HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — Hot Springs’ Northwoods Trail System will be the site on April 12 and 13 for both the Wildcat Marathon mountain bike endurance race and the Northwoods Enduro presented by the Southern Enduro Tour.
The Wildcat Marathon will be held Saturday, April 12, and the Enduro will follow on Sunday, April 13.
Registration for both events is now open. The Wildcat Marathon registration site is https://www.bikereg.com/wildcatmarathon. Registration for the Northwoods Enduro is at https://www.bikereg.com/northwoods enduro.
“We are excited to be hosting the Wildcat Marathon and Southern Enduro Tour’s final race of the tri-state series, the Northwoods Enduro,” Visit Hot Springs Trails Coordinator Traci Berry said. “The Northwoods Enduro brings in enduro riders from all over the country.
“The rake and ride style of stages and gnar we are able to offer makes the Northwoods Enduro a series favorite. Coupled with being the final race of the series this year, it gives our trails some much deserved exposure.”
Gnar is a cycling term used to describe a challenging or difficult section of a mountain biking trail. Sections with rocks, roots or drop are considered “gnarly.”
The Wildcat Marathon, held on the Cedar Glades and Northwoods trails, features fast single-track, machine-cut trail, plenty of speed and tough climbs, Berry said.
She said a course map with race distance and lap details will be provided to all registered racers the week before the race.
“Be prepared for around 50 miles for the full marathon and around 25 for the half-marathon Mildcat,” Berry advised.
A pre-ride will be held the Friday before the race.
The marathon will feature a mass start by category where there will be a short start lap and two full laps. The Mildcat will start after the Wildcat categories have gone out and will do the start lap and then one full lap.
On April 13 the Northwoods Enduro is part of the Southern Enduro Tour that includes events in Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma.
Berry said the complete tour offers the best variety of terrain in the Midwest and creates a regional championship that is both challenging and fun for any mountain biker seeking a premium race experience.
The Hot Springs race is rated Skill-7, Fitness-8 and Gnar-7. It is a one-day event with up to seven stages, Berry said.
A one-day event means there will be racing on race day only and most pre-riding will be done on Friday and after the Wildcat Marathon race on Saturday, she explained.
All racers, regardless of age or category, will race the same course and stages. There will be B line options for more difficult areas, Berry said, or racers may walk anything they do not feel comfortable riding.
For more information call Traci Berry at 501-276-3622.