Riders: Please note the date change to Sept 18th. This is a fun and challenging event open to anyone with a mountain bike. But you better do some training! Beginners, novices, veterans and elite riders are all invited to come out and enjoy a great day of riding/racing.
The Whian Whian State conservation area forest is surrounded by the Nightcap national park. Both are beautiful warm temperate and subtropical rainforests with amazing views from the top of water falls (Minyon Falls, Quondong falls, Protesters Falls) high up in the Byron bay hinterland.
The Freedom Marathon starts at Rummery Park a camping area inside the forest. Camp over in Rummery park friday night before the race, or stay in nearby Mullumbimby (30 minutes from Rummery park)
Rummery Park camp facilities include: Approx 35 camp sites (Grassy spots) Toilets BBQ Cooking (gas and wood) Fire places Bring your own drinking water. Camp Fees: $10 (per adult/15 years + ) $5 (children 5yrs - 15yrs) NO PETS Pay when you get to Rummery Park (First in first to camp) Envelope system please have correct change.
Please note: Limited parking at Rummery Park, riders may be asked to move their vehicles just down the rd to Minyon falls carpark.
60k/40k/20k Course info: All riders follow the RED arrows. The 60k is quite a bit more epic for riders (some riders say its equivilent to a 100k), the 40k is a shorter but still challenging course. The 20k event is for those riders who havent got much training in but know how to handle their bikes and ride downhills with confidence (this event is challenging also). It follows the first 20k of the route. The 60k and 40k events follow the same path for 34k, then the 40k returns to finish via a 6km descent!
Dirt roads, fire trails, and double tracks. Clay hard pack, awesome tree cover. Fast ,fun flowing climbs/descents (Eastern Fire break, Peates mtn rd, Boulders rd, Quondong trail, Quirks trail, Telephone Rd). 99% of the course is in the Forest.
Special features lots of climbing and descending (including the Gibbergunyah rd descent of 10km+ on the 60k course) and crossing the top of Minyon falls and Quondong falls. The course also surrounds the stunning Rocky Creek dam and catchment area.
UPDATED! National parks have just approved 3 new great tracks for use for the Freedom MTB Marathon including a 2k single track section.
This course is awesome and will put a smile on your face!
60k riders Time cut off info: If you have not reached the 60k/40k course split at 34k in 3hrs (1pm NSW time) you must continue on the 40k course (6k downhill to the finish). Course details: Total climbing/descending in (60k: 1779m) (40k: 1395m) (Thats 5000ft+ of descending folks!!!) Click here for the Freedom MTB Marathon 60k course (Thanks Bikely/google)
Please note: These links to the courses have approx distances because Google maps dont acurately show all the tracks and trails.
Event Programme: Friday 17th Come early/Set up camp/ride the course! Number pickup opens at 3pm/closes at 7pm in Rummery Park.
Saturday 18th September: RACE DAY RACE DAY ENTRIES. $15 Late Fee applies to entries on the day Number pickup opens at 5am/closes at 8.30am in Rummery Park.
60k/40k/20k Categories: Open to riders 12yrs and above. (Its recommended the 12yr olds do the 20k) Please note:12 - 16yrs may only enter the 40k and 20k event. 17yrs+ can enter the 60k/40k/20k.
NEW 5k KIDS EVENT (7 -11 years) Free to enter on the day. Parents or Guardian must sign release.
Solo Man/Women/2 person Teams 12yr - 16yrs 17yr - 29yrs 30yr - 39yrs 40yr - 49yrs 50yr - 59yrs 60yrs+
2 person Teams (NEW CATEGORY!) 2 person Team (Men) 2 person Team (Women) 2 person Team (Mixed)
2 Person Team rules: This is a new category in this event (the idea stolen from Transalps team events without the time penalties). The idea is you ride the event with a mate (hopefully close to your fitness level). Freedom MTB marathon 2 person team members must finish within 2 minutes of each other or will not be eligible for team prizes. Team entry fees are also $10 less per person than solos.
10 Free Entries for riders 12yrs to 14yrs: (3 places left) To support the growth of the sport we are giving 10 free entries to 12 - 14yrs riders. You must email anthony [at] summerofcycling.com to register and you must bring proof of age to registration on the race day. Water stops: Yes we have water on the course. 50 litres at approx 26k 25 litres at approx 30k 50 litres at 60k/40k split at approx 34k 50 litres at approx 50k 150 litres at the Start/finish
Climate/Stats: Rummery Park Elevation:370m Sunset:6.10pm Sunrise:5.11am Average Daily Temperature: 20.9c Average Night time Temperature: 9.9c
Share your car: Coming to the Freedom marathon? There is limited parking space in the forest. Be ecologically and economically wise and share your car/transport with another rider.
Arrival times: If your camping please arrive Friday before 10pm. (The earlier you arrive the better camp spot you will get). If your arriving race day get to registration/number pick up before it closes at 8.30am.
Parking: All riders and supporters who come to camp friday night will have first preference to parking in Rummery park. All riders who arrive the morning of the event must park on the RIGHT HAND SIDE of the Minyon falls/Nightcap range rd or you also may be directed to overflow parking areas 2k away from Rummery park. We have Parking marshals to direct you.
National Forest care: This is a National Forest park with precious wild life/flora and fauna. The organisers of the Freedom marathon will not allow littering by riders or spectators. Please carry all your food/gel wrappers with you. If you see somebody litter please take their number. We will disqualify them No questions asked. No pets allowed.
Volunteers: If your friends/supporters are available for corner marshals on the day contact us. Contact Anthony. Email anthony [at] summerofcycling.com
Prizes: up to $5000+ in prizes and giveaways!!! Top 3 Trophies in each age category all events. 1st place 60k Man and Woman receive a set of Velocity MTB racing wheels valued at $400 each Plus up to $1600 Cash for Top 3 finishers in the 60k and 40k events! 60k Men and Women 1st: $250 2nd: $150 3rd: $100
40k Men and Women 1st: $150 2nd: $100 3rd: $50 Please Note: Cash prize amounts are subject to change and are based on a minimum of 100 riders entered in each event (60k and 40k)
Catered lunch/race numbers All entered riders receive a lunch as part of your entry. Lunch will be served from 1pm, followed by the prize giving at 2.30pm. Your RACE NUMBER is your lunch ticket to be returned (BECAUSE WE RE-USE THEM). Lunch will be available to purchase also for supporters and families.
Entry fees: 60km Marathon: $85 (includes Maxxis Tube and after race lunch/drink and goodies) 40km Marathon: $75 (includes Maxxis Tube and after race lunch/drink and goodies) 20km Marathon: $55 (includes Maxxis Tube and after race lunch/drink and goodies)
2 Person Team 60k Marathon:$150 ($75 each)(includes Maxxis Tube and after race lunch/drink and goodies) 2 Person Team 40k Marathon:$130 ($65 each)(includes Maxxis Tube and after race lunch/drink and goodies) 2 Person Team 20k Marathon:$90 ($45 each)(includes Maxxis Tube and after race lunch/drink and goodies)
Pre - Entries close September 13th A Late FEE of $15 applies after SEPT 13th Pre -Entries Close SEPT 13th How to enter: 3 options Payment by Electronic Bank Transfer and Emailed Entry informationClick here to Enter by Email
OR Secure credit card entry with Active Network (Please note: Credit Card entries are $5 more than standard entry prices to cover CC fees) Click here to enter and Pay by Credit Card
(Note:No MTBA license required. All riders are responsible for their own Insurance and medical )
Tell your friends, get your mates together for a great weekend and start training!
Today is Friday 3 September 2010 MAX 400 Riders PRE - ENTRIES CLOSE SEPT 13th! See 3 options (Email/Print and Post or Secure Credit card) near bottom of page. Or CC enter from here. Secure credit card entry with Active Network (Please note: Credit Card entries are $5 more than standard entry prices to cover CC fees) Click here to enter and Pay by Credit Card
But you better do some training! Beginners, novices, veterans and elite riders are all invited to come out and enjoy a great day of riding/racing. 
