Ride with Gunnie: Honouring an inspiring mentor by giving youth a leg-up at the Whaka 100 Mountain Bike Marathon

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.

Paul, a passionate mountain biker, snowboarder, surfer and skateboarder, brought a new meaning to the term “adrenaline junkie”.
“He just shot down mountains at great speeds. He was such an enthusiastic mountain biker, he was just fearless,” said his mother, Cherrill.

It wasn’t just Paul’s love for speed that people remember; it was his infectious energy, quick wit and ability to make people smile.
“He was 53 going on 23,” Cherrill laughed. “He was just the light of our lives.”

This Labour Weekend, Paul’s legacy will be celebrated through the Paul Gunn Scholarship at the Whaka 100 Mountain Bike Marathon, in Rotorua’s Whakarewarewa Forest, one of his favourite places to ride.

Now in its 19th year, the Whaka 100 has earned its reputation as the Southern Hemisphere’s most challenging and rewarding mountain biking event, with more than 3,500 riders – the largest event to date.

Many of Paul’s friends and family will take to the trail in memory of the 53-year-old who took his life on 27 July 2024, in acknowledgement of the importance of mental health.

The Paul Gunn Scholarship, inspired by his father, Graeme, embodies everything Paul stood for: a passion for the sport, a generosity with his knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to helping the next generation succeed. It also honours Paul’s guts and determination.

Established by the Whaka 100 team in partnership with Paul’s family, for the next five years the scholarship will support a male and female rider under the age of 23 each year, who show promise, dedication, and a genuine love for mountain biking.

Each recipient will receive a $4,500 package, including $2000 cash and entries across the Nduro mountain bike event portfolio to support their development and strengthen their riding journey.

Winners will be announced on race day after crossing the finish line and will be presented with a trophy by Paul’s 22-year-old son, Sam.
"Paul was always very interested in up-and-coming young athletes. He loved to share his expertise, and if anybody asked, he was so willing to help, especially younger people, " said Cherrill.

“His dedication to helping young people extended beyond mountain biking, he spent a lot of time with young snowboarders and skiers, and he never charged anyone for his time,” Paul’s wife, Justine, added.

Tim Farmer, co-founder of Nduro and a close friend of Paul's, rode with him regularly and saw his commitment to the sport firsthand.
"Paul was incredibly passionate about the sport. He facilitated world records, worked with emerging talent, and gave so much of himself to mountain biking,” Farmer said.

A former New Zealand triathlete, Paul was one of the first athletes in the world to wear a heart rate monitor during an Ironman. He also helped facilitate the world record e-bike mountain bike jump.

Paul's influence on the Whaka 100 extended far beyond his role as PR consultant. He updated the event’s brand logo, initiated creative activation ideas, and helped shape the way Nduro operates.

"His legacy and his DNA run through everything. The logo, the way things are worded, the way we talk about the event, the colours we have, and even the way we approach sponsorship. Paul put so much into this event, and we’ve carried that forward," Farmer said.

Those who rode with Paul remember his constant encouragement and cheeky smile.

When Cherrill decided to tackle a 100km ride challenge, Paul volunteered to be her support person.

"Going up the hills, he would come up behind me and put his hand on my back and just help me up the hill," Cherrill recalled.
"He'd say, 'Come on, you can do this.' He was so encouraging, not just to me but to all the other people. He'd go back around and push the next person. He just really enjoyed seeing people succeed."

The Paul Gunn scholarship attracted 21 applicants, a testament to the impact Paul had on young riders.
The scholarship finalists are Kayley McMillian, Amelie McKay, Dulcie Copeland, Fletcher Adams, Levi Gear, and James Climo. Winners will be announced at 3.30pm on Saturday, 25 October.

For his family, it's a way to continue the work he valued most.

"We just want to give young riders a leg-up to pursue their dreams," Cherrill said. "That's what Paul would have wanted."