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.
