HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — Hot Springs’ nationally acclaimed Northwoods Trail System will be the host March 16 – 17 for three major events on the Southern Enduro Mountain Bike Tour.
The Wildcat Mountain Bike Marathon — 25- and 50-mile races — will send riders onto the Northwoods and Cedar Glades trails for a tough test of their skills and endurance on Saturday, March 16.
The marathon races will be followed at dusk by a dual slalom competition under the lights.
On Sunday, March 17, the Northwoods Enduro will take place on the Cedar Glades and Northwoods trails for a challenging day of timed stage racing on courses that range from a few of the trail system’s favorite enduro lines to event-only lines.
“We are pleased and honored to be hosting the Wildcat Marathon and Southern Enduro Tour’s Northwoods Enduro for the sixth consecutive year,” Visit Hot Springs Northwoods Trails Coordinator Traci Berry said. “The Northwoods Enduro will be the second round of the 2024 Tri-State series, with races in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.”
“We are very excited for the 6th Annual – Wildcat Marathon, Dual Slalom & Northwoods Enduro in Hot Springs! The Northwoods Trails offer a venue like no other for hosting the 3 wildly different race courses.” – Race Director, Dustin Slaughter
“The Slaughter Trail Guides crew always puts on a great event that showcases our trail system and our city to about 300 riders from all over the country,” she said. “It’s a weekend full of mountain bike racing with the Wildcat and Mildcat XC marathon and half marathon on Saturday morning, a nighttime Dual Slalom race Saturday night, and the Northwoods Enduro Sunday.”
The Wildcat Mountain-Bike Marathon will take place on the Cedar Glades and Northwoods trails for lots of fast single track, machine cut trail, loads of speed, and tough climbs, Berry said.
Following the Marathon race, there will be a dual-slalom course setup on the hillside and as the sun sets riders will compete under the lights for some head-to-head racing until there is only one winner in each category.
On Sunday, March 17, the Northwoods Enduro will take place on the Cedar Glades and Northwoods trails for a challenging day of timed stage racing on courses that range from some of riders’ favorite enduro lines to event-only lines.
Berry said this year’s Enduro course will be approximately 18 miles with six or seven timed stages. The official map will be emailed to all registered participants following online registration closing and prior to practice day.
Each day’s competition will start and finish at the Northwoods Cedar Glades Park, which will have jumps, pumptrack, disc golf course and playground facilities open to the public. Each day of competition will conclude with a free meal to participants and an awards ceremony. Friends, family and spectators are welcome.
More information is available at www.northwoodstrails.org.
Wildcat Mountain Bike Marathon registration is open at www.bikereg.com/wildcatmarathon.
Northwoods Enduro and Dual Slalom registrations are open www.bikereg.com/northwoodsenduro
Online registration closes for these events Thursday, March 14, at 8 p.m. There will be on-site registration as long as events are not sold out, Berry said.
For more information call Traci Berry at 501-276-3622.
