Key Event Information
Awards & Prizes
All finishers receive a Rotorua Canopy Tours Whaka50 finisher medal. Podium medals and non-monetary prizes are awarded to the top three male and female riders across each category. Prize giving times are listed in the event schedule.
Age Groups & Eligibility
The minimum age for for participation is 14. Results are based on net time and awarded across the following categories for men and women: 14-19 | 20-29 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 50-59 | 60-69 | 70+ | eBike. Age group is determined by your age as at 31 December of the event year.
eBikes
ebikes are permitted in this distance.
Awards & Prizes
All finishers receive a Rotorua Canopy Tours Whaka50 finisher medal. Podium medals and non-monetary prizes are awarded to the top three male and female riders across each category. Prize giving times are listed in the event schedule.
Age Groups & Eligibility
The minimum age for for participation is 14. Results are based on net time and awarded across the following categories for men and women: 14-19 | 20-29 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 50-59 | 60-69 | 70+ | eBike. Age group is determined by your age as at 31 December of the event year.
eBikes
ebikes are permitted in this distance.
Water Station
The Rotorua Canopy Tours Whaka50 includes one self-service water station at Te Pūtake o Tawa Carpark, located at 27km. This station is stocked with water and PURE Electrolytes, with medical and mechanical support available.
Supporters may drive to this location.
Personal Support Crew
Personal support is only permitted at the designated water station. Supporters may drive to this location. Riders receiving support outside this area, or being joined on course by non-participating riders, may be disqualified. Supporters are welcome to ride through the forest on trails outside the event course to cheer riders on.
The Rotorua Canopy Tours Whaka50 includes one self-service water station at Te Pūtake o Tawa Carpark, located at 27km. This station is stocked with water and PURE Electrolytes, with medical and mechanical support available.
Supporters may drive to this location.
Personal Support Crew
Personal support is only permitted at the designated water station. Supporters may drive to this location. Riders receiving support outside this area, or being joined on course by non-participating riders, may be disqualified. Supporters are welcome to ride through the forest on trails outside the event course to cheer riders on.
The Course
Maps are indicative only and may change due to circumstances beyond the control of the event organisers.
Maps are indicative only and may change due to circumstances beyond the control of the event organisers.
Course GPX
The GPX file is available to help riders review the course and understand the route before event day. You can download the file and upload it to your GPS device, bike computer, or route planning app for training and preparation.
The GPX is provided as a guide only. We do not recommend relying on it as your primary navigation tool on event day, as the course may change due to operational requirements, weather, trail conditions, or safety decisions.
Trail Grading
The course requires a moderate-level of technical skill with the majority of the stages being on grades 1-4, all features rollable. Navigation skills are not needed with our well-marked route.
Bike Patrol
Our bike patrol team operates across the course to support riders between key locations. They provide assistance with minor mechanicals, nutrition, and on-course guidance, particularly in more technical or demanding sections.
Start Waves
Participants are seeded into start waves based on estimated finish time. Please select your wave carefully to ensure a safe and fair experience.
Participants are seeded into start waves based on estimated finish time. Please select your wave carefully to ensure a safe and fair experience.
- Wave 0 | 7:30am | all eBikes
- Wave 1 | 8:40am | Estimated finish time of sub 3:00hrs, average speed 16+ kmph
- Wave 2 | 8:50am | Estimated finish time of 3:00 - 3:15hrs, average speed 15-16 kmph
- Wave 3 | 9:00am | Estimated finish time of 3:15 – 3:30hrs, average speed 14-15 kmph
- Wave 4 | 9:10am | Estimated finish time of 3:30 - 4:00hrs, average speed 12-14 kmph
- Wave 5 | 9:20am | Estimated finish time of 4:00hrs plus, average speed 9.1-12 kmph
Course Cut-Offs
Cut-offs are in place to ensure rider safety and effective event operations. Riders have a maximum of 5.4 hours to complete the course and must maintain an overall average pace of approximately 9km/h. Progression is assessed at key checkpoints, taking into account terrain and conditions. Riders who miss a cut-off will be withdrawn and transported back to the venue. Additional safety cut-offs may apply in adverse conditions.
Cut-offs are in place to ensure rider safety and effective event operations. Riders have a maximum of 5.4 hours to complete the course and must maintain an overall average pace of approximately 9km/h. Progression is assessed at key checkpoints, taking into account terrain and conditions. Riders who miss a cut-off will be withdrawn and transported back to the venue. Additional safety cut-offs may apply in adverse conditions.
