Justina Haymen

Tawara MTB Marathon Race

Event details by: Justina Haymen
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.

Site preparation takes place in the week before the event. Public riding of the
Event Format course is prohibited during this time. The daily programme is provisional and
may be subject to change. Daily schedules and start lists are posted on
The event follows the traditional MTB marathon format with riders completing
various notice boards around the park during the event itself.
as many laps of the 14km course as they can in the time allowed. As long as
a lap has been started before the finish time it can be completed. With lots of An approved bicycle helmet must be worn at all times during practice and
different categories in each race there is something to appeal to all levels and competition. Failure to meet this requirement may result in immediate
ability of rider from recreational and novice riders through to very experienced disqualification from the event. At night all riders must have a red rear flashing
cross-country racers. The event is planned to be endurable and enjoyable light, a white front light and a spare white light (this can be a second front
whilst testing fitness, stamina and mental toughness on a technical, but light, head lamp or a small torch). Our lighting partners will be on hand to
achievable route. The emphasis is firmly on participation, enjoyment and fun keep your light batteries charged throughout the night. Riders are permitted
for all involved, whether riders, family members, spectators or support crew. to carry mobile phones or 2-way radios on the course, but these must not use
earpieces and the rider must stop and pull off the course to use them.
Organisation Headphones and musical playing devices are not permitted for riders whilst
on the course.
The event is made up of three separate races that are entirely off-road and
all involve some form of night riding. Competitors can tackle the event as a
solo rider, in a pair, or in various team configurations. There are two safety
Entry Categories
points on the course manned by marshals. All riders are issued with a timing The weekend offers riders the option of competing in a full 24-hour race, or
chip to ensure the event is timed with absolute accuracy and reliability. one of two 12-hour races. All races are open to solos riders, pairs and teams
of four, five or eight. Entering as a team or pair will make the weekend more
The 24-hour race runs from midday Saturday through to midday Sunday. One
sociable and enjoyable. Riding the first 12-hour race means riders are
12-hour race starts at midday Saturday, and the other starts at midnight on
finished by midnight and can then socialise and support the heroic riders who
Saturday. Competitors must complete their last lap within an hour of the finish
are continuing for the full 24 hours.
time. Please note that any rider returning an hour after the finish time will not
be counted. The minimum entry age for all competitive races is 18. The age of a rider is
calculated on 31 December of the year that the race is held. Riders entering

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 Justina Haymen
age categories will be required to produce a photo ID at registration showing flowing descents. The course has a superb reputation for variety and fun
their date of birth. A rider can only enter one of the following categories in the riding with plenty of overtaking opportunities. With at least half of the event
race: taking place in the dark, the course has been designed to be rideable for the
full 24 hours regardless of weather conditions.
Entry Options
The course is between Blue and Red in technical difficulty. The descents are
Category Age Max Riders Notes
mixed, most are Red, with some between Red and Black. However, on this
Solo 18+ 1 More experienced riders.
natural surface conditions can change quickly, especially in bad weather.
Solo Veteran 40+ Only pit crew and other
riders for company. Must be
able to perform well without Junior Race
any sleep.
Pairs 18+ 2 Relay format, riding shared. One of the highlights of the weekend is the junior race. Categories are spilt
Pair decide team tactics and into age groups and based on the age of the child on the day of the event:
how many laps each rider
completes. • Vipers – under 16
Team Open 18+ 4 Relay format with men, • Bison – under 12
women and mixed teams. • Camels – under 10
Spreads the load, requires • Coyotes – under 8
strategy and planning.
Team Veterans 40+ 5 Combined age 170+ for 4 The junior race is run as a three-stage event featuring a 2.5km Time Trial
riders, 210+ for 5 riders. and a Dirt Crit on the Friday with the final stage being the traditional 12- and
Easy Rider 16+ 8 Up to 8 riders in relay format. 24-minute races on Saturday morning.
Less demanding for
individuals. Suits work
groups or clubs.
Facilities and Camping
Rosewood Park is a lovely setting and the event attracts more families every
Within each category, the rider or team who has completed the most laps is year. The venue has lots of space for camping with showers, toilets, trade
the winner. For riders on the same number of laps, the rider who has stands, bike shops, bike wash, massage, entertainment and mechanical
completed them in the shortest total race time will receive the higher placing. support. There is plenty to keep the children entertained including their own
Prizes are awarded for the top three in all categories. races as part of the schedule. Dogs are welcome but should be kept on a
lead during the weekend and respect the wildlife that live in the park. It is not
Every participant is allocated a 3m x 3m pit area which is included in the entry
necessary to book a campsite pitch but early arrivals get the prime spots.
fee. Event entry also entitles entrants and their supporters to up to four nights
You are never more than 100 metres from the track and everything is within
camping which makes for a great value long weekend.
walking distance.

The Course Last year’s event was a huge success with over 2000 competitors which,
combined with all their families and support crew, saw almost 4000 people
The race course is just over 14km long and features 140m of elevation per camping at Rosewood Park. Access to the event is by ticket only which must
lap. The route is a testing circuit that incorporates river crossings, technical be purchased in advance. With three great days of competition planned and
descents, challenging climbs and plenty of twisting and fast single track lots of other activities in and around the park tickets are selling fast. Book
through the woods. It provides rock garden climbs, switchbacks and fast your place now to avoid disappointment.