Entries for the UK Marathon Championships, part of the Chain Reaction MTB Marathon Series for the first time, will close on  Monday May 7.

The event, to be hosted in Selkirk on Sunday May 20, is traditionally held over a lapped course, but the 2012 Championships will be run over an 85km loop.

Entry is only open to riders with a valid BCF racing licence and there is no entry available on the day. National jerseys will be awarded for the winners of the senior male, senior female, veteran male and veteran female categories, as well as medals for the first three places in each category.

And if you don’t have a BCF licence, you can still enter the ‘non-competitive’ marathon, which will be run on the same course and will have the same support – the only difference is that you’re not in a race and will start just behind the Marathon Championships, and entry is available on the day.

Sunday’s mountain bike events are part of a weekend of cycling activities around Selkirk, a favourite stop on the CRC MTB Marathon Series circuit.  On May 19 the Vitus Road Sportives will be coming to town with 47 and 95-mile course. Camping, parking and a pasta party are all included in the entry price.

Enter online at www.mtb-marathon.co.uk