If you want a proving ground in the Australian endurance mountain biking scene, there’s no higher bar than a win, or even a podium, at the Otway Odyssey. The 18th edition of the Otway Odyssey MTB Marathon will take place on February 24, with the Great Otway Gravel Grind running on February 25. Event organisers Rapid Ascent have reported that 1800 competitors will gather in the small town of Forrest, Victoria, for the weekend of off-road adventures.
Year on year the Odyssey serves up a testing course. It has evolved with time, running as a point to point in the early years, before finding a home in Forrest. The mountain bike races offer a range of distances, from the premier 100km course, to the 50km, 30km, and 10km MTB races, as well as the ‘Grommets ride’ designed especially for kids.
While the pointy end will be dangerously sharp, big news came out that multiple-National MTB Champions and Olympic representatives Bec Henderson and Dan McConnell will both be racing. Throw those names in the mix with Peta Mullens (a 7 times winner), the evergreen Adrian Jackson, 2023 National XC Champion Sam Fox and many others.
“It’s my favourite MTB marathon,” said Mullens. “Challenging, tough and full of singletrack; and I think my consistency on the course pays off!”
In the fiercely contested elite female division, both Mullens and Henderson will be pushed to their limits by the likes of Zoe Cuthbert, Ella Bloor, Samara Sheppard and Courtney Sherwell – all whom have raced the epic trails of Forrest in recent years.
Nine out of the top 10 finishers in the 100km MTB men’s field are also returning and will be facing stiff competition with a line-up that includes reigning champion McConnell and past winners Brendan Johnston and Tasman Nankervis; as well as equally-strong riders Mitch Docker, Sam Fox, Scott Bowden and Sam Chancellor.
As McConnell says, “It’s always a hard day at the Odyssey!”
Competitors will race through forests tall and wild, over mountain ranges high and breath-taking, along single track shaped by the wheels of world champions and weekend warriors. Event Director John Jacoby emphasized the demanding nature of the Odyssey courses, promising participants an unforgettable experience filled with epic descents and challenging climbs.
“We’ve purposely made these courses tough so riders’ can truly test their skill and endurance at an event with a long-standing history,” said Jacoby.
In addition to the MTB races, the Great Otway Gravel Grind, affectionately known as “The GOGG,” will see yet another large field, with over 500 riders. This year marks the 8th edition with riders tackling the scenic 97km and 49km courses through the Otway Ranges.
Participants will traverse smooth, undulating dirt roads, and experience the popular ‘time-out zones’ where they can recharge with a coffee and enjoy sweeping views of the Great Ocean Road region without impacting their race time.
The weekend also includes the Odyssey Angel’s program dedicated to fostering female riders’ involvement in off-road events, offering a number of engaging initiatives such as the optional female-only 30km race start on Sunday.
“We’re thrilled to welcome riders to another exhilarating weekend in the Otways,” said Sam Maffett, General Manager of Rapid Ascent. “As the trails come alive, we can’t wait to witness the passion, camaraderie, and sheer determination displayed by all riders!”
Entries are still open online right up until race morning, with all races starting and finishing amidst a huge bike expo and food festival at the Forrest Football Ground.