EVENT INFO

The New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty Whaka 50km event is every bit of goodness that we can squeeze out of the Whaka 100km distance but without the crazy hill climbs - well, there maybe be a hill or two. Come and ride New Zealand’s best single track right here in Rotorua.​

​This distance is always a sell out, so don't delay, get an entry today.

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50km event information
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EVENT DETAILS | THE COURSE | SAFETY CHECKPOINTS | WATER STATIONS

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EVENT DETAILS

Event date
Saturday 22 October 2022
Start time
From 8.30am (check timings here)
Location
Waipa MTB car park (Google Maps)
Medals
All finishers will receive a finisher medal.
Results
Timing and results are based on mat-to-mat time. 
Award categories 
Top three overall male and female of each group category:

• 14-18 | 19-29 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 50-59 | 60+ | SS | eBike

Prizes
Medals & non-monetary prizes will be awarded to the overall top three male and female age group athletes.
​Prize Money
Prize money is awarded to overall top male and female athletes:

• 1st $125ea (excluding Ebike)​

Ebikes
Ebikes are permitted in this distance. more on ebike categories.

Rider start list

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​THE COURSE

• Distance: 51km
• Total Climbing: 1258m
• Trail Grade: 1-4

Course subject to change. The Whakarewarewa is a production forest, so there may be changes to the course at any time. GPS data may have a variation of up to 5%.​

TRAIL GRADING
​The course does not require a high-level of technical skill with the majority of the stages being on grades 1- 3 and a touch of easier grade 4 trails - all rollable with clear B-lines around any features. Navigation skills are not needed with our well-marked route. 

Course Map 2022

START WAVES
To ensure a safe and fair event for all age group and pairs riders we have different starting groups. Be realistic and carefully choose your start waves. To calculate your finish time, please use the average speed calculator. Start waves cannot be changed and will be displayed on your event number plate.

• Start Wave 0 | 8:30am | all eBikes only
• Start Wave 1 | 8:40am | Estimated finish time of sub 3:00hrs, average speed 16+ kmph
• Start Wave 2 | 8:50am | Estimated finish time of 3:00 - 3:15hrs, average speed 15-16 kmph
• Start Wave 3 | 9:00am | Estimated finish time of  3:15 – 3:30hrs, average speed 14-15 kmph
• Start Wave 4 | 9:10am | Estimated finish time of  3:30 - 4:00hrs, average speed 12-14 kmph
• Start Wave 5 | 9:20am | Estimated finish time of 4:00hrs plus, average speed 8-12 kmph

SEEDING FOR START WAVES
If a rider wants to race at the front of the race in wave 1, they will need to take part in Friday nights Eliminator event with the fastest qualifying times gaining seeding positions for Saturdays Race as follows:
50KM Seeding allocations 
Row 1, top 6 men Eliminator qualifiers 
Row 2, next 6 men Eliminator qualifiers 
Row 3, next 6 men Eliminator qualifiers 
Row 2, top 6 Women Eliminator qualifiers 

SAFETY CHECKPOINTS 
The course checkpoints listed below are in the interest of participant safety. The times are based on a participant averaging 9.6kmph. If you fall behind the timing checkpoints you will be removed from the event and classed as a non-finisher.

• CP 1 - 12:31pm | 29.7km | Te Pūtake o Tawa 
• CP 2 - 2:32pm | 49km | Red Tank/Larch Road
• CP 3 - 3:00pm | Finish Line

Please note, this is an example based on the 2021 course, this section will be updated 1 August

CAMELBAK WATER STATIONS
There will be a self-service CamelBak water station out on course. The water station fills a standard CamelBak water bottle in 55 seconds. The water locations are:

• 27km | Exit part 1 Te Pou-Koropu trail
• 43km | Exit Old Chevy trail

If you're unsure how much water you should be drinking check out the CamelBak hydration calculator for more information. Note that individual rider GPS device may show different distances to what is listed above.

​Please note, this is an example based on the 2021 course, this section will be updated 1 August​

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