Mikil Ron 0153 AE086

Tawara MTB Marathon Race

Event details by: Mikil Ron 0153 AE086
When it comes to mountain bike challenges, they do not come much tougher or more rewarding than the Tawara Marathon Race. This legendary 24-hour mountain bike endurance
event has run every year since 2006 and has become one of the mainstays of the mountain bike event calendar. It provides an opportunity for leisure riders to join the very best
endurance racers for a weekend of mountain bike racing at one of the best venues available. The event is held on the weekend of the Summer Solstice as the first day of summer
provides maximum hours of daylight. This year’s event will be held at Rosewood Park from 19 to 21 June.

The venue offers space and facilities for camping on site and a family-friendly festival atmosphere is present throughout the whole weekend. Along with the lively event village and
the ongoing race commentary, there is plenty to keep all entertained. There are trade stands, bike demonstrations, live music, relaxation areas and a children’s play area. There are
also a host of food and drink stands.

be subject to change. Daily schedules and start lists are posted on various notice
Event Format boards around the park during the event itself.
The event follows the traditional MTB marathon format with riders completing as An approved bicycle helmet must be worn at all times during practice and
many laps of the 14km course as they can in the time allowed. As long as a lap has competition. Failure to meet this requirement may result in immediate
been started before the finish time it can be completed. With lots of different disqualification from the event. At night all riders must have a red rear flashing
categories in each race there is something to appeal to all levels and ability of rider light, a white front light and a spare white light (this can be a second front light,
from recreational and novice riders through to very experienced cross-country head lamp or a small torch). Our lighting partners will be on hand to keep your
racers. The event is planned to be endurable and enjoyable whilst testing fitness, light batteries charged throughout the night. Riders are permitted to carry mobile
stamina and mental toughness on a technical, but achievable route. The emphasis is phones or 2-way radios on the course, but these must not use earpieces, and the
firmly on participation, enjoyment and fun for all involved, whether riders, family rider must stop and pull off the course to use them. Headphones and musical
members, spectators or support crew. playing devices are not permitted for riders whilst on the course.

Organisation Entry Categories

The event is made up of three separate races that are entirely off-road, and all The weekend offers riders the option of competing in a full 24-hour race, or one of
involve some form of night riding. Competitors can tackle the event as a solo rider, two 12-hour races. All races are open to solos riders, pairs and teams of four, five
in a pair, or in various team configurations. There are two safety points on the or eight. Entering as a team or pair will make the weekend more sociable and
course manned by marshals. All riders are issued with a timing chip to ensure the enjoyable. Riding the first 12-hour race means riders are finished by midnight and
event is timed with absolute accuracy and reliability. can then socialise and support the heroic riders who are continuing for the full 24
hours.
The 24-hour race runs from midday Saturday through to midday Sunday. One 12-
hour race starts at midday Saturday, and the other starts at midnight on Saturday. The minimum entry age for all competitive races is 18. The age of a rider is
Competitors must complete their last lap within an hour of the finish time. Please calculated on 31 December of the year that the race is held. Riders entering age
note that any rider returning an hour after the finish time will not be counted. categories will be required to produce a photo ID at registration showing their date
of birth. A rider can only enter one of the following categories in the race:
Site preparation takes place in the week before the event. Public riding of the
course is prohibited during this time. The daily programme is provisional and may

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Entry Options opportunities. With at least half of the event taking place in the dark, the course has
been designed to be rideable for the full 24 hours regardless of weather conditions.
Category Age Max Riders Notes
More experienced riders. The course is between Blue and Red in technical difficulty. The descents are
Solo 18+ Only pit crew and other mixed, most are Red, with some between Red and Black. However, on this natural
1 riders for company. Must surface conditions can change quickly, especially in bad weather.
Solo Veteran 40+ be able to perform well
Junior Race
without any sleep. One of the highlights of the weekend is the junior race. Categories are spilt into age
Relay format, riding groups and based on the age of the child on the day of the event:
shared. Pair decide team
Pairs 18+ 2  Vipers – under 16
tactics and how many laps
each rider completes.  Bison – under 12
Relay format with men,  Camels – under 10
women and mixed teams.  Coyotes – under 8
Team Open 18+ 4
Spreads the load, requires
The junior race is run as a three-stage event featuring a 2.5km Time Trial and a Dirt
strategy and planning. Crit on the Friday with the final stage being the traditional 12- and 24-minute races
Combined age 170+ for 4 on Saturday morning.
Team Veterans 40+ 5
riders, 210+ for 5 riders.
Up to 8 riders in relay
format. Less demanding for
Facilities and Camping
Easy Rider 16+ 8
individuals. Suits work Rosewood Park is a lovely setting, and the event attracts more families every year.
groups or clubs. The venue has lots of space for camping with showers, toilets, trade stands, bike
shops, bike wash, massage, entertainment and mechanical support. There is plenty
to keep the children entertained including their own races as part of the schedule.
Within each category, the rider or team who has completed the most laps is the Dogs are welcome but should be kept on a lead during the weekend and respect the
winner. For riders on the same number of laps, the rider who has completed them in wildlife that live in the park. It is not necessary to book a campsite pitch, but early
the shortest total race time will receive the higher placing. Prizes are awarded for arrivals get the prime spots. You are never more than 100 metres from the track,
the top three in all categories. and everything is within walking distance.
Every participant is allocated a 3m x 3m pit area which is included in the entry fee. Last year’s event was a huge success with over 2000 competitors which, combined
Event entry also entitles entrants and their supporters to up to four nights camping with all their families and support crew, saw almost 4000 people camping at
which makes for a great value long weekend. Rosewood Park. Access to the event is by ticket only which must be purchased in
advance. With three great days of competition planned and lots of other activities in
The Course and around the park tickets are selling fast. Book your place now to avoid
disappointment.
The racecourse is just over 14km long and features 140m of elevation per lap. The
route is a testing circuit that incorporates river crossings, technical descents,
challenging climbs and plenty of twisting and fast single track through the woods.
It provides rock garden climbs, switchbacks and fast flowing descents. The course
has a superb reputation for variety and fun riding with plenty of overtaking