Mountain Bike Australia (MTBA) is pleased to confirm the dates for the 2018 Townsville MTB Festival which includes the Marathon National Championships.

The full 90km Marathon National Championship will be held on the Sunday, whilst a support half-marathon will be held on the Saturday. The 2018 Townsville MTB Festival will also incorporate a schools competition, an evening glow ride and a Defence Force Challenge. All events will be held at Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park.

MTBA CEO Shane Coppin said 2018 will be a great opportunity to build on the event held earlier this year with the support of Townsville Enterprise Limited (TEL) and the Queensland State Government.

“The mountain bike community in Townsville is very proactive and thanks must go to the local Rockwheelers Club who are committed to helping this event continue to grow,” Coppin said.

“This whole event is not just aimed at the elite riders who will compete in the full marathon, but the recreational rider who may want to challenge themselves at the 90km, the half marathon or any of the support events.”

“The schools event is also vital to the growth of the sport as we know more and more children are riding bikes and want to be part of the mtb community.”

The Marathon National Championships have no qualification process and are open to all riders from Under 15 through to Masters 10.

Townsville Rockwheelers representative Geoff Jordan said Townsville’s Under the Radar (UTR) and Smedley’s mountain bike trails are not only challenging, they are among the most picturesque mountain bike trails in Australia.

“The trails offer fantastic views to Magnetic Island and beyond to the beautiful Palm Islands. On the southern side there are spectacular wetlands teaming with birdlife. Sandy beaches and glistening blue sea views feature from Smedleys Hill trail,” Jordan said.

“The single track features fast and flowy segments and with approximately 300m of climbing per loop with some technical features, even the most experienced riders will not be disappointed.”

Townsville Enterprise has thrown its support behind the Townsville MTB Festival for the second consecutive year.

“Townsville Enterprise is thrilled to once again assist in bringing the Townsville MTB Festival to our region in 2018 through funding supplied by the Townsville North Queensland Bid Fund,” Tourism & Events – Director, Bridget Woods said.

“We look forward to continuing to help grow the sport and its participation in the region”.

“Given the significant contribution that events provide the local economy and their ability to have direct and positive impacts on visitation, Townsville Enterprise considers events as one of the regions greatest tourism assets”.

Source
Mountain Bike