Heads up, Rocky Trail racers! Daylight Saving time ends in NSW this Sunday, 6 April 2025, so remember to turn your clocks back on hour at 3AM. Enjoy that extra hour of sleep before hitting the trails with us!
Welcome to The Willo 2025. Let us tell you a little bit about this special race.
The event is named after James ‘Willo’ Williamson who was an inspiration to follow as a rider. The Willo Marathon has been run in his memory since he so tragically passed away from a heart condition while racing in South Africa over ten years ago now. Willo will always be remembered as the champion mountain biker from the Southern Highlands that he was. Every race participant will be instantly taken by the relaxed and friendly nature of the race, which in fact does reflect on James and the camaraderie that mountain biking brings for all. #rideonwillo
We’re so pleased to have you at the start line at The Willo Marthon 2025! – Also with us will be Willo’s Aunt Meg Patey, the original Founder of this Marathon as well as Shaun Lewis and his family, who has been by Willo’s side for many races. We look forward to having you.
VIRTUAL RIDER BRIEFING
RIDER BRIEFING CONTENT IN WRITING
This is your Rider Briefing for the event – check out the Virtual Rider Briefing from our Events Team and scroll down for important race-specific info. You will find links to all the important details and if you have any questions, always email us at ride@rockytrailentertainment.com (or click on the messaging button on your screen) and always happy to chat at rego too!
Important race info
About the venue
Coondoo State Forest Mountain Bike Park, Nowra (Click HERE for directions.)
The trails which are looked after by the SCUM club – a huge THANK YOU to Scum for the amazing support!
The Willo venue in Nowra gives us the opportunity to create a “mega lap” for the endurance racers plus a shorter 12km “taster” lap, perfect for the next generation of riders to test their skills. For more venue info, visit the LOCATION information page.
Getting to the venue
A short 15min drive from Nowra along the Princes Highway, turn into Forest Road before making a right onto Western Road which is a short gravel road into the Event Hub area. Parking will be located on the western side of the event hub on a private property. Please follow the signs and parking marshalls.
Race Classifications
The 2025 Willo Marathon has 3 race distances on offer plus a separate 12 km adult and junior Willo short-course race:
- Adventure – 40km – Outbound leg + 1 lap of Marathon Loop + Return Leg
- Challenge – 60km – Outbound leg + 2 laps of Marathon Loop + Return Leg
- Epic – 80km – Outbound leg + 3 laps of Marathon Loop + Return Leg
- 12km – Willo Adult Shortcourse
- 12km – Willo Junior Shortcourse
Race Schedule & Logistics
- START PROCEDURE & TIMING
- Each category will be started in a dedicated wave as per the schedule here. Ebikes will start at the back of each wave.
- Riders will be asked to self seed with priority given to current race winners and elite riders.
- Your result is based on the Gun start. Riders starting in the wrong event wave will be marked as DNF.
- Riders will start on a short start loop consisting of approximately 1.4km undulating fire road before the first single track. The start loop will bring the riders back through the event hub.
- PRACTICE
- The course will be open for practice on Saturday between 2:30pm & 5:30pm and on Sunday from 6.30am – 7.30am.
- Full race services, including First Aid, will be provided from 8:00am until 4:00pm Sunday. Limited services will be provided during notified practice periods.
- WITHDRAWING FROM THE EVENT
- If you feel unable to complete the race, notify a marshal, follow the signs back to the forest camp, and then make you way to the Event Centre. You must notify that you have withdrawn to timing. Make sure you notify timing officials when you return to the Event Centre. The race director phone number is on your race plate.
Race Track & marking
Racers are advised that the race course will not follow the standard loops or turn-offs that you may be used to, if you have raced here before or regularly ride here. You MUST follow the Rocky Trail signs and whilst we have marshals on course, you need to race at a pace that allows you to recognise signage and directional arrows!
We are providing a GPX download via the link below and you may race with a device, following the GPX tracks. Use the GPX track map as a guide ONLY! Please be advised that due to the nature of the trails in the close vicinity to fire trails, the GPX coordinates, may look like they deviate from some singletrails. Please, follow the Rocky Trail signs, they were placed today FRIDAY and will guide you in the right direction!
This epic lap takes riders through everything the Coondoo Forest network has to offer, including the Coondoo, Superbowl, and Butterfly trail networks.
The full marathon lap is broken up into three key sections,
- The Outbound Leg,
- The Marathon Loop and
- The Return Leg.
Click the link below for race format and track descriptions:
Pre-Registration
We are hosting a special Pre-Registration event at the Jervis Bay Brewery from 2-5pm on Saturday. Join us to enjoy a pre-race bite, relax, and get ready for the big event on Sunday morning. We look forward to seeing you there!
- Location: Jervis Bay Brewery, 3 Duranbah Dr, Huskisson NSW 2540 [Directions]
- Date: Saturday afternoon 2pm to 5pm (before the race on Sunday morning)
- Activities: Pick up your race plates, enjoy a cold ale, and savor some delicious meals.
Event Services
There will be coffee, food and drinks available in the race village through out the race.
Other:
- WATER– Riders must bring sufficient water to sustain themselves and their support crew throughout the event. There will be a limited supply of Water available at the Event Centre.
- COFFEE – Fresh Start Coffee will be ready and waiting to serve your hot drink on arrival. Limited breakfast options.
- MEDICAL– We will have a dedicated First aid crew on-site and race marshals roaming out on track.
- FACILITIES– Portable toilets will be serviced regularly.
- MECHANICAL SUPPORT– Shimano will be on site at the race village prior to race start to support you with any pre-race issues. They will then relocate to the neutral service area for the duration of the event.
- PARKING– Please follow the directions of event staff upon arrival.
- DOGS– must be kept on a leash at all times.
- CAMPING– Camping is allowed at the event center. Please see the crew before setting up to ensure you are in the right spot.
Food on course:
- Once leaving the race village you will only have access to feed and technical assistance at the neutral service area. 26km/46km/66km mark.
- Multilap riders must drop a clearly labeled bag/esky containing all their food, hydration & spares at registration prior to 8:50 am. These will be returned back to the event village at the end of the event.
- A water station will be available at the neutral service area for emergency bottle refill if required. We do ask that you carry/provide your own water.
- It is highly recommended that all riders carry key bike spares including innertube, tire levers, pump/co2, chain quick link and multi tool. Riders can assist other riders with repairs, non-rider outside assistance other than by our neutral support crew is not permitted anywhere on the course.
SHIMANO NEUTRAL SERVICE AREA (MARATHON RIDERS ONLY)
The SHIMANO Tech Support and Neutral Service Srea is located at the start/end of the Coondoo Eastern Loop on Butterfly Road and will be staffed by event marshals and our neutral service mechanic. Rider support staff / general public are not permitted at this location.
Rider Support Includes:
- Intermediate timing point
- Water filling station
- Neutral mechanical support powered by Shimano
- Basic snacks will be on offer
- A bottle/snack drop will be available for riders in the 60km & 80km distances (2 & 3 laps).
- All items must be clearly named and dropped into the tubs at registration prior to 9.15am.
REQUESTING ASSISTANCE
It is recommended that all riders carry a mobile phone with them at all times in case of an emergency. The race director’s contact details can be found on your race plate
Insurance
At Rocky Trail Events you don’t need a racing license. You are responsible for your own cover.
Weather Info
Sunny weather expected with temperatures in the low to mid 20’s.
Volunteers
We are still looking for volunteers for this weekend – race one day, help out on the other? Parents/supporters welcome too! We offer a free entry to you or for a friend/child to a future Shimano GP or Fox Superflow® event in return for every event day you help out at. Click here to fill out an online form and our team will be in touch! Cheers!
We can wait to see you smashing it! – Remember, your race photos are included in your entry, be sure to download them after the race and share your stories using:
#rockytrailracer
#rideonwillo
Emergency contacts:
Event Director – Jo Parker 0424 955 332
Race Director – Bob Morris 0458 299 558
Event Manager – Martin Wisata 0403 090 952
Media Manager – Juliane Wisata 0416 737 972
