Elite

The feature category within the 50k Classic, with prize money totalling $4000. Limited to 50 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.

• Elite race for overall honours among both men and women, with top-10 awarded on-stage. Prize money is awarded for 1st to 3rd and product from 4th 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 category, except by race officials within the designated aid stations.
• Elite entrants must be aged 13 or older.

Age Groups

Your chance to race your friends, family, mates, and age group.

All entrants except Elite and the Special Categories should select “Age Group” when they enter. And also elect a Start Wave, as described below.

Age groups are allocated automatically via date of birth and age on race day.

Prizes will be awarded to the first three male and female in each age group. Age Group riders are also eligible for top-10 overall.

50k entries from riders aged less than 13 years are at the race directors discretion.

The 50k Age Groups will have age group divisions, as per the following:

• Under-19yrs Men & Women
• 19-29yrs Men & Women
• 30-39yrs Men & Women
• 40-49yrs Men & Women
• 50-59yrs Men & Women
• 60-69yrs Men & Women
• 70-79yrs Men & Women
• 80-plus yrs Men & Women

The 50k Age Groups must elect a start wave pertaining to their predicted finish time:

• Sub 3hrs
• 3hrs to 3hrs 30min
• 3hrs 45min-plus

The various start times are published on the Race Info page

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 and 20k will start together at their own start time (See Race Info page).
• 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.