2026 AusCycling Marathon National Championships

The Shimano 100 Epic 90 is the 2026 AusCycling Marathon National Championships

The 2026 AusCycling Marathon National Championships at UC Stromlo Forest Park represent the highest level of mountain bike marathon racing in Australia. This event serves as the definitive meeting point for the nation’s elite athletes and high-performance competitors.

Held in conjunction with the Shimano 100, the championship is contested over a rigorous three-lap format on the 30-kilometre Shimano 100 circuit. This “monster circuit” is specifically designed to crown the best of the best, demanding technical prowess, tactical intelligence, and raw endurance. For Elite, Pro, and high-performance Junior riders, this is the official quest for the National Title, endorsed by AusCycling.

While the three-lap marathon serves as the primary championship race, the event maintains high-stakes intensity across all categories, including one-lap and two-lap classifications. Pre-registration and practice take place on Saturday from midday, with Race Day on Sunday from 9am. The weekend functions as a premier hub for the cycling industry, set against the backdrop of a Canberra spring.

For those not looking to compete in the AusCycling Marathon National Championships, the Shimano 100 offers a range of participation options across 30km and 60km distances—providing riders of all levels the opportunity to experience the same iconic Stromlo course and be part of the event weekend.

This Event Is Proudly Supported By

Destination Zone

Canberra Region

Explore

Event Guide

Welcome to The AusCycling Marathon National Championships & The Shimano 100, everything you need to know about the event is here, just click a heading below to learn more:

Official Communiques

Any updates or changes to the event will be added here in the lead up to the event:

Venue

Dave McInnes Rd, Australian Capital Territory 2611

Accommodation

Why not make it a weekend getaway to the Capital with us? There are so many things to see and do off the race track, and here’s some accommodation deals to get you started!

Camping

There is limited camping available at no additional charge at UC Stromlo. To reserve a spot, please fill out the camping form.

Neutral Support

Will from Will’s Wrenching will be available on site throughout the event for all those mechanical issues and spare parts.

Course

2026 Race Track

Track Stats

  • Course length 28.9km.
  • Climbing 670m per lap.
  • Approximately 50% of the trails in Stromlo used or partially used.
  • Single track is broken up by 11 sections of forest trail.

Overview

Start grid will be in front of the Handle Bar Café.

Riders will head past the finish line (backwards), then turn up the Fenceline Fire Trail and Blue Gums Fire Trail before hitting the first single track and the “Bobby Pin Climb”.

Riders will make their way to the summit past the Mt Stromlo observatories before traversing “Tall Trees” to the first descent of “Western Wedgetail”, “Pork Barrel” and “Slick Rock”.

Riders will then traverse “Brindabella” to the first passing of the neutral hydration/feed station, followed by a short link on Forest Trail fire road before dropping into “Deep Creek”.

Riders will turn right on the Stromlo Pipeline Road before turning out of the Mountain Bike Park onto Cooper Fire Trail.

Riders will then complete approximately 6km of gravel roads, including Cooper Fire Trail, Stevens Break, Bennett Fire Trail, Browns Trig Fire Trail and Deep Creek Fire Trail, before re-entering the mountain bike park at “Terminal Velocity”, which riders will climb.

At the top of that climb, riders will have their second opportunity for neutral hydration/feed on Forest Trail before more single track, including “Double Dissolution”, “Crim Track” and “After Party”.

Another short fire road stretch on Forest Trail follows before dropping down to “White Gums”. Riders will then climb up the fire road and “Bluetongue”, linking onto “Skyline” to descend and crossing under the container bridge onto “Luge”.

Riders will then climb up the Carpark Track to descend “Slant Six” into “Breakout”, “Muckraker” and “Old Duffy Descent”.

Riders will make their way past the Village Green, under the DH tunnel and around “Paparazzi”, onto the paved finish straight and the feed/tech zone.

After passing the finish, riders will start the next lap by heading backwards up the DH finish, onto “Fenceline” and including the “Evolution Loop”, before the Blue Gums Fire Road sets them back on course.

Schedule

The following is a provisional schedule:

Saturday 26 Sep 2026

TimeDetails
10.00 am – 3.00 pmPre-Registration event
12:00 am – 4:00 pmCourse Practice

Sunday 27 Sep 2026

TimeDetails
7.00-8.30 amLate Registration all events
9.00 amRace Start 3 Laps:
National Championships Male/Female U19, U23, Elite, Expert
National Championships Male M1-M8
National Championships Female M1-M4
9:10 amRace Start 2 Lap:
National Championships Male/Female Junior U17
National Championships Female M5-M9
National Championships Male M9
Shimano 100 Adventure Racers (2 Laps)
9:15 amRace Start 1 Lap:
National Championships Male/Female Junior U15
Shimano 100 Challenge Racers (1 Laps)
11.00 am – 3.00 pmPresentations (see presentation schedule below)
1:30pmCut off time all categories for last lap

Presentation Times

11.00 amShimano 100 Challenge (1 lap) presentation
1.30 pmShimano 100 Adventure (2 lap) presentation
3.00 pmAusCycling Marathon National Championships All Categories

Entry

Registration is open now for all categories

Rocky Trail Entertainment warmly welcomes adaptive riders to the Marathon National Championships. Adaptations and entries will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in consultation with key event stakeholders.

Please note that a dedicated or modified course is not available; adaptive riders must be able to complete the standard course and lap requirements to be determined by the PCP.

If you wish to enter, please contact ride@rockytrailentertainment.com with details of your racing background and experience.

CategoryEarly Bird (by 31 Jul)Entry Fee (from 1 Aug)
Auscycling XCM Nationals
Open$110.00$143.00
Elite$130.00$163.00
Auscycling XCM Nationals — Junior
U17$75.00$97.50
U15$65.00$84.50
Shimano 100 Adventure — 2 Laps
Open$90.00$117.00
Junior$75.00$97.50
Shimano 100 Challenge — 1 Lap
Open$80.00$104.00
Junior$65.00$84.50

Early bird pricing closes 31 July 2026, with standard entry fees kicking in from 1 August. All prices include 10% GST.

Categories

The following categories are applicable to the 2026 AusCycling Marathon National Championships & Shimano 100.

Rocky Trail Entertainment warmly welcomes adaptive riders to the Marathon National Championships. Adaptations and entries will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in consultation with key event stakeholders.

Please note that a dedicated or modified course is not available; adaptive riders must be able to complete the standard course and lap requirements to be determined by the PCP.

If you wish to enter, please contact ride@rockytrailentertainment.com with details of your racing background and experience.

SeriesCategoryAge GroupLaps (Male/Female)
National ChampionshipsElite19+3 laps
National ChampionshipsU2319-223 laps
National ChampionshipsU1917-183 laps
National ChampionshipsExpert23-293 laps
National ChampionshipsM130-343 laps
National ChampionshipsM235-393 laps
National ChampionshipsM340-443 laps
National ChampionshipsM445-493 laps
National ChampionshipsM550-54M 3 laps / F 2 laps
National ChampionshipsM655-59M 3 laps / F 2 laps
National ChampionshipsM760-64M 3 laps / F 2 laps
National ChampionshipsM865-69M 3 laps / F 2 laps
National ChampionshipsM970-742 laps
National ChampionshipsU1715-162 laps
National ChampionshipsU15Under 151 lap
AdventureExpert19-292 laps
AdventureVet30-392 laps
AdventureMaster40-492 laps
AdventureSuper Master50-592 laps
AdventureGrand Master60+2 laps
AdventureU192 laps
ChallengeExpert19-291 lap
ChallengeVet30-391 lap
ChallengeMaster40-491 lap
ChallengeSuper Master50-591 lap
ChallengeGrand Master60+1 lap
ChallengeU191 lap
ChallengeU171 lap

FAQ’s

Got a question, jump on the orange chat icon at the bottom of the screen or buzz us an email, we’re here to help!

Do I need to be an Auscycling Member to Compete in the National Championship Categories?

Yes you will need an active AusCycling Off Road Race licence. You will be required to show your valid licence at registration.

Do I need to be an Auscycling Member to Compete in the Shimano 100?

No you don’t need to be an Auscycling Member if your competing in the 2 Lap Adventure or 1 Lap Challenge categories

Why is there a Price Difference For Elite Riders?

There will be prize money on offer for the top 3 female and male riders

Is there a Miler in 2026?

The miler is taking a well earned rest in 2026

Are eBikes Permitted?

Ebikes are not permitted in either the Shimano 100 or in The Auscycling Marathon National Championships