Why do people pay money to toil on a marathon race course at the weekend? The answer is simple: because it's the greatest thing ever. Suffer, doubt, triumph. Once you've experienced the emotional cocktail of a mountain bike marathon, you're hooked. Year after year, long-distance races drew tens of thousands to the starting line. Then came the pandemic. Strict coronavirus restrictions and many cancelled races took their toll on the scene. But normality is slowly returning. Are you looking for a nice challenge for your racing calendar? BIKE editor-in-chief and marathon fan Henri Lesewitz reveals the best MTB marathon dates for 2023.
Mountain bike marathons are major emotional events. A crazy up and down of emotions. You go through hell, but at the end, when you've made it, you always feel like you're in heaven. - Henri Lesewitz, BIKE editor-in-chief and marathon fan
Bike the Rock, 23 April 2023, Heubach (D)
41 kilometres / 1100 vertical metres
According to the route data, Bike the Rock is a dwarf among marathons. The kilometres and metres in altitude to be covered initially elicit a weary smile from experienced long-distance riders. But this fades after the first few kilometres at the latest. In full throttle mode, even short climbs hurt. There is hardly any time to recover. Nevertheless, absolutely recommended. Also because of the familiar atmosphere of the event. A perfect start to the season.
BIKE Marathon Lake Garda, 29 April 2023, Riva del Garda (IT)
82 kilometres / 3484 vertical metres
Embedded in the legendary BIKE Festival, the marathon on Lake Garda is much more than just a race. It has been the traditional opening of the marathon season since the mid-nineties. Earlier editions had up to 4600 metres in altitude. In comparison, the current route of the Ronda Extrema seems almost merciful. But that is deceptive. Especially the ultra-steep, almost curve-free ramps in the first part of the race mercilessly drain the energy from your legs. The relatively flowing middle section delights with fine trails on forest soil. At the end, it really hurts again and the last long descent, which requires extremely good riding technique, forces many a participant to push. However, the finish on the shores of Lake Garda makes up for the drudgery.
Chiemgau King, 1 May 2023 to 20 June 2023, Ruhpolding (D)
168 kilometres / 4629 vertical metres
The Chiemgau King is not really a mountain bike marathon at all, at least not in the sense of a classic race. The challenging challenge through the Bavarian Chiemgau region is designed as an endurance test for individualists. You ride on your own and use stamp cards to prove that you have conquered the route. The inclusion of the Chiemgau King in the legendary mountain bike challenge series does nothing to change this. A sophisticated scoring system based on the time required makes a ranking possible. A fantastic challenge that we can really recommend due to the amazing panoramas. However, the proportion of trails is low. And climbs like the one to the Kampenwand wear down even the fittest riders.
BIKE Marathon Willingen, 27 May 2023, Willingen (D)
119 kilometres / 3333 vertical metres
The marathon as part of the Willingen BIKE Festival is something like the Sauerland cousin of the Lake Garda Marathon. The climbs are not quite as long and the ground is less rocky. But in terms of difficulty, the two marathons are hardly any different. The 119 kilometres are never flat. The steep ramps await, especially in the middle section, when the lactate is already really grinding through your thighs. The long course in the shape of a cloverleaf leads past the festival site after each loop, where the cheers of the fans boost motivation. Tough, but marvellous.
MTB Marathon Dresden, 29 May 2023, Dresden
66 kilometres / 1000 vertical metres
The marathon in the Dresdener Heide is a hybrid of cross-country and long-distance race with more local charm, but definitely worth the longer journey. The event slogan leaves no doubt about the character of the race: "The pain is waiting for you!" The circuit is a perfect mix of gravel road balling and trail orgy. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal. There are also races for children. A real insider tip.
Sella Ronda Hero, 17 June 2023, Selva di Val Gardena (IT)
86 kilometres / 4500 vertical metres
You don't have to be an ace at maths to work out how tough the marathon is based on the route data. 4500 metres of elevation gain over just 86 kilometres means 52 metres of elevation gain per kilometre. An absolute record among marathons. Even the Ironbike in Ischgl, notorious for its ramps, doesn't come close. Yes, the name Hero is no coincidence. Anyone who conquers this beast is a marathon hero. The star of the event, however, is the legendary, breathtakingly beautiful Sella massif around which the route runs. The sharp-edged formation of steep walls looks as if it was created by a megalomaniac sculptor. A race that every long-distance biker must have ridden at least once. The highlight: the Sella Ronda Hero is officially recognised as CO2-neutral thanks to its comprehensive sustainability concept. The race was recently presented as a positive example at the World Climate Conference in Cairo.
Malevil Cup, 17 June 2023, Hermanice v Podjestedi (CZ)
100 kilometres / 2230 metres in altitude
The Czech Republic is one of the most MTB-crazy countries in Europe. The Malevil Cup is like Christmas and New Year's Eve combined for the Czech scene. An absolute cult event. Many German long-distance fans have now also discovered the charm of the Malevil Cup. And no wonder. Although the race was already a European Championship and attracts a huge field of riders, it still has a familiar character. The course, which is peppered with countless shorter climbs, is an invitation to merciless racing. Both professional and amateur riders get their money's worth here.
Franken Bike Marathon, 18 June 2023, Trieb (D)
87 kilometres / 2400 vertical metres
The Franken Bike Marathon, which is better known to insiders, proves that even a local marathon can be a great experience. From the organisation to the route, you can feel the organisers' passion in every detail. The mountains at the Grad Raid and Dolomiti Superbike may be more impressive. But as we all know, it's the riders who make a race tough. And they give it their all. The marathon is part of the Mountain Bike Challenge series.
Kitzalp Bike, 1 July 2023, Kirchberg (AUT)
86 kilometres / 3600 vertical metres
Bikers who have been indulging their passion for endurance biking for some time will remember: in the early years of MTB, the Kitz Alp Bike, together with the Grad Raid, Dolomiti Superbike and Swiss Bike Masters, formed the once legendary European extreme bike series. The race is one of the monuments of the sport and takes place against the stunning backdrop of the Kitzbühel Alps. But beware! "The race turns paradise into hell!" promises the event website. But real marathon riders naturally take this as an invitation rather than a warning.
Dolomiti Superbike, 9 July 2023, Villabassa (IT)
123 kilometres / 3400 vertical metres
Like the Kitz Alp Bike, the Dolomiti Superbike is one of the really big ones MTB classics of the marathon sport. The panoramic views are magnificent and every now and then there is actually time on the rather gentle gravel climbs to let your gaze wander briefly over the sensational scenery. If you're looking to place, you won't want to do that. As the trails are not quite as technical as in other marathons, power is almost more important than riding technique. A great race in a maximally impressive landscape.
Salzkammergut Trophy, 15 July 2023, Bad Goisern (AUT)
121 kilometres / 3823 vertical metres
The numerous shorter distances of the Salzkammergut Trophy are overshadowed by the legendary, myth-enshrouded A-distance with 213 kilometres and 7059 kilometres. The classic marathon route with 121 kilometres is not quite as day-filling, but still tough as iron. The climbs here are also tough and sometimes lead over steep ramps to the summits without any significant bends. Numerous fan hotspots, route highlights such as the Eternal Wall and the party atmosphere in Bad Goisern make the marathon a great experience even in the less extreme version.
Black Forest Ultra Bike, 16 July, Kirchzarten (D)
118 kilometres / 3550 vertical metres
The Black Forest Ultra is less known for its trails, but for its all-round perfect organisation and scenic route. And it has it all. If you start too ambitiously or are fooled by the unspectacular elevation profile, you will be severely penalised by the continuous ups and downs of the Black Forest. A marathon classic in the Black Forest.
MTB Marathon Pfronten, 22 July 2023, Pfronten (D)
76 kilometres / 2600 vertical metres
The MTB marathon in Pfronten is not very well known, but it is a classic. A long gravel ascent leads over the densely wooded foot of the Breitenberg to a real landscape aha experience. As soon as you cross the tree line, you can see a gigantic rock massif. It is the shoulder of the Breitenberg and the start of a real slog over loose, steep gravel. Once you have conquered this beast of a mountain, you are rewarded with an incredible view over the Allgäu Alps. You can even see the Zugspitze in the distance. The rest of the race is characterised by wider, easy-to-ride paths. At the end, the route climbs up to Breitenberg from the other side. And down the rough steep sections towards the finish.
M3 Montafon Bike Marathon, 29 July 2023, Schruns (AUT)
130 kilometres / 4500 vertical metres
Skiers love the Montafon mountains of Rätikon, Silvretta and Verwall. Marathon bikers' knees shake with respect, because the long-distance race in the Montafon consistently drains the energy out of your legs. The long route variant is called M3 and challenges your legs and psyche. Managing your strength well is essential to cover this amount of altitude metres. If you don't let the other riders stress you out and find your rhythm, the marathon will be an unforgettable experience.
Ironbike Marathon, 5 August 2023, Ischgl (AUT)
71 kilometres / 3200 vertical metres
Hardly any other marathon has such a reputation for being a steep beast as the Ironbike in Ischgl. And rightly so. Most of the time, the chain is either on the very small or the very large sprocket. Steep uphill, steep downhill. This is unusual for many marathon bikers. But this concentration of altitude metres in a great alpine setting has a very special charm.
Erzgebirge Bike Marathon, 6 August 2023, Seiffen (D)
100 kilometres / 2600 vertical metres
Germany's oldest marathon celebrated its 30th anniversary last year and kept the entire marathon scene on tenterhooks with a piece of shocking news that had previously been published: It could be that the 2022 EBM event will be the last onerace director Albrecht Dietze announced a rethink of the future. The reason for this was the massive drop in participant numbers due to the pandemic, which made it almost impossible to organise such a large event economically. The successful anniversary with well over 1000 participants gave the EBM organisers renewed confidence. It goes on! You could literally hear the fans breathing a sigh of relief. After all, the EBM is much more than just a race. It is the Wacken of the mountain bike scene. Anyone who has experienced the spectacle at hotspots such as Alpe de Wettin or Seiffener Grund will know why. Take part tip!
Grand Raid BCVS, 19 August 2023, Verbier (CH)
125 kilometres / 5025 vertical metres
The Grand Raid, held for the first time in 1990, was the big bang of the marathon boom. No other race has such a mystical aura about it as the ultra-tough race from Verbier to Grimentz. The speciality of the Grand Raid is its A-to-B mode. Which makes for somewhat awkward shuttle logistics, but that's the least of the problems. We set off at dawn. First over charming Alpine passes that give nothing away about the hell that awaits the riders. The treacherousness of the route increases with every kilometre. The peaks get higher, the surface rougher. And above all lies the pressure of the waiting times, which soon become the biggest enemy for many. Anyone who is even a second late at the time control before the dreaded final climb, the 2797 metre high Pas de Lona, will be mercilessly diverted to the shuttle buses into the valley. If you make it in time, you will have to endure a horrific stretcher passage for almost an hour. Once at the top, cheering spectators and the traditional Albhorn brass band await. But you are still a long way from the finish line. The marathon of marathons and one of the toughest MTB race in the world!
National Park Marathon, 26 August 2023, Scuol (CH)
141 kilometres / 3848 vertical metres
The epic loop is a scenic gem, but woe betide you if the weather doesn't play ball! If the weather gods are merciful, the National Park Marathon is one of the most beautiful long-distance races of all. It is tough simply because of its length. The long 141-kilometre lap should only be attempted by well-trained runners. However, the spectacular panoramas keep you focussed away from the lactate pain. Val Mora and the Chaschauna Pass are just two of the highlights. The incredibly steep climb up to the Chaschauna hut is probably one of the toughest that the Alps have to offer bikers. The start and finish is in the tranquil village of Scuol, which has also been a stage location for the BIKE Transalp was.
This might also interest you
