And they have the support of British Cycling who have just announced a return of their MTB Marathon Championships to the town.

Durty Events took over the Selkirk MTB in 2013 after the original team behind the annual mountain bike race pulled out.

During its first few years the 'Merida’ marathon races through the Tweed Valley and hills above the town attracted riders from all over the country.

At its peak more than 1000 entries were received for the three different distances.

But numbers gradually dwindled as the mountain bike calendar became saturated.

Durty Events, under the guidance of Paul McGreal and local trailbuilder Pete Laing, resurrected the event.

From 2013’s entry of 500 numbers increased this year to 600.

And Mr McGreal believes the event can continue climbing towards the numbers it attracted around 2005 and 2006. He said: “We have a target of 800 for 2015 and we feel that is achievable.

“When we took over the Selkirk MTB Marathon was on its way down but it is on its way back up again. We thought it was far too good an event to lose.” British Cycling announced last week that the 2015 British MTB Marathon Championships are to return to the trails around Selkirk as part of the event.

The cream of Europe’s riders will take part in the race on Saturday, May 2, over a scenic 75 kilometre course for the famous blue, red and white striped jersey.

Mr McGreal added: “We’re really excited to have been asked to again organise the British Championships alongside the popular Selkirk Mountain Bike Marathon.

“We’re expecting the very best riders in the UK to come and test themselves on the very best single-lap course in the country.” The Championship, as well as the Selkirk MTB races, will all start and finish in Selkirk.

A British Cycling spokesman said: “We are delighted to be returning to Selkirk for the 2015 Marathon Championships. “The Scottish Borders have some excellent trails, and it’s one of the few areas in Britain that can provide a proven, challenging course over a single loop.” Away from the Championship races there are three fully marked courses over 25km, 50km and 75km - something for families, novices, intermediates, enthusiasts and racing snakes alike. All the courses are mainly 'real’ mountain biking with a mix of natural and hand-made singletrack, twin-track forest roads and ancient drove roads. Riders will visit the valleys of the Rivers Tweed, Yarrow and Ettrick, and they can expect lung and thigh busting climbs that are rewarded with epic grin-inducing descents.

The 75km course will also include some of the very best man-made trail centre routes at Innerleithen.

The 50km and 75km routes will include a few special timed Enduro sections to add a little more spice.

Earlybird entry discounts for the sportive races are available until December 31 – just £30 per entry instead of £35.

The British MTB Marathon Championships and the Selkirk MTB Marathon will take place on Saturday, May 2 and the event will be based at Selkirk Rugby Club.

Online entry is via www.entrycentral.com and there are also links from www.selkirkmtbmarathon.com.