay, and that it’s a great day out for all racers, especially with the ice cream and fruit salad on offer at the finish!