In a move that should create plenty of excitement in mountain biking circles, Rocky Trail Entertainment have announced that the 2017 JetBlack 24 Hour race will move to a new venue for the event – all the way to Awaba Mountain Bike Park in Olney State Forest near Newcastle.
Running over 18-19 February in 2017, the venue is likely to be hot and dry – but not as hot as some prevous editions of the JetBlack 24hr at Mt Annan.
Race Director Martin Wisata said that this will be the first time that such a long event will be held on the home trails of the local Hunter Mountain Bike Association and all its best trail sections would be linked up to a giant 24-hour circuit.
“The JetBlack 24 Hour has been on the Rocky Trail calendar since 2009 and we’ve raced around the clock at a holiday resort, a botanic garden and a winery and for this next one we’re going bush”, he confirmed.
Photo: GiRoPhoto
Participants can race for 24 hours solo or in teams or pick one of the 6+6 hour categories, which allow riders to get some rest overnight. The 6 + 6 version has become popular for marathon racers as a way to get some training and racing crammed into a weekend, with socialising between the two mega sessions. As the JetBlack 24hr falls before many of the major marathons on the Australian calendar, the 6+6 might be a perfect race for marathon specialists to target.
The event will be held on custom-built singletrack that make Awaba one of the most-loved mountain bike destinations on the East Coast. It will take its racers deep into the rainforest on the foothills of the Watagans.
Online registration will open on 3 October at 3pm via the Rocky Trail website and spots are limited to 350 riders with the event likely to be a sell-out.
“We’re really passionate about 24 hour racing. We’ll put together an awesome racing circuit and will bring our racers a fantastic show at Awaba, that’s for sure”, Rocky Trail’s Race Director promises.