XC Marathon events to test your stamina this season

Spring is here and that means racing is near. In fact, the first marathon cross country race on the Canadian calendar is this weekend in Ontario, where the X2I races kicks off Cannondale XC Marathon Series in the Dufferin County Forest. The shorter, Olympic distance cross country races have already started, with Canada Cup and Island Cup racing underway out west, but if you’d rather ease into the season with a longer, steadier effort here’s some top picks for XC marathon events across the country.

If you haven’t been on Zwift all winter, and aren’t usually one to check out races, many of these events have a great community atmosphere that can be very encouraging for a new racer or riders looking to challenge themselves to ride longer distances. Many offer shorter distances and kids races, making them approachable events for beginners and families while still offering enough kilometres to challenge experienced mountain bikers.

Cannondale XC Marathon Series – Ontario, various dates

Website: Cannondale XC Marathon Series

Ontario’s four race XCM series kicks off early, with the H2I race taking place April 14 in the woods of Dufferin County Forest. Winter may be holding on by its fingertips in parts of Ontario, but organizers say the course is ready for riders to test their spring fitness with rolling hills and winding singletrack. If you’re not quite ready to race you can still contest the series, as its a best three-of-four points format. Check the event website for the remaining series dates, spanning from May to late September.

Vedder Mountain Classic – Fraser Valley, B.C., May 12, 2018

Website: Vedder Mountain Classic

This classic 1990’s B.C. cross country marathon even returned to the race calendar in 2016, and is now part of Cycling BC’s XCM Premier Series. Taking place in the dense forests on Vedder Mountain, the Classic offers a 35km full course or 15km short course, but don’t be fooled by the distance, as there’s over 1,600m of climbing crammed into the full course. Winding singletrack climbs lead into endless flowing descents that are as fun to ride as they are to race. There’s also a kids race and, if you haven’t had enough racing already, a Canadian National Enduro Series stop on the same trails the following day to make it a proper weekend.

Stomp Classic – Kamloops, B.C., July 8, 2018

Website: Stomp Classic

Another old school cross country course that has been revived for the next generation of riders, the Stomp Classic first traversed the hills surrounding Kamloops in the late 1980’s. The modern version looks a little different, with plenty of fast paced singletrack mixed with rocky technical sections to build a 60km course around Stake Lake, outside Kamloops. There’s a 20km option, Junior loop, and a 1.5km Little Bikers Lap to give plenty of racing options. Stomp Classic is also part of Cycling BC’s XCM Premier Series, and will host BC XC Marathon provincial championships for 2018.

New Brunswick cross country marathon series – various dates

Website: Velo New Brunswick

New Brunswick is home to several marathon XC events, starting with the Coal Miners Lung in Minto, N.B. on June 17. Events run approximately once a month all the way through to October 6, when the Tour of Elgin concludes the east coast cross country season. More information on the five event XCM series can be found through Velo New Brunswick.

Giver6’er – Canmore, Alta, June 3, 2018

Website: Deadgoat Racing

Deadgoat racing’s Giver6’er is on the long end of marathon races, and sticks to the original meaning of ‘Enduro’ meant to designate endurance cross country events. The six hour event held at the Canmore Nordic Centre can be contested solo, or in teams of two or three riders. There’s several other cross country marathons on the Alberta Cycling Association calendar, but Giver6’er’s location in the Canadian Rockies makes it an event you won’t want to miss.