Spring Marathon – Builth Wells 11th April 2010

Following the EXPOSURE LIGHTS BIG NIGHT OUT night marathon on the evening of the 10th April 2010 the Spring marathon is the daytime alternative or the extra ride for the real ‘hard core’ riders out there. Partly using the course of the ELBNO, the Spring marathon will cover three different course lengths so that every rider can find the right course for the 1st event of the season. The Spring Marathon will be based at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells, which will be signposted from Friday afternoon onwards.

Both events are part of the Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Marathon Series 2010 (powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport). With the May event also being held at Builth Wells, John will be going all out on the Spring Marathon courses to provide you with fresh, challenging and different courses with lots of the best bits from the former Builth Wells rounds. Well worth checking out if you are new to the Builth Wells location or if you a regular to the birthplace of the MTB Marathon events.

Camping, registration and start time:
Camping will be available (included in the entry fee) from Friday night through to Monday morning at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells

Start times:
The Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Marathon (powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport) ride will start at the slightly later time than the other events of the Chain Reaction Cycles series at 10.30am on Sunday the 11th 'April '10 at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells due to the EXPOSURE LIGHTS BIG NIGHT OUT taking place the night before.

Registration opening times:
• Saturday from 12pm (noon) - 8pm 
• Sunday from 8 - 10am

Entry fees:

• The entry fee for the approx. 50 and 75km Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Marathon (powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport) rides is £30 per rider and £25 per rider for the approx. 30km Mini Marathon.

• If you are in between 12-15 years old and are taking part in the Mini Marathon then your entry fee is only £20 rather than £25.

• The entry fee for the approx. 45km long ELBNO is £30 per rider

• Discount: £15 discount if you do the night Enduro (on Saturday night) as well as the day Enduro (on Sunday morning). The exception to this rule is that you will get a £10 discount if you do the ELBNO followed by the Mini Marathon (only £25 entry fee) on Sunday.

Your entry fee for the Sunday round of Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Marathon (powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport) includes:
• Ride entry
• Free pasta party (held on the Saturday night before the ride on Sunday)
• Free usage of service stations
• Free usage of facilities
• Free skills and riding tuitions (run on Saturday)
• Finishing T-shirt
• Free camping and parking

Your entry fee for the ELBNO night marathon includes:
• Ride entry
• Free post event food (when you come over the finish line on Saturday night)
• Free usage of service stations
• Free usage of facilities
• Free skills and riding tuitions (run on Sunday)
• Finishing present
• Free camping and parking

CycleActive Skills Arena
Due to popular demand in 2009, the Skills Arena brought to you by the UK’s leading mountain bike instructors at CycleActive will continue to be a big part of the event village in 2010.  This will be the place to come to on Saturday to learn to hop, drop, manual, corner faster, brake harder and control your bike in testing situations. 
As in 2009, instead of taking groups off-site we’ll be running focused, intensive 1 hour sessions in a custom built skills arena.  We’re building the woodwork this winter, so be prepared for some timber trails and exciting riding,” said CycleActive boss Chris Ford. 
Skills sessions will have restricted numbers but you’ll be able to sign up online closer to each event. All the sessions are free as well, so take advantage of this chance to learn from the best in the business, and push your skills up a level before the Sunday event.

Skills on Sundays
The Sunday sessions provided by CycleActive have been incredibly popular with younger riders, but also many adults who are not riding the event.  This year there will be a split of sessions on Sunday, with those for youngsters alternating with adult sessions.  “We’ll use the same course as Saturday, with a few modifications, so youngsters and adults of all abilities can come along and learn something, and have a lot of fun too,” explained Chris.
Teaching great technique to young riders makes a huge difference. This programme of CycleActive junior training is something we’ve seen at these events for 4 years now, and many of the youngsters who started with CycleActive back then are now blasting round the 25km or even 50km courses with real confidence.  Again, it’s completely free and you don’t need to sign up for the Sunday sessions – just check times on the board when you arrive.

Location and our man on the ground:
Builth Wells is the location for the Spring Marathon (11th April ‘10) and the Exposure Lights Big Night Out – Nigh Marathon on the 10th April ‘10. Our man in Builth Wells is John Lloyd – I don’t think we have to introduce him at all. John is the main man behind the series and an expert when it comes to the trails around Builth Wells.
Give him a ring on 01982 552923 if you have any more specific questions.

BUILTH WELLS - CHAIN REACTION CYCLES MTB MARATHON & ELBNO* - NIGHT MARATHON
The birthplace of the Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Marathon Series (formally known as the ‘100’ series) and with two events in the season, Builth Wells is the capital of the UK mountain bike endurance scene. Situated in the beautiful unspoiled countryside of Mid-Wales, Builth Wells is an ideal base from which to explore the many attractions and events held throughout the year in this part of the UK, especially the Chain Reaction Cycles MTB Marathon.
The river Wye flows through the centre of Builth Wells (and along the back of the event campground of the Royal Welsh Showground) on its way to Hereford and Ross-on-Wye, along the flanks of which stand many wonderful hotels and bed and breakfast establishments in the town. Builth Wells also has a picturesque golf course and conference facilities. Mid-Wales is largely unspoiled by industry and Builth Wells is situated at the centre, making it a wonderful place to explore the rest of Wales and the west of England. Take the chance and explore the history of Builth Wells and visit the wonderful castle site (now sadly only a mound), which is perched above the town.

Local Information
For information about local services and accommodation please get in touch with the local Tourist Information Centres and check out the local web sites.

BUILTH WELLS Tel: 01982 553307; Fax: 01982 553841; Email: builtic@powys.gov.uk; Address: The Groe Car Park Builth Wells Powys LD2 3BT; Web: www.builth.co.uk