Bicycle marathon - endurance racing competition. Bicycle marathons are held at long distances (60-1000 km) or for a while (3-24 hours or more). Trails are cross country ( cross-country ) or on the highway . Athletes need to competently calculate their strength over the entire distance, and teams need to properly organize support (nutrition, repair).
Cyclists, marathoners, road racers are also called randonners .
In Russia, bicycle marathons are held by various bicycle communities.
Since 2011, the Cup of bicycle marathons of Russia has been held among amateurs and professionals.
The Leningrad Region is considered the most “marathon” region - more than 10 marathons per season, including Michurinsky, the largest in Russia.
The largest in Russia are Michurinsky, Toksovsky, Lembolovsky (Leningrad region), Pless (Ivanovo region) cycling marathons - more than 600 participants at the finish of all distances. The largest Ural bicycle marathon is Kirgishany , the largest Siberian bicycle marathon is Krasport. Each of them gathers more than 300 participants every year.
The world's largest cycling marathon is Birkibeyner (Norway) - about 18,000 participants.
The first rating cup for bicycle marathons appeared in 2010 in the Urals - the Crystal Cup , it combines the Ural bicycle marathons.
Since 2012, the Cup of bicycle marathons of the Leningrad region has been held.