How did the Australians fare at marathon world championships?

Australian marathon national champion Courtney Sherwell has recorded a top 20 finish at the UCI Mountain Bike Marathon World Championships in Snowshoe, USA. 

The Victorian finished 18^th in a 51-rider field in the elite women’s on a brutal 100km course.  

Austrian Mona Mitterwallner made it back-to-back victories crossing 5:15:06 to claim the rainbow jersey. 

Sherwell crossed in 5:59:25 and was the best of the Australian women with Ella Bloor in 25 while Peta Mullens was a DNF. 

"The world’s course at Snowshoe was very physically taxing for very little reward. There had been a lot of rain in the lead up to Sunday which made the roots out of course even more slippery and extra muddy," Sherwell said.

"The first 2hrs felt like your were riding a bucking bull and I’ve never experienced so much arm pump before. Considering this was my first World Championships experience, I’m very happy with 18th. It was an honour to line up on the start line next to the world’s best."

Sherwell now will turn her attention to the Gravel World Championships which will be held in Belgium in two weeks' time. 

In the elite men Brendan Johnston clocked a 4:55:19 to finish in 38 place as Denmark’s Simon Andreassan claimed the world championship title. 

The Canberra athlete was part of a 10-man finish group all within six seconds of a top 30 finish. 

Fellow Australian team-mates Joel Green (53) and Tali Lane Welsh (58) also finished inside the top 60 . 

Full results can be found here.