
2026 AusCycling Marathon National Championships
The Shimano 100 Epic 90 is the 2026 AusCycling Marathon National Championships
Date
Sat 26 – Sun 27 Sep, 2026
Time
9:00 am – 3:30 pm

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
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
| Time | Details |
|---|---|
| 10.00 am – 3.00 pm | Pre-Registration event |
| 12:00 am – 4:00 pm | Course Practice |
Sunday 27 Sep 2026
| Time | Details |
|---|---|
| 7.00-8.30 am | Late Registration all events |
| 9.00 am | Race Start 3 Laps: National Championships Male/Female U19, U23, Elite, Expert National Championships Male M1-M8 National Championships Female M1-M4 |
| 9:10 am | Race 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 am | Race Start 1 Lap: National Championships Male/Female Junior U15 Shimano 100 Challenge Racers (1 Laps) |
| 11.00 am – 3.00 pm | Presentations (see presentation schedule below) |
| 1:30pm | Cut off time all categories for last lap |
Presentation Times
| 11.00 am | Shimano 100 Challenge (1 lap) presentation |
| 1.30 pm | Shimano 100 Adventure (2 lap) presentation |
| 3.00 pm | AusCycling 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.
| Category | Early 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.
| Series | Category | Age Group | Laps (Male/Female) |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Championships | Elite | 19+ | 3 laps |
| National Championships | U23 | 19-22 | 3 laps |
| National Championships | U19 | 17-18 | 3 laps |
| National Championships | Expert | 23-29 | 3 laps |
| National Championships | M1 | 30-34 | 3 laps |
| National Championships | M2 | 35-39 | 3 laps |
| National Championships | M3 | 40-44 | 3 laps |
| National Championships | M4 | 45-49 | 3 laps |
| National Championships | M5 | 50-54 | M 3 laps / F 2 laps |
| National Championships | M6 | 55-59 | M 3 laps / F 2 laps |
| National Championships | M7 | 60-64 | M 3 laps / F 2 laps |
| National Championships | M8 | 65-69 | M 3 laps / F 2 laps |
| National Championships | M9 | 70-74 | 2 laps |
| National Championships | U17 | 15-16 | 2 laps |
| National Championships | U15 | Under 15 | 1 lap |
| Adventure | Expert | 19-29 | 2 laps |
| Adventure | Vet | 30-39 | 2 laps |
| Adventure | Master | 40-49 | 2 laps |
| Adventure | Super Master | 50-59 | 2 laps |
| Adventure | Grand Master | 60+ | 2 laps |
| Adventure | U19 | 2 laps | |
| Challenge | Expert | 19-29 | 1 lap |
| Challenge | Vet | 30-39 | 1 lap |
| Challenge | Master | 40-49 | 1 lap |
| Challenge | Super Master | 50-59 | 1 lap |
| Challenge | Grand Master | 60+ | 1 lap |
| Challenge | U19 | 1 lap | |
| Challenge | U17 | 1 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



