50k Categories

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. Karapoti result - Men: sub-2hr 45min,
2. Karapoti result - Women: sub-3hr 30min,
3. Top-20 in the NZ Mtn Bike Series elite,
4. Top-5 in your NZ Mtn Bike Series age group,
5. Equivalent result from other major events.

• Pro-Elite entrants must be aged 13 or older.
• Elite and Expert race together for overall honours among both men and women, with top-10 awarded on-stage. Prize money is awarded for 1st to 5th and product from 6th to 10th.
• A $1000 bonus will be paid if the overall winners break 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

For competitive riders in the 50k Classic wanting to contend for a top-10 in their age group... or a sub-3 hour finish. It is 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 in their NZ Mtn Bike Series age group,
3. A sub-3hr 15min Karapoti finish,
4. Equivalent result from other major events.

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

• Expert entrants must be aged 13 or older.
• Elite and Expert race together for overall honours among both men and women, with top-10 awarded on-stage. 
• 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 age group, for both Male and Female.
• 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 opportunity to meet your personal goals. So if a top-10 in your age group isn't your cup of tea but riding with your mates or family and other like-minded mountain bikers is, then Weekend Warrior is for you. 

• The Weekend Warrior category is mixed gender and age, and starts enmass. 
• Weekend Warriors tend to take between 3-6hrs. The average for men is around 3hrs 30min and for women around 4hrs 15min. If you want to ride close to 3hrs or finish among the top-10 in your age group, then you are better to enter the Expert category instead.
• 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 or Gravel 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.

Single Speed:  Something for the minimalists !

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

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

Cyclo-Cross/Gravel Bikes:  A taste of Euro for followers of cycling's latest cult craze. Cyclo-cross/Gravel bikes must have drop bars, no suspension and max tyre width of 45mm.

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.

Fat Bikes:  Get out the big tyres for a cushie Karapoti. Must be a genuine fat bike with minimum 3.7" tyres.

E-Bikes

A recreational category 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 aftermarket electric modification, conversion kit, bike hacks, throttle control or hub-motor. This category is aimed solely at participation with no prizes, but you will be timed officially and recorded in results. Participants should avoid getting motors wet at river crossings, but you must start and finish with the river crossings just like every Karapoti participant.

• E-bikes participants for the 50k Classic must meet a strict qualification criteria, whereby they must:  1) have previously ridden either the 20k Challenge on an e-bike, or the 50k Classic on a normal bike. 2) have e-bikes meeting the bike specs above. Proof of this criteria must be filled out when entering.
• E-bikes in the 50k ad20k will start together at their own start time (info here).
• The e-bike category is recreational only. There will not be awards for winners, but results will be recorded as per every participant. 
• Riding an e-bike around the 50k Classic course will require experience with battery-saving tactics and significant bike-carry periods. The event will not be picking up e-bikes or riders who cannot finish the race because of battery failure or physical inability to carry e-bikes or ride an e-bike with battery failure. 

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 Rider:  The youngest rider within the feature 50k wins a prize on stage, so don't let age get in your way! 50k entries from riders aged less than 13 years are at the race directors discretion.

Oldest Rider:  The eldest rider within the feature 50k win a prize on stage, and here's a challenge - no man over 80 or woman over 70 has ever finished the 50k!