100KM MTB – The unofficial ‘Marathon National Champs’
The 100km Otway Odyssey races through a land of myths and legends – on a course that turns boys into men and women into warriors. THIS is the race of legends and the pinnacle MTB marathon in the country. Grit your teeth and show us what you’re made of in 2026.
NEW 100KM MTB COURSE FOR 2026…
…with references to the trails of the past, and taking in the best of the new, this is an appropriate ‘challenge’ for the events’ 20th year.
It’s not at all surprising to me that we’re celebrating the 20th edition. I still remember the pre and post-race emotions of my first Odyssey in 2010… even after 12 finishes and 12 podiums the challenge of this event is still euphoric! – Peta Mullens.
Course Summary
Start / finish: Forrest Football Ground
Date: Saturday 28th February.
Race Start: 7:30am (Elite Female 7:00am)
Length and elevation: 99.1km with 2,220m ascent
Course Segments:
- 32km leg 1: Starting with a bang!!
Leg 1 takes you to the top of the Otways on some lung busting climbs up Hayden Track before some eye watering descents down Newcombe Spur Track and back to the football ground. This is true Odyssey material.
- 38km leg 2: let it flow
Leg 2 hits up the best of the Yaugher single track network with a race down all the favourite tracks including the Super Loop, Marriners Run, J2 and the best sections of Vista. As a true blast from the past we’ll even revisit YoYo!
- 29km leg 3: shut up legs
Leg 3 heads south to the most popular trails in the network, featuring Red Carpet, Follow the Dog, Roller Coaster and more. These are not the biggest hills of the course but they may be the most painful – until you bask in the glory of the finish chute! (it’s all worth it in the end).
CLIF Nutrition and Skratch Hydration points:
- WP1: 32km pt at Football Ground
- WP2: 45km pt at Yaugher trailhead
- WP3: 51km pt at Yaugher trailhead
- WP4: 70km pt at Football Ground
- WP5: 85km pt at West Barwon Dam
- Finish: 99.5km mark
Double Up?
Make the most of your weekend in Forrest by doing a double and racing on Saturday and Sunday! (and get 40% off the 2nd entry fee!). Here are a couple of double-up options (more details here):
- Line up for the premier King / Queen of the Otways title by riding the 100km MTB on Saturday and the 106km Gravel on Sunday, OR
- Contest the Titans of the Trails category by riding the 100km MTB on Saturday and the 50km MTB on Sunday.
Course Map
Detailed Description and Analysis
“All thriller, no filler”
That’s 👆 our short-form way of describing then NEW 100km Odyssey course.
It still has all the aspects riders have grown to know and love:
- 3-lap format so you come through the central feedzone (and cheer zone!) twice during the event
- Machine built single track where you can tune out and find your flow (think ‘Follow the Dog’) …
- Old-school trails that will sort the skilled riders from the pretenders (‘J2’ anyone?)…
- Long, gravel climbs to test your fitness and make your break (fear not, Kanglaang will make itself known)…
Plus we’ve listened to your feedback and have made some significant changes:
- Moved the biggest climb to the start – bank some vert while you’re fresh!
- MORE single track (we’re bringing back some long-lost favourites like Foxtail and Yo Yo )
- Less derailleur-breaking “adventure” trails (no more Noonday!)…
- The perfect distribution of challenges (Lap 1 = BIG climb, big descent, Lap 2 = singletrack for daaaaays, Lap 3 = punchy ups and fast downs)
Now, you might be wondering, “how should I race it?”.
That’s up to you.
But we will give you 3 little hints:
HINT 1: 100km is a LONG way.
HINT 2: Single track in Forrest is a blast when you’re fresh and hell on earth when you’re buckled.
HINT 3: This is, first and foremost, an eating (and drinking) competition!
The rest is up to you.
“A true mix of varied terrain; the best riding possibly Australia all over – open road, climbing, bombing, creek crossings, berms, sand, mud, open fast single, tight single, in lush rainforest, in arrid sand… 100 Ks of a mix you won’t forget!” – Hugh Moll, 2021 100km Odyssey rider