Whaka100 celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, but Belinda Farmer's chapter in its story began at the end of 2013, when she and husband Tim took over the event.

As co-owner of Nduro Events, Belinda has since helped guide Whaka100 from a growing local mountain bike race into New Zealand's Premier MTB Marathon and an annual Labour Weekend tradition that attracts more than 3,000 riders.

One of the first goals she remembers writing down seemed almost impossible at the time, 1,000 riders.

Most people know Emma Cooper as a competitor and a Rotorua local.

She's the one standing on the start line, chasing her own finish line and appreciating every cheer from the sidelines. Last year, though, she saw Whaka100 from a completely different perspective. Instead of pinning on a race number, she put on a Holland Beckett​ volunteer vest. "This was actually my first time volunteering," Emma says.

When Helene Nicholson first took over as Event Manager for Whaka100 four years ago, she wasn't a mountain biker.
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She'd organised events before, but stepping into one of New Zealand's largest mountain bike events was something completely different.

When you've spent years photographing mountain bike events around the world, it takes something special to stand out.

For photographer Clint Trahan, that something is Rotorua.

"I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Whakarewarewa Forest first," says Trahan. "The trees, the fern, the greenery, the energy. It is a magical place to be."
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Trahan has photographed mountain bike events across the globe, but Rotorua remains the benchmark he compares everything else to.

Introducing the Highlander MTB Challenge.
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If you’re preparing for the Whaka100, there is no better way to test your legs, sharpen your race fitness, and ride some of Rotorua’s best trails than the Highlander MTB Challenge by Whaka100. Taking place on 31 May in Rotorua, Highlander delivers an unforgettable day on the bike through some of the most iconic terrain in New Zealand mountain biking.

Every year we receive questions about course cut-offs for the 100km. We understand why. No one wants to feel like they were stopped unfairly, especially after months of preparation.  So here’s how we approach it.

There are thrilling rides and then there’s the Giant Miler, one of the most demanding single‑day mountain bike challenges on the planet.

​Part of New Zealand’s celebrated Whaka100 MTB festival weekend, the Giant Miler pushes riders beyond what most endurance cyclists ever imagine attempting. Already in its short history, the Miler has earned a reputation not just for distance, but for the relentless test it lays on both body and mind.

​​There are two new names as winners of the UCI Marathon MTB National Championship, staged as part of the annual Whaka 100 event in Rotorua.

Rising 20-year-old Taupo cross-country rider, Coen Nicol from Taupo has prevailed in the elite men’s category, while accomplished Christchurch rider, Mary Gray has etched her name on the women’s trophy.

Expect new names on the trophies when the UCI Marathon MTB National Championships are decided in Rotorua this weekend.

When four-year-old Harvey Lette lines up for the Whaka 100 Mountain Bike Marathon this weekend, he'll have something in common with 77-year-old Trevor Swindells: neither of them had gears on their first bike.

For Harvey, it's called a balance bike. For Trevor, it's called the 1960s.

The 73-year gap between the event's youngest and oldest riders is what the Whaka 100 is all about - everyone's welcome, everyone has a go, and nobody cares if you're still working on your motor skills or your knees aren't quite what they used to be.

When Paul Gunn's friends and family line up for the 50km mountain bike race at this weekend’s Whaka 100, they’ll be carrying his memory with them - proudly wearing shirts with his face and the words “Ride with Gunnie.”

It's a fitting tribute to a man who spent his life encouraging others on the trails, sharing his expertise freely, and tearing through Rotorua’s forests at great speeds.

The Whaka100 team, in partnership with the Gunn family, is proud to announce the finalists for the inaugural Paul Gunn Scholarship, a legacy honouring one of the Whaka100 community’s most passionate and generous supporters.

There’s a reason the Whaka 100 weekend feels more like a festival than just a race and this year, it’s going next level. With the biggest expo in Whaka history landing alongside the largest rider field in our 18 year journey, the atmosphere at village is set to be absolutely electric.

​Two of New Zealand’s classic mountain bike participation events will double as Cycling New Zealand’s UCI Marathon MTB National Championships for the next four years.

We’re thrilled to welcome Rotorua Canopy Tours where you zipline into an ancient forest as an official partner of the 2025 Whaka 100, bringing with them a shared love for adventure, New Zealand forests, and world-class experiences. 

We’re thrilled to announce that Giant New Zealand is the official bike of the Whaka 100, bringing together the world’s leading mountain bike brand and the Southern Hemisphere’s toughest one-day MTB challenge. As part of this exciting partnership, the iconic Whaka Miler will now be known as the Giant Miler.

​So, you're thinking of entering the Whaka 100? Awesome! Whether you're a seasoned rider or new to endurance mountain biking, this guide will help you figure out how to choose the right event, prepare, and make the most of your Whaka 100 experience.

​Let’s dive into some key things you should know:

Heavy rain overnight was no impediment for champions Craig Oliver and Olympian Sammie Maxwell who successfully defending their national titles at the 2024 Whaka 100 MTB Marathon in Rotorua today.

After four hours of arguably the toughest annual mountain bike test in New Zealand, Oliver (MitoQ-NZ Cycle Project, Christchurch) out-sprinted younger brother Ben for the honours over the 100km test in the famed Whakarewarewa Forest.

​Experienced mountain bike professional Rae Morrison and promising schoolboy Josh Cavanagh took out the respective elite honours in the MTB Eliminator National Championships, staged as part of the Whaka 100 event in Rotorua.

National jerseys were up for grabs for the third time, with Cycling New Zealand partnering with the most popular MTB event in the country, which has attracted more than 3000 competitors over the weekend.

Hey Whaka 100 riders!

As race day approaches, fueling your body right is just as important as training hard. To help you optimize your nutrition, we've teamed up with CLIF Bar to give you the inside scoop on what to eat before, during, and after your rides. Whether you're gearing up for those intense climbs or planning how to stay energized throughout the race, this guide is packed with practical tips to keep you performing at your best. It's a must-read for learning where to start or what to tweak for your training and event day fuel.

Read on for knowledge!

​Lining up at the start of the Whaka 100, there’s an air of nervousness as the morning mist lifts to reveal a clear, crisp morning and a sea of hardy souls gathered at the start line of a big day on the bike. Some will know what they’re in for, others will not have a clue. I know what I’m in for, but not exactly ready for it.

Sitting atop a bike in the middle of this crowd and scanning the scene, it’s obvious there’s quite the cross-section of society on the starting grid. I’m seeing every embodiment of nervousness, from nail-biting to full-belly laughs and a load of people generally fidgeting with nervous excitement.

Just who are these people, I wonder? My mind drifts, and I make my own assumptions:
See Part 1 here!

Lining up at the start of the Whaka 100, there’s an air of nervousness as the morning mist lifts to reveal a clear, crisp morning and a sea of hardy souls gathered at the start line of a big day on the bike. Some will know what they’re in for, others will not have a clue. I know what I’m in for, but not exactly ready for it.

Sitting atop a bike in the middle of this crowd and scanning the scene, it’s obvious there’s quite the cross-section of society on the starting grid. I’m seeing every embodiment of nervousness, from nail-biting to full-belly laughs and a load of people generally fidgeting with nervous excitement. Just who are these people, I wonder?

​My mind drifts, and I make my own assumptions: Denise the Doctor, Darryn the Dentist., Eddy the ebiker....

Our incredible volunteer sponsor, Holland Beckett, is big on community which we know our riders are too. How and where we can make an impact on our communities can seem complex and expensive. That's why Holland Beckett are helping solve two problems at once - sorting Wills and making an difference to our charities of choice.