Big Hill Events will be running the 4th Marathon Challenge; which started with the huge Australian Marathon Championships in 2010. Each year the event has had fantastic reviews, with great marshals and fully stocked European Feed Zones. The course has attracted all different riding abilities from elite riders to local mountain bike riders – all of which have been well respected in the mountain bike community for tackling the toughest mountain bike marathon in Australia.
Regardless of the number of riders, this event has always been run to the highest quality; with Big Hill Events investing time and money into building and maintaining trails, mapping over 90k of course, managing our army of friendly volunteers, setting up the best feed zone stations and offering an event which gave it all back to the riders.
Unfortunately, with such a legendary reputation, the majority of the mountain bike community has been put off by the challenge. Which is why Big Hill Events will be running the last Marathon Challenge of its kind at Avoca on Sunday 17th March 2013, just a week and a half away.
Like any good Marathon, the start is hard and fast at the Marathon Challenge.
For those riders out there who thought “One day, I’ll tackle the Marathon Challenge” Sunday the 17th will be your last chance.
We’d like to thank all the sponsors who have been on board in the past, including Tourism Victoria, The Pyrenees Shire, Mt Avoca Winery, Blue Pyrenees Winery, Peerick Winery, Ground Effects, Degani Bakeries, Total Rush, Nemisis, Shimano, Sport Recovery, Endura and Fitzroy Revolutions.
We’d also like to thank all our volunteers who have helped out over the years, including a special thanks to the Avoca Primary School, Kyneton 4wd Club, St. Arnaud Motorcycle Club, Ballarat District 4wd Club and the Avoca Golf Club (with their fantastic gourmet burgers).
Most importantly we’d like to thank all the riders who have continuingly supported this event, who have toughened up and taken on the challenge every year.
Big Hill Events will continue to support the area, building and riding trails in the Pyrenees state forest, along with organising the trail running event “Run From The Hills” in November each year.
For 2013, this event will be a celebration of the 4 years spent running the Marathon Challenge; Degani bakeries and Endura are supplying food for the feed zones and Ground Effect clothing are supporting our prize packs. With so much activity in Avoca on at the same time – including the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival – this is set to be a weekend to remember.
The Marathon Challenge – 90k or 45k distances and the 4.5-ish hour Enduro around the vineyard this event is a great day out on the bike for all abilities.
Yet again the event has attracted a great mix of riders, including elite riders Adam Cobain, Warrack Leach, Jessica Douglas, Naomi Hansen and Amity McSwan – All up for the challenge.
Online entries for both the Marathon Challenge and the 4.5-ish Enduro will close on Wednesday the 13th March.