We're super pleased to be joining with the team at Rock UK - Whithaugh Park to host the 2024 Lloyds Bank National MTB Marathon Championships. 

Located just down the road from the original Kielder venue, Newcastleton is part of the Scottish Boarders. A vast area of unspoilt landscape with miles of open and forest trails. We've been super lucky to secure the support of the local community who will be allowing us to start the event in the town centre before heading up into the hills. 

Rock UK adventure centre will once again be the main base for the event as well as the finish area. As with the XC series event held at the site a few years back, Rock UK will be offering riders the chance to book one of their lodges which offer extra facilities such as a kitchen, proper toilets and showers. 

Course Details:

Newcastleton is home to one of the 7Staines mountain bike trails. You may get a picture of a "busy bike park" which couldn't be further from the truth.  You get a truth sense of riding through the wilderness. Thick forest areas and open hard stone paths. The course we've put together is approx 17miles long and include sections of the trail, wild trails, fire roads in the forest and then trails in and around Rock UK. Elevation for each lap is approx 1,700 ft per lap which isn't going to make it the most mountainous of course’s but certainly a challenge for all riders. Riders will complete 3 laps for the Championship event and 2 for the Sportive.

Event distance:

National Marathon Championship Open - 90km

National Marathon Championship Female - 90km

Sportive (Non Championship) -  57km

Feed / Tech Zones

We'll have 2 tech and feed zones on the course. 1 of the tech zones you will pass twice on each lap

Tech / Feed 1 - 5km

Tech / Feed 2 - 21km

Tech / Feed 3 - 26km

Subject to change should we be required to alter the course 

Practise 

Saturday practise with marshals and medics - 1pm until 4pm

We won't have a practise session available on Sunday morning before the race start

Camping Details

Lodge bookings will be available at Rock UK. To book please call Tracy - 013873 75394 Details:

2 person bunk room w shared bathroom and kitchen      £60 per room

4 person bunk room w shared bathroom and kitchen      £110 per room

1 bed in a shared bunkroom, with shared bathroom and kitchen = £30pp

3 bedroom (6 people) lodge with private kitchen/bathroom        £275 for the lodge

2 bedroom (4 people)) lodge with private kitchen/ bathroom      £220 for the lodge

2 bedroom (4 people) lodge with private kitchen/ bathroom       £220 for the lodge

This would need to be fully paid for at the time of booking

Motorhome, Van, And General Parking

We’ve been working on options for Van / Motorhome / Car Parking. The original plan was to hire a large field in the town. Given the number of entries this is no longer required. so we’re making use of the FREE parking available down by the river. This will give you easy access to the start area and finish area. Both marked on the map.

Please note that the car park doesn’t have a water tap so you will need to bring along your own.

The parking is free and there is no need to book.

Tent pitches will be available in and area just outside the entrance to Rock UK. This is a 5 minute walk from the start area and a 2 minute walk from the finish area at Rock UK. 

Parking

All parking (other than for those booking a lodge) will be in the town centre. There's lots of free parking in the town which will put you 2 minutes from the start area and 5 minutes from the finish. We will not be offering pitches at Rock UK for this event

Info for Riders

Notes for National Marathon Championships:

Please note that to enter and ride the 2024 National Marathon Championships, you will need to hold British Cycling membership and a full racing licence with GBR listed as your nationality.

As this race is the National Championships, it is registered on the UCI calander and will carry UCI points.  The UCI recognise it as one race for Male and one for Female over the age of 19.  They do not split the results out into further age categories.

However, domestically we do, and subject to their being sufficient entries in each category, we will recognise the following on the post race podium:

Senior (19+) Open Race: White jersey for winner. Gold, Silver & Bronze medals for overall race.

Masters 40 Open Race:  Blue jersey for winner. Gold, Silver & Bronze medals for top three.

Masters 50 Open Race:  Blue jersey for winner. Gold, Silver & Bronze medals for top three.

Masters 60 Open Race:  Blue jersey for winner. Gold, Silver & Bronze medals for top three.

Senior Female (19+) Race:  White jersey for winner. Gold, Silver & Bronze medals for overall race.

Masters 40 Female Race:  Blue jersey for winner. Gold, Silver & Bronze medals for top three.

Masters 50 Female Race:  Blue jersey for winner. Gold, Silver & Bronze medals for top three.

Masters 60 Female Race:  Blue jersey for winner. Gold, Silver & Bronze medals for top three

*4 or more entries in a Masters category will mean full allocation of 3 medals and a winners jersey.  3 entries would give 2 medals and a winners jersey.  2 entries gives 1 medal and a jersey.

Entries for the championships will close one week before the event.  No late entries.  No entries on the day.