THULE Marathon

Thule Marathon FAQ’s

Thule Marathon Format

Epic XC Marathon With Up to 3 Laps of a 28.5km Loop on Mogo Trails.

Race the Thule Marathon at Sea Otter Australia on Mogo Trails, with a mass start into an awesome loop in this brand-new network; race up to 3 laps before returning to celebrate at the Event Hub.

• Lap based cross country event on a 28.5km / 750vm course
• Mix of single track, flow trails, fire trail and gravel roads within the Mogo Trail network
• Choose your category 30km – 1 lap, 60km – 2 laps & 90km – 3 laps
• Dedicated Elite group in 90km distance
• Mass start from the Event Hub with a police-escorted rollout.
• 5km neutral rollout before the race begins.
• Hard-fought racing on top-quality trails.
• Finish line located on Ridge Road near the feed tech zone.
• Roll back to the Event Hub after finishing.
• Podium Ceremony in the Event Hub.

The Thule Marathon will have a designated Feed & Technical area where riders may receive outside assistance (inside the marked areas).

There is also a secondary “Neutral” (no public access) water station at Dog Trap Road & Mitchels Road.

Riders without support can leave a clearly marked bag with their name and rider number on at the startline on the day and prior at registration on Thursday. Riders are asked to keep all items in one bag (zipped shopping bag or similar easily identified bag) and place them in the Feed Drop boxes provided. Our team will transport these to the feed tech zone after the start and will return them after 2pm to the event center.

Riders with their own support team will need to request a Yellow Parking Pass at registration so that they can drive to the tech area on Ridge Road as this will be closed to the public.

NOTE – your support team will not be able to drive to the tech zone until after 8:30 AM

3D-Track Flyover

Jump on board our flyover cam to get a first view of the THULE Marathon track in and around Mogo State Forest in Batemans Bay for the inaugural Sea Otter Australia Festival!

Thule Marathon Course Map

The Race Begins

The day kicks off with a spectacular mass start at Hanging Rock, right in the heart of the Sea Otter Festival. Picture this: you and a massive peloton of riders, with a police escort, rolling through town in a big bunch. It’s a truly electric feeling, reminiscent of the big pro tours. The official race begins on Glenella Road, where the race director will give the green light. The initial asphalt climb will help spread out the field, setting you up for the single track ahead.

The Course

From there, you’ll hit Ridge Road, a gravel stretch that serves as a brief breather before you dive into the main event: a 28.5km loop. This loop is a handpicked selection of the best trails Mogo has to offer. Depending on your chosen distance, you’ll complete it once, twice, or three times.

Each 28.5km lap has ~750m climbing.

The loop itself is a masterpiece of mountain biking. You’ll tackle flowy descents, technical climbs, and open fire roads that allow for fast-and-furious racing and plenty of passing opportunities. The course takes you through the beautiful Botanic Gardens, over the dam, and up to the main Mogo trail network. We’ve even included a few fire roads to ensure you can eat, drink, and recover between the more technical sections. The final push is a blisteringly fast and furious section on Ridge Road before you cross the race finish line.

What to Expect on Race Day

Your experience is our priority. A tech support and feed station will be conveniently located at the start/finish area of the loop, right after the fire trail section. We’ll also have first aid and course marshals stationed throughout the network to ensure your safety.

After you cross the race finish line in the Mogo Trails, you’ll have a quick recovery before a neutral ride back to the main expo site at Hanging Rock, where we’ll be waiting to welcome every rider back at the official Festival Finish line!

The Thule Marathon track is a personal favourite of Rocky Trail owner Martin Wisata, and for good reason—it perfectly balances incredible, hand-built single track with sections that allow for high-speed racing. You’re going to love it.

We look forward to seeing you at the start line of the Thule Marathon at Sea Otter Australia!

Start and Finish

The day kicks off with a spectacular mass start at Hanging Rock, right in the heart of the Sea Otter Festival. Picture this: you and a massive peloton of riders, with a police escort, rolling through town in a big bunch. It’s a truly electric feeling, reminiscent of the big pro tours. The official race begins on Glenella Road, where the race director will give the green light. The initial asphalt climb will help spread out the field, setting you up for the single track ahead.

The main race loop then starts on Ridge Road and is a handpicked selection of the best trails Mogo has to offer. Depending on your chosen distance, you’ll complete it once, twice, or three times. The timing finish line is on Ridge Road – you’ll have a quick recovery there before a neutral ride from Mogo Trails via the Curtis Road Trailhead back to the main expo site at Hanging Rock, where we’ll be waiting to welcome every rider back at the official Festival Finish line! Join everyone for the official podium ceremony in the afternoon (see schedule for timings) and post-ride recovery drinks (how about a cheeky Sea Otter Australia Beer?) and delicious food!

Thule Marathon Course GPX

Click the link below and select the applicable 1, 2 & 3 Lap GPX files to download

Each 28.5km lap has ~750m climbing

THULE MARATHON

For a complete list of all of the age group categories click here

ELITE – 3 LAPS

Epic – 3 LAPS

Adventure – 2 LAPS

Challenge – 1 LAP

Age groups are automatically assigned during the registration process based on your year of birth.

Thule Marathon Categories

Your Age group will automatically be assigned during the registration process based on your Year of Birth.

Dispensation may be given by the event director to experienced junior riders to ride up a category.

Ebikes are not permitted in this event please see applicable events here

Thule Marathon rules

The following rules are specific to this event and are in addition to our General Event Rules which can be seen here

• Race numbers must be displayed on the handlebars. Race plates contain the timing chip and must not be cut or folded to ensure the timing chip works. 
• The riders must complete the amount of laps they have signed up for or results will be  a DNF.
• Riders who withdraw are asked to notify the event team of their name and plate number as soon as possible.

Cut off time:

• Riders must start the last lap by 12:30pm. 
• Riders failing to start the last lap by this cut off will receive a DNF. 

Neutral Roll Out: 

• Whilst on public roads all riders must follow NSW road rules, and the instructions of police, race officials and marshals. 
• During the neutral roll out and whilst on the closed Glenella Rd, riders must not cross the centre line of the road regardless of line marking. 
• During the neutral roll out riders must maintain ~20km/hr pace set by the police.  Stragglers may be removed from the course by the sag wagon

Feed Tech Zone

• A feed/tech zone will be available on Ridge Rd after the lap start/finish. 
• Outside assistance may only be provided in the feed/tech zone.
• A neutral feed station at approximately 15km into the lap will be provided with water, PURE sports Electrolyte Hydration and fruit.
• Riders are encouraged/permitted to provide support to other riders out on track

Once finished riders are asked to ride back to the Sea Otter Australia Event Hub.