What is it?
The Nation’s Capital has the greatest concentration of high quality, purpose built, mountain biking single track in Australia, and Capital Punishment takes in the very best sections for your enjoyment. Capital Punishment is the only opportunity to link together all this amazing flowing single track right across Canberra. The fast and fun 100km course links all parts of East, Central and West Kowen Forest, Sparrow Hill and Stromlo Forest Park. The equally enjoyable 50km course links up all the smoothest and non-technical trails at Stromlo Forest Park. Any mountain bike enduro is hard work, however Capital Punishment courses are not too hilly and the single track in the course is the smoothest and most flowing. It is made up of the kind of tracks that everyone loves to ride. To make sure everyone finishes by dark there are time cut-offs at feed stations, however these are extremely generous and in dry conditions no rider has ever missed a cut-off. The 100km usually has 43km of single track and the 50km usually has 24km of single track. The feed stations are stocked with danishes, ham and pickle scrolls, hot cross buns, fruit, Endura gels and Endura rehydration drink.
Thank you for a terrific event. The organisation and running of the event is efficient and friendly and the track is great. This is a very inclusive event and caters for the slower 100s extremely well. It is my favourite mtb enduro event! I am very grateful to both organisers and volunteers for consistently providing a great day. Thank you. Wendy Copeland, Canberra
Capital Punishment is the first event in the Maverick Marathon Series – a series combining three to six famous races all at iconic locations and giving riders the chance to measure and compete against their friends over the season. The events in the Maverick Series are Capital Punishment (March, ACT), The Giant Odyssey (March, VIC), Flight Centre Active Travel Cycle Epic (Sept, QLD), CamelBak Highland Fling (Nov, NSW).
Capital Punishment attracts all types of riders, from Australia’s elite mountain bikers, to keen club cyclists and groups of friends, to those who may have just purchased their first mountain bike. For many riders, Capital Punishment is a race. But for the bulk of people it is simply a great day of touring the great Canberra mountain bike trails. Click here for reasons why we think you would enjoy Capital Punishment. Click here to read other testimonials.
Both 100km and 50km events are point to point courses. The 100km start is at East Kowen Forest between Queanbeyan and Bungendore and the 50km start is at The National Arboretum Canberra. The bag drop service will take your clothing / possessions from the start line to the finish. Free mini buses with bike trailers get you from the finish back to either the start or to Hotel Realm in Barton. If you are flying from interstate and have no friends in Canberra, your simplest option is to rent a small car to get you to the start and take the free mini bus service back once you finish. Click here for various transport options. Click here for a Google map showing the locations of 100k start, 50k start, finish, event registration and the spectator friendly feed station 2 for the 100k.
The race registration is at the wonderful, 5 star, Hotel Realm. Post race there is a festival at the finish in Stromlo Forest Park which includes jumping castles and a kids mountain bike race. Presentations are at Stromlo Forest Park.
Capital Punishment is held annually on the third weekend of March however the 2015 event will be on the second weekend of March. Entries usually open in late November.
Everyone is welcome to participate or watch and we hope to see you there!
The AROC Team