The Municipality of Viborg is proud to host the UEC MTB Marathon European Championships in conjunction with the annual Nordic Lake Festival on 18 August. This event gives amateur cyclists the opportunity to not only participate in a recreational race, but also measure their skills against those competing in the European Championships. 

Denmark stepped in as host after Poland pulled out. Viborg was originally scheduled to host the Danish MTB Marathon Championships in October, but this was moved to coincide with the European Championships. Amateurs are welcome to compete in one, two or three laps. 

"We are incredibly proud to host such an important event which raises our profile as an outdoor destination and puts our municipality on the European map. We look forward to welcoming hundreds of participants and spectators to an unforgettable experience with the professional setup of the Nordic Lake Festival," said Lars Stentoft, Director of Culture & Development in Viborg Municipality. 

"The UEC MTB Marathon European Championships is both a fantastic event in itself and an inspiration for everyone involved in MTB sports in Denmark. The support from the municipalities is crucial, and we are very pleased with their commitment to creating the best conditions for outdoor activities, especially in MTB sports. We are looking forward to a major international championship in some of the most beautiful scenery in Denmark," says John Lillelund, Acting President of the Danish Cycling Federation. 

Sport Event Denmark is thrilled that Viborg has seized the opportunity to support the European Federation in hosting this event. "Denmark has a proud tradition of hosting international sporting events, including cycling events. It is exceptional that amateurs have the opportunity to race on the same course as the elite, and we know from the 2022 World MTB Marathon Championships in Denmark that this discipline appeals to amateur cyclists," says Lars Lundov, CEO of Sport Event Denmark. 

"We have received tremendous support, and being able to host both the Danish and European Championships alongside the Nordic Lake Festival demonstrates our ability to organise major events effectively and sustainably. We have designed a route that offers an exceptional experience through Denmark's most beautiful nature," said Henrik Karlsen, project coordinator at Outdoor Arena. 

The Nordic Lake Festival now consists of three mountain bike events: "12 Hours in Jutland, an MTB relay from 08:00 to 20:00 on Saturday, and the Danish and UEC MTB Marathon European Championships on Sunday. 

The event will take place in Vyborg, Denmark, on 18 August 2024 and it will consist of a 25 km course with approximately 587 metres of elevation and an 8km start loop with approximately 100 metres of elevation (Elite and Master only, starting at 09:00 in front of Viborg Cathedral). The organisers expect a participation of around 800 cyclists from all over Europe to take part, with more than 200 volunteers working throughout the weekend. 

The UEC MTB Marathon European Championships are organised for the European Cycling Union (UEC) by Viborg Municipality, with financial support from Sport Event Denmark, Vestjysk Bank Viborg, Viborg Culture and Sports Foundation, and the local business community, in cooperation with the Danish Cycling Federation. National teams can register via their systems and will be transferred to the event a week before. All other participants can register via Sportstiming. 

Nordic Park will be the centre of activity with tents, food stalls, and a stage for four free concerts on Saturday. As with almost every major competition in Denmark, the weekend is more economically sustainable as several events are held under one umbrella. Spectators will be able to watch the riders pass by several times in the event centre. The course includes exciting features such as the Polaris Root climb and the IMBA descent.