Based in Wellingtons rugged Akatarawa Ranges, 10k north of Upper Hutt City, the Merida Karapoti Classic is New Zealands premier mountain bike event. Combining a huge but achievable challenge with spectacular scenery and an awesome social scene, Karapoti is the event on every mountain bikers wish list. But dont take our word for it - enter now for New Zealands favourite mountain bike race. But be quick... Entries are limited to 1000 starters and last year we had almost 1800 wanting to ride.

In mountain bike circles the first weekend in March means one thing - the Merida Karapoti Classic! 

Every year mountain bikers from all ends of New Zealand and the world clamour for one of a thousand slots in what has become "New Zealands Must Do Mountain Bike Event". 

Established in 1986, the Merida Karapoti Classic is the longest running mountain bike event in the Southern Hemisphere. Created by Wellingtons Kennett Brothers, who between them have influenced mountain biking more than anyone else in New Zealand, Karapoti is less a race than it is the event that shaped New Zealands mountain bike culture. 

Based within the rugged splendour of Wellingtons Akatarawa Ranges, 10km north of Upper Hutt, the classic that is Karapoti revolves around an uncompromising, some say cruel, 50km of 4WD trails, gnarly single track, wheel sucking sludge, raging river crossings, wall to wall wilderness and huge hills that have you grinding a granny ring up but grinning like a goon on the way down. Key elements such as "The Rock Garden," "Devils Staircase," and "Big Ring Boulevard," are spoken in hushed tones of nervous anticipation and misty sometimes bloody memories. Its the toughest mountain bike race in the Southern Hemisphere, but also the most awe-inspiring. 

Karapoti, however, is more than merely a tough race. The post-race scene at Karapoti Park, with thousands of people lounging under the late-summer sun, is reason enough to enter in itself. And if the full 50km sounds a bit daunting theres a 20km option for off road rookies, spectators, supporters, school kids and active families that is every bit as stunning but less than half the distance and has only one hill. And theres also the new 5k Kids Klassic to test the tots and pre-teens. 

The prestige, culture and tradition surrounding the Merida Karapoti Classic attracts some of the worlds best riders. Past winners have included Kiwi Olympians Kathy Lynch and Kashi Leuchs, Commonwealth Games medalists Susy Pryde and Rosara Joseph, world junior champions Lisa Mathison (Australia-2003, 2004) and Nathalie Schneitter (Switzerland-2002), and former world number one Susan De Mattae (USA). 

First and foremost, however, Karapoti is a peoples race catering for all ages, abilities, genders and walks of life. Along with the unique experience there are five years age grades and special categories for corporate teams, family teams, tandems, the best-dressed rider, the rider with the worst luck on race day and even uni-cycles. Catering for everyone from elite to also ran, the Karapoti culture celebrates the slowest riders every bit as much as the few who manage to break the magical three-hour mark. 

American cycling magazine VeloNews ranks Karapoti amongst the top-25 mountain bike races in the world, and participants apparently agree because for more than a decade weve been forced to limit the event to 1000 entrants. Little wonder then that the Merida Karapoti Classic is known as, "New Zealands Must Do Mountain Bike Event".