Full Description - There are two distances: the Full Marathon, approx 90km, and the Half, 45km. Don't be fooled by the name "Half", this is still a demanding course with quite a few short climbs, 35km of single trail and some great views of Mt Alexandra. Bitumen - What Bitumen? There is only 4km of bitumen in the 90km and the 45km track. Travel through iron bark forest and if you have time you may even hear the whip birds & bellbirds.

The course begins with a 1km open paddock trail before plunging into 15km of single trail “heaven” traversing 3 of the local race tracks, these include some short sharp climbs, rocky sections (this is Bendigo after all), bridges and fast downhills. The next section includes 8km of bush tracks followed by 3km of bitumen riding and 5km fire road where the 45km and 90km separate. Then 35km of flowing dirt roads and bush tracks through Ironbark forests and farming land. At some stage you are only 5kms from the Kona Redesdale 24hr track. You then begin your way back to the finish by joining the 45km riders, traversing along another of the local race tracks on private property, where the Bendigo 8 hour enduro event was held earlier this year. This includes a good climb and downhill followed by 7km of undulating single trail riding. The trail home is 15km of graded dirt roads.

The course has a mix of everything: ungraded forest roads to get those bones jarring, combined with some technical and rocky single trail sections. If you are doing the90km course you will need to get to the diversion of the 45km track by a certain time (TBA) otherwise you will be diverted down on the 45km course. If you are not there by the designated time you would not be back before dark and we don't want any riders out on course in the dark.

Water station, first aid and checkpoints are along the course and if you feel you need some help getting home there is a back-up sag wagon, there for your safety.

Come along and take up the challenge and enjoy yourself in either the 90km or 45km and have some bragging rights and remember parts of or the entire course for some time. Go it hard and fast or at your own pace and enjoy the peace, tranquility and the great views.

Click here for a google file or for a pdf map click here of the 2007 track.