Otway Odyssey MTB presented By FOCUS

Prestigious Otway Odyssey MTB Marathon Returns for it's 18th Edition

Press Release / 07.09.2023

Entries for Australia's legendary Otway Odyssey Mountain Bike Marathon and the Great Otway Gravel Grind presented by Focus, are now open; scheduled to take place on 24th and 25th February 2024 in Forrest, Victoria.

After achieving another record-breaking event earlier this year, it is anticipated that entry demand will continue to surge, solidifying the Otway Odyssey's legacy 18 years on.

Sam Maffett, General Manager of Rapid Ascent, shared his enthusiasm for the event, stating, "18 years ago the Otway Odyssey was but a dream – and here we are now with one of the most prestigious MTB events in Australia!”

Maffett, together with John Jacoby, co-owner of Rapid Ascent, meticulously craft each course to encompass the crème de la crème of mountain bike trails synonymous with the area.

Jacoby affirmed, "We deliberately engineered the Odyssey courses to be tough, particularly the 100km route! It serves as a genuine trial of skill and endurance, encompassing a plethora of flowing single track, unexplored segments, heart-racing descents, and the quintessential challenge of our signature lung-busting climbs!"

The acclaimed XC riding destination of Forrest will play host to the Odyssey MTB courses with the revamped trails in Forrest to once again play a key feature on each course - as introduced at the 2023 edition of the race.

Set against the backdrop of the Otway Ranges, competitors will be challenged with exhilarating uphill battles and equally rewarding downhill descents, designed to test the mettle of world champions, to weekend warriors alike.

The Otway Odyssey will be headlined by the premier 100km mountain bike course, along with 50km, 30km and 10km MTB races, as well as the ‘Grommets ride’ specially designed for kids.

History-making 7-time Otway Odyssey title holder Peta Mullens tells us why she continues to return to the event;

“It’s my favourite MTB marathon,” said Mullens. “Challenging, tough and full of single track; and I think my consistency on the course pays off!”

Complementing the MTB races is the esteemed Great Otway Gravel Grind, referred to as "the GOGG." This year marks its 8th edition, featuring both 97km and 49km course options.

The gravel grind races traverse the smooth, undulating dirt roads woven throughout the Otway Ranges encircling Forrest with participants being treated to panoramic vistas of the Great Ocean Road region.

The well-received 'time-out zones' are a staple, affording riders the opportunity to pause for coffee breaks and rendezvous with friends without impacting their official race times.

Lachlan McDonald, a former winner of the 49km gravel grind race noted, “It’s such a beautiful course; I took advantage of the untimed sections for a break with a coffee and a muffin, and I just loved that aspect!”

2024 will again see the continuation of the Odyssey Angel's program, initiated in 2017. The program is dedicated to fostering female riders’ involvement in off-road events, offering a number of engaging initiatives.

All races start and finish amidst a huge bike expo and food festival at the Forrest Football Ground.

“Thank you to everyone who continues to support the Odyssey and Gravel Grind events with us; and to the locals of Forrest who regularly dedicate their time to helping maintain these epic trails,” said Maffett.

Entries to the 2024 Otway Odyssey and Great Otway Gravel Grind are now open online at www.OtwayOdyssey.com.au and www.TheGOGG.com.au.