New marathon champions to be crowned in Melrose

The 2025 AusCycling Marathon National Championships roll into Melrose, South Australia this weekend, with fresh names set to be etched into the record books as new elite champions are crowned.

Hot off her surprise victory at the AusCycling Cyclo-cross National Championships in Ballarat, Peta Mullens will line up chasing yet another national title.

The Bendigo rider is no stranger to the long format, having already won the marathon crown three times, most recently in 2023.

Mullens will face tough competition from a strong women’s field.

Among them is 2022 champion Emma Viotto and Holly Harris (2019).

Both are more than capable of upsetting Mullens’ bid for a fourth marathon title.

The elite men’s race shapes as a wide-open contest.

Last year’s runner-up Scott Bowden returns hungry to go one better, while Olympian Daniel McConnell, who claimed bronze in 2024, brings experience and consistency.

Adding intrigue is Cameron Ivory, who dominated the cyclo-cross season to secure the overall series crown.

The Launceston rider has long been a force in short-course mountain biking but is still searching for a breakthrough in the marathon format, with fifth place in 2024 his best result so far.

Riders will battle across an 83.1-kilometre course weaving through the renowned trails of the Southern Flinders Ranges.

The rugged terrain around Melrose is expected to test every aspect of endurance and skill, from steep climbs to rocky technical descents.

Adaptive riders will also take to the trails in a 41-kilometre challenge, showcasing the depth and diversity of marathon racing in Australia while the e-bike riders face a 48.9km pedal.