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If you're new to cycling and want to learn more about the different disciplines of mountain biking, you're in the right place. Today, we're taking a look at mountain biking cross-country marathon.
What is marathon cross-country mountain biking?
The cross-country marathon (also known as XC Marathon) is a variation of the cross-country discipline.
But, unlike cross-country (XC), competitions are held not on short circuits of about 5 kilometers but on courses between 50 and 160 kilometers on average (although the longest events can exceed 200 kilometers). It is also a mass event where all participants start at the same time. Throughout the race, which has significant levels, there are technical climbs and descents, coupled with more rolling and fast sections.
Marathon XC events can be run as solo or team events, over one day or multiple days. For the longest events, they are referred to as ultra-marathons. Because of the duration of the effort, marathon mountain biking calls for a real overcoming of oneself.
The most famous events are undoubtedly the Cape Epic which takes place over several days in South Africa, the MTB Alpine Cup (or Grand Raid BCVS) which takes place in Switzerland as well as the Roc Marathon which takes place in Fréjus (France) during the Roc d'Azur.
What equipment for cross-country marathon running?
Due to the longer distances, in marathon cross-country, riders are more in the search of comfort than in Olympic cross-country. Because of this, there are almost only all-suspension cross-country mountain bikes with travel ranging from 80 to 100mm and carbon frames for lightness. The bikes are also equipped with disc brakes for better braking.
As in classic cross-country, the only mandatory protective gear is for the helmet (a classic mountain bike model will suffice) but wearing a pair of gloves is highly recommended in case of a fall.
Now that you know all about marathon cross-country mountain biking, how about doing the same with other mountain biking disciplines such as downhill, marathon downhill, freeride mountain biking, enduro mountain biking, all-mountain biking, cross-country mountain biking, four-cross mountain biking, four-cross mountain biking, dual slalom mountain biking, dirt mountain biking, street mountain biking, trial mountain biking, or slopestyle mountain biking ?
