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Gazley Skoda Karapoti Classic

Welcome...

WELCOME... To the Southern Hemisphere's longest running mountain bike event!

Based in Wellington's rugged Akatarawa Ranges, 10k north of Upper Hutt City, the Karapoti Classic is New Zealand's premier mountain bike event.

This old-school adventure ride combines a huge but achievable challenge with superb scenery and an awesome social scene. With options ranging from the feature 50k  Classic to the 20k Challenge and the Kids' 5k Klassic, there's something for everyone.

Established in 1986, this is NZ's original mountain bike race and the one race on every mountain biker's wish list. But don't take our word for it - Enter Now. But be quick... Entries are limited to 1000 starters !


Pick Your Passion

Something for all age & ability - every finisher wins a medal !

50K Classic


The feature 50k is the event that kick-started mountain biking in this country. There's something for everyone, but entry is limited to 1000 riders.

  • All Race Info, including Race Pack Pick Up, Start Times & Rules... Click Here
  • 50k Course Info... Click Here.

Elite

The feature category within the 50k Classic, with prize money totalling $6000. Limited to 75 starters, riders must qualify for an "Elite Start" via one of the following results in the previous 3 years:

1)  For Men a sub-2hr 50min Karapoti. For Women a sub-3hr 40min Karapoti
2)  A top-20 finish in the NZ Mtn Bike Series elite division
3)  A top-5 finish in your NZ Mtn Bike Series age group division
4) By submitting an equivalent time or placing from other cycling events of similar stature.

  • Organisers reserve the right to re-allocate entrants who do not meet Elite criteria.
    Pro-Elite entrants must be aged 13 or older.
  • The Elite and Expert categories race together for overall honours among both men and women, with top-10 being awarded on-stage. Prize money is awarded to placings 1st to 5th and product from 6th to 10th.
  • In addition a $1000 bonus will be paid if the overall winners break the Male and/or Female overall race record.
  • No outside assistance will be allowed in the Elite or Expert categories, except by race officials within the designated aid stations.

Expert

This category caters for competitive riders in the 50k Classic wanting to contend for a top 10 in their age group...or a sub-3 hour finish.

Limited to 100 starters, riders qualify for an "Expert Start" via one of the following results in the previous three years:

1)  A top-15 Karapoti age group finish
2)  A top-15 finish in their NZ Mtn Bike Series age group division
3)  A sub-3hr 15min Karapoti finish
4)  By submitting an equivalent result from other cycling events of similar stature.

The Expert category will have Age Divisions for both Male and Female as following:

1)  under-19 Years
2)  19-29 Years
3)  30-39 Years
4)  40-49 Years
5)  50-59 Years
6)  60-69 Years
7)  70+ Years

  • Expert entrants must be aged 13 or older.
  • The Elite and Expert categories race together for overall honours among both men and women, with top-10 being awarded on-stage. Prize money is awarded to placings 1st to 5th and product from 6th to 10th.
  • In addition a $1000 bonus will be paid if the overall winners break the Male and/or Female overall race record.
  • The Expert category also race for 10-year age group awards, with prizes for 1st to 3rd placings. Awards are calculated from the Expert start only, except for riders aged 70+ as below.
  • Prizes will be awarded from 1st to 3rd place in each division, for both Male and Female.
  • Organisers reserve the right to re-allocate entrants who do not meet Expert criteria.
  • No outside assistance will be allowed in the Elite or Expert categories, except by race officials within the designated aid stations.
  • Riders aged 70+ can ride the Weekend Warrior category if they prefer and their result will be applied within the Expert category.

Weekend Warriors

For the mere mortals amongst us – whether you're a Karapoti rookie, or shooting for a PB, or trying to trump your mate – the Weekend Warrior category is your best opportunity to meet your personal goals.

The Weekend Warrior category starts in groups seeded according to projected time goals as following:

1)  3hrs to 3hr30min
2)  3:30-4:00
3)  4:00hrs Onward.

  • When entering you must elect which start group you will start with. On Race Day you line up in this start group.
  • Timing chips will be programmed for your start group, so start in the correct group, otherwise your finish time will be incorrect.
  • 50k finish times vary from approx 2hrs 20min to 6hrs. The average is approx 3hrs 45min  for men and 4hrs 30min for women.
  • For help with predicted times see past results under the History menu.
  • Entrants aged 60+ will also have their result applied to the Expert 60-69 and 70+ results.
  • Entries from riders aged less than 13 years are at the race directors discretion.

The Special Categories

Mountain biking's underground enthusiasts - Single Speed, Uni-Cycles, Retro, Cyclo Cross, Fat Bikes and Tandems - have their own special start on race day, but race for awards in their own category. 50k entries from riders aged less than 13 years are at the race directors discretion. 

  • A prize is awarded for the fastest rider in each special category.
  • Special categories are not eligible for normal categories above, but are eligible for the team categories below.


Fat Bike Category:  Something for the mountain bike fashionista. Minimum 40mm wide rims and 3.5-inch tyres. 

Single Speed:  Something for the minimalists amongst us!

Uni-Cycles:  We dare you one-wheel wonders to take on the feature 50k!

Retro:  For lovers of bikes from back-in-the-day. That means no suspension, no clip-in pedals, no disc brakes, no carbon anywhere. Old-school clothing also encouraged.

Cyclo Cross:  A taste of Euro for followers of cycling latest cult craze. Cyclo cross bikes must have drop bars, no suspension and max tyre width of 40mm. Just choose Classic and tick Cyclo Cross.

Tandem:  Try your hand on a tandem or introduce your kids to Karapoti on a trailer bike. Both riders are considered one entry and pay one entry fee. Enter on one entry form, putting one rider as first name and the second rider as surname. Trailer bikes are ok.


Teams

The 50k team categories tally the results of three or more entrants from the same club or work place or family.
Riders who want to be included in a team should enter the 50k normally and also select a team category and team name.

Open Teams:  Whether you're a bunch of mates, a cycle club, an elite team, a bike shop, a cycle importer, a frame builder or a house builder, teams of three or more riders can win rider prizes plus bragging rights amongst the cycling community.

Family Teams:  Something for families that play together. Whether siblings, in-laws, husbands, wives, aunts, uncles, cousins and children, teams of three or more win rider prizes and something to tell the grandkids.

Corporate Teams:  Cane your corporate competitor! Teams of three or more can win rider prizes plus bragging rights in the business community. But team members must be employed by the business they are entering with.


Off Beat Awards

Best-Dressed:  A Karapoti favourite and a chance for riders in any race to stand out. Past winners have included Darth Vader, fairies, Superman, Batman, devils, medieval warriors and wedding nuptials. The best dressed rider wins Ground Effect riding apparel.

Worst Luck:  A Karapoti favourite and a chance for riders from any race to stand out with their tall tale of the race that got away. Could be a crash, could be major mechanicals. In 2010 Wellington's Chris Henry won with 15 punctures, then won again in 2011 with a spectacular crash !

Youngest & Oldest:  The youngest and eldest riders within the feature 50k win prizes, so don't let age get in your way! 50k entries from riders aged less than 13 years are at the race directors discretion.

20K Challenge


The 20k Challenge is a chance to rub shoulders with riders of all age and ability with a mass start of 300 riders making for an exciting introduction to the Karapoti experience.

  • All Race Info, including Race Pack Pick Up, Start Times & Rules... Click Here.
  • 20k Course Info... Click Here.

Age Groups

Your chance to race your gender/age peers over the scenic 20k course. All entrants except Special Categories below should select "Age Group" when they enter.

Your age group division is allocated via your age on race day, as per the following:

1)  Open - Men & Women Overall
2)  
40+ Years - Men & Women
3)  14-18 years - Men & Women
4)  Under-14 Years - Boys & Girls 

  • Entries are limited to 300 starters.
  • Prizes will be awarded to the first three male and female in each age group category.
  • Entries from riders aged less than 10 years are at the race directors discretion.

The Special Categories

Mountain biking's underground enthusiasts - Single Speed, Uni-Cycles, Retro, Cyclo Cross, Fat Bikes and Tandems - all start together but race for awards in their own category.

  • A prize is awarded for the fastest rider in each special category.
  • Special categories are not eligible for age group categories above, but are eligible for the team categories below.
  • Entries from riders aged less than 10 years are at the race directors discretion.


Fat Bike Category:  Something for the mountain bike fashionista. Minimum 40mm wide rims and 3.5-inch tyres. 

Single Speed:  Something for the minimalists amongst us!

Uni-Cycles:  We dare you one-wheel wonders to take on the feature 50k!

Retro:  For lovers of bikes from back-in-the-day. That means no suspension, no clip-in pedals, no disc brakes, no carbon anywhere. Old-school clothing also encouraged.

Cyclo Cross:  A taste of Euro for followers of cycling latest cult craze. Cyclo cross bikes must have drop bars, no suspension and max tyre width of 40mm. Just choose Classic and tick Cyclo Cross.

Tandem:  Try your hand on a tandem or introduce your kids to Karapoti on a trailer bike. Both riders are considered one entry and pay one entry fee. Enter on one entry form, putting one riders full name in the first name space, and the second riders full name in the surname space. Trailer bikes are ok.

E-Bikes:  In 2020 we're trialling E-mtn bikes in the 20k only. Karapoti is a much tougher on bikes and bodies than most events, so this is very much a trial and is open only to factory built e-mtn bikes that meet the following criteria: Pedal-assist motors only; minimum 250w drive motor; maximum speed assistance of 32k/hr; minimum battery size of 250watt-hour. Bikes must not have any form of aftermarket electric modification, conversion kit, bike hacks, throttle control or hub-motor.  This trial is aimed solely at participation with no prizes, but you will be timed officially and recorded in results. E-mtn bike participants will line up as per normal with other 20k Challenge participants. You should avoid getting your motor wet, so be careful at all river crossings and at the start and finish use the northern river crossing.


Teams

The 20k team categories tally the results of three or more entrants from the same club or work place or family. Riders who want to be included in a team should enter the 20k normally and also select a team category and team name.

Team categories in the 20k are as per following:

Open Teams:  Whether you're a bunch of mates, a cycle club, an elite team, a bike shop, a cycle importer, a frame builder or a house builder, teams of three or more riders can win rider prizes plus bragging rights amongst the cycling community.

Family Teams:  Something for families that play together. Whether siblings, in-laws, husbands, wives, aunts, uncles, cousins and children, teams of three or more win rider prizes and something to tell the grandkids.

Corporate Teams:  Cane your corporate competitor! Teams of three or more can win rider prizes plus bragging rights in the business community. But team members must be employed by the business they are entering with.

School Teams:  Get your school-mates together and challenge other school in your area. Teams of three or more can win rider prizes plus bragging rights. But team members must all be enrolled at the same school.


Off Beat Awards

Best-Dressed:  A Karapoti favourite and a chance for riders in any race to stand out. Past winners have included Darth Vader, fairies, Superman, Batman, devils, medieval warriors and wedding nuptials. The best dressed rider wins Ground Effect riding apparel.

Worst Luck:  A Karapoti favourite and a chance for riders from any race to stand out with their tall tale of the race that got away. Could be a crash, could be major mechanicals. In 2010 Wellington's Chris Henry won with 15 punctures, then won again in 2011 with a spectacular crash !

Youngest & Oldest:  The youngest and eldest riders within the 20k win prizes, so don't let age get in your way! 20k entries from riders aged less than 10 years are at the race directors discretion.

Kids 5k Klassic


Every Finisher Wins A Commemorative Medal !


The Kids' 5k Klassic is designed as an adventurous intro to mountain biking for primary schools.

The course is a safe and scenic 5k on entry level tracks, but includes some fun and filthy stuff like stream crossing, lots of mud and the odd surprise along the way.

  • Entry is open to primary school children aged 5 to 11, but is limited to 100 participants.
  • Parents are welcome and encouraged to ride with their child at no charge.
  • Prizes are awarded to the fastest boy and fastest girl in the following age groups (Age 5&6, Age 7, Age 8, Age 9, Age 10&11).
  • There must be three entrants in a category for prizes to be awarded.
  • All Race Info, including Race Pack Pick Up, Start Times & Rules... Click Here.
  • Kids 5k Course Info... Click Here.

School Team Competitions

Kids 5k participants can form a school team of three or more riders. Just fill in your school name in the team section when you enter.

  • There will be a prizes for the fastest school.
  • There will a prize for the school with the most participants.

Be The Best Dressed Kid

Get in the Karapoti groove by dressing up as your favourite character. It could be Darth Vader, fairies, Superman, Batman, minions, ninja turtles, Maori warriors, clowns... whatever pushes your mountain biking button!

  • The best dressed rider wins cool Ground Effect mountain bike kit !

Go On - Dare Your Kids To Challenge Themselves !

But be warned! Almost every Kids' Klassic finisher - such as Sampson Mollan below - returns to take on the 20k and 50k.