European Marathon Championships hosted in Albstadt

The Gonso Albstadt Mountain Bike Classic will serve as this year's European Marathon Championship on June 14-15. A 95km course with 2,500m of climbing and lots of corners awaits participants, who will contest two laps of both the north and south loop portions of the course - thereby passing through the start / finish area several times. Races in the Albstadt, Germany, location historically draw large, vocal crowds.

"When I first time raced in Albstadt, I was really distracted caused by a really noisy crowd and I got goose bumps on my skin," said German rider Heike Hundertmark at the event presentation.

The day prior to the marathon, a sprint-distance race will be held for amateur racers and kids. The format will be similar to cross country ski races, with quarter, semi-finals and finals.

For more information, visit www.albstadt-mtb-classic.de.