The Trek National Marathon Championships returned to Margam Park on the weekend to see the UK’s hottest talent battle it out for a national jersey around one of the hardest venues in the country. Well over 100 competitors lined up to do battle over the 100km race, comprised of four gruelling laps of a mountainous circuit. As one rider described the lap to me, “You do some climbing, followed by a bit more climbing, then a bit more climbing, with some climbing near the end!”

Despite each category containing at least one ‘hot favourite’, this being mountain biking where anything can happen and usually does, each race was actually wide open. No-one could afford to be complacent, all being to aware of the pitfalls of mechanicals or just plain running out of steam.

In the men’s race, crowd pleaser Nick Craig was keen to get stuck in to another lengthy battle with defending champion James Ouchterlony, whilst SIS/Trek riders Ian Wilkinson and Dave Collins had plans for their own world domination. As the gun went of the riders were off like a shot ready to hit the first sharp climb first. A small group soon formed comprised of Wilkinson, Ouchterlony, Craig and Paul Oldham. By lap two only Wilkinson and Craig were left up front, with Ouchterlony out of the race and Oldham flagging over the distance. Lap three and Wilkinson knew that Craig was a man of experience and to win this race meant more than brute strength. With that in mind he made his move, opened a gap and rode the final stages of the race battling his demons and not looking over his shoulder just in case the Scott rider was closing in.
Just over five hours later and it was all over, with Wilkinson picking up his first senior national title and Craigy once more picking up 2nd. Duncan Jamieson rode a steady race and came home strongly in 3rd.

Defending champion and marathon specialist Liz Scalia was keen to hang onto her jersey, but before her and victory lay 100km of tough terrain plus a few women who would be out to dash her plans. Sue Clarke, eager to try marathon racing, soon stretched the race out leading from the front, with Scalia, keeping composed behind whilst relative newcomer Sally Bigham darted between the two hardly believing she was in the mix.

By lap two Clarke had called it a day due to illness, leaving Scalia and Bigham fighting it out up front. Bigham knew Scalia was a fantastic climber but knew also that her weak point was descending and played that to her full advantage. Taking the initiative on lap three she opened up a slight margin, which she increased to well over nine mins on the last lap to take the win much to her sheer astonishment. Scalia for the 3rd time in her career had to settle for silver, whilst Paula Moseley rode a brilliant race to pick up 3rd.

Michael Powell continued his domination of the marathon scene this season by leading the vet’s 100km race from the start and never looking back taking a much deserved win, just ahead of Gavin Rumbles and Ross Porter.