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.
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.
www.bighillevents.com.au