If you have just tuned in to the Otway Odyssey (where have you been?!) – or maybe you’re new to the mountain biking and got on your bike post COVID… either way, here is a bit of background so you can catch up to the rest of us… because the Otway Odyssey has been around for a while!

20 YEARS OF THE OTWAY ODYSSEY + 10 YEARS OF THE GOGG

The Otway Odyssey has carved its name as one of Australia’s most iconic mountain bike marathons. Since its debut in 2007, it has challenged and inspired thousands of riders who come seeking not only a race, but a rite of passage on the rugged trails of the Otway Ranges. In 2026, the Odyssey celebrates its 20th edition – two decades of sweat, grit, triumph and tales that have become legend in Australian cycling.

The very first Odyssey was a leap into the unknown. With Forrest’s freshly built trails still bedding in, 1,000 riders signed up to tackle Victoria’s first 100km MTB marathon. That inaugural course from Apollo Bay over the Otways was a brute: searing heat, endless climbs, and almost every inch of singletrack available. It quickly earned the event a reputation – the hardest MTB marathon in the country – and riders flocked to prove themselves against it.

Over the years the course has evolved, shifting start lines and linking together an ever-refined mix of climbs, flowing descents, and the now world-class trail network around Forrest. But the defining feature has never changed: the Odyssey is a true test. Riders know that conquering it means something.

Weather has added its own flavour. Some years have baked riders under relentless heat, while others turned the Otways into a mud-slicked battlefield. The 2009 edition, where mud forced competitors to push their bikes downhill, remains etched in Odyssey folklore. More recently, perfect blue-sky conditions have delivered fast, flowing races showcasing the best of the trails.

The event has consistently attracted Australia’s top talent – and international stars too. US Olympian and MTB Hall of Famer Tinker Juarez made headlines in 2008, while Germany’s Judith Arndt, a world champion and double Olympian, stormed to victory in 2010. Australian legends have stamped their mark as well: Peta Mullens with a record seven Odyssey crowns, and Chris Jongewaard with six wins of his own, dominating an era of men’s racing. Behind them, everyday riders chasing their own finish line glory have always been at the heart of the event – none more impressive than the handful who have completed every single 100km Odyssey to date.

In 2017, the Odyssey weekend expanded with the launch of the Great Otway Gravel Grind (the GOGG). Offering 97km and 49km gravel courses through the stunning backroads of the Otways, the GOGG quickly developed its own loyal following and in 2026 celebrates its 10th anniversary. Together, the OO and GOGG now bring riders of all disciplines together in Forrest for a full weekend of cycling celebration.

The Odyssey Angels program, launched in 2018, has further cemented the event’s commitment to inclusivity, encouraging and supporting more women to take part – with outstanding success.

Across two decades the Odyssey has evolved, adapted, and thrived. Courses have been reinvented, trails upgraded, and formats expanded – but its spirit remains unchanged. It’s a tough, rewarding day on the bike, set in one of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes.

In 2026, the Odyssey turns 20 and the GOGG turns 10. Milestones like these are rare in Australian cycling, and they’re only possible thanks to the riders who have embraced the challenge year after year. The legend continues – are you ready to write your chapter?

PREVIOUS 100KM ODYSSEY WINNERS

Year	Male Winner	Time	Female Winner	Time
2007*	Murray Spink	4:59:61	Tory Thomas	6:04:30
2008*	Chris Jongewaard	5:06.15	Jennifer Smith	6:24.39
2009*	Chris Jongewaard	4:30.46	Katherine O’Shea	5:43.18
2010*	Adrian Jackson	4:44.43	Judith Arndt	5:48.59
2011	Chris Jongewaard	4:22.06	Peta Mullens	5:51.53
2012	Lachlan Norris	4:32.52	Peta Mullens	5:50.42
2013	Chris Jongewaard	4:19.19	Renata Bucher	5:13.35
2014	Chris Jongewaard	4:27.19	Rebecca Locke	5:23.51
2015	Chris Jongewaard	4:20.39	Jenni King	5:13.33
2016	Chris Hamilton	4:18.20	Peta Mullens	5:06.14
2017	Tasman Nankervis	4:20:28	Peta Mullens	5:21:25
2018	Ryan Standish	4:31:28	Peta Mullens	5:22:00
2019	Brendan Johnston	4:22:09	Holly Harris	5:07:02
2020	Robbie Hucker	4:15:39	Peta Mullens	5:22:54
2021*	Dan McConnell	4:32:30	Bec Henderson	5:26:25
2022	Brendan Johnston	4:38:39	Bec Henderson	5:28:03
2023	Dan McConnell	4:36:20	Peta Mullens	5:25:10
2024	Tali Lane Welsh	4:27:38	Bec Henderson	5:16:34
2025^	Brendan Johnston	3:27:56^	Izzy Flint	4:12:38^

HONOUR ROLL

These men and women have started and finished all 19 previous 100km Otway Odyssey races – an incredible effort!:

• Brian John
• David Rusden
• Dave Scarlett
• Craig Sullivan. 

We look forward to celebrating their 20th races at the 2026 event. YOU GOT THIS!