2026 EVENT INFORMATION

WHERE IS REGISTRATION:

Kids Craters Registration will be held at The Hub on Wairakei Drive.

Craters Classic Registration will be held at event HQ - Wairakei Resort Taupo.

WHAT TIME IS REGISTRATION: Kids Craters Registration opens Friday 17th April 2026 at 12:00pm.

Craters Classic Registration opens at 3:30pm on Friday 18th April and closes and closes at 5:30pm

Registration for the Craters Classic, the main event, will be re-open on Saturday 16th April at 7.30am until 10.00am.

Please allow yourself time to register if you are registering on race day!

REGISTRATION CUT OFF TIMES: On Friday 17th for the Kids Craters event, registration closes at 1:30pm

On Saturday on the day entries will be taken up to 8:00am for the BAYLEYS Classic course, 9.00am for the Spark Pumice Pacer and 9:30am for the Aratiatia Adventure course.

LATE CHANGES. If you change to a longer length course, you will also need to pay the difference between course fees.

You will need to be at the start line in plenty of time (at least 20 minutes before your course start time to hear your safety briefing - see notes below…

Kids Craters: First waves start at 2:00pm - Long Course

2:30pm - Short Course

Craters Classic (Saturday 17th)

A) E bikes start first at 9:00am

B) Long Course start 9:00am

C) Mid Course start 10:00am

D) Short Course start 10:30am

Craters Classic is a self-seeded race.

Everyone is responsible for positioning themselves based on their ability and pace, not just their bike type.

If you’re confident and quick on your e-bike, you’re more than welcome to start up front and get clear of the pack early.

If you're more relaxed or unsure about handling tight sections, starting further back avoids pressure from behind.

Please self seed, guidelines as below:-

SPEED DEMONS (extra fast) - for riders expecting to finish at the pointy end or going for the podium Please make your way to the front of the line.

Fast but recreational riders who are fit and prepared for the event should be close to the front pack.

Moderate - for more casual riders who are up for the challenge.

Slow and steady? If you came to enjoy the scenery and make it a social ride, stay back and let the speedsters go.

On an E-Bike? It very important that you position yourself based on your ability and pace, not just the battery power of the bike. If you have the technical ability on the downhill as well as the power on the uphill, make a beeline to the front of the pack.

The start and finish for Kids Craters is located at The Hub, off Wairakei Drive.

The start will be in waves, this event is NOT timed.

The start/finish gantry for Craters Classic is based at The Wairakei Resort Wairakei Drive, 10 minutes North of Taupō.

The start will be in waves, remember your time doesn’t start until you go through the Gantry!!

We welcome ALL riders to the Craters Classic and this includes anyone wishing to use their E-Bike.

Important information:

• You are welcome to ride an E-Bike in all categories.

Please ensure you tick ‘yes’ when asked if you are riding an E-Bike.

Start Position:

• If you are using an E-Bike, line up according to your anticipated speed (up hill and down) and experience.

• If you are still new to E-Bike events, it might be better to start towards the back.

Passing:

• Because e-bikes often accelerate faster uphill, avoid "blasting past" other riders. Communicate clearly when overtaking, using phrases like "On your left" or "Rider coming up!"

• Be sure you aren’t overtaking on the uphill and then creating a back up on the downhill.

Battery Management:

• Be aware of your battery levels, these are solely your responsibility. Getting stuck without power mid-race could affect other riders if you become an obstacle on climbs.

At the Craters Classic, e-bikes are welcome across all course distances. You’ll ride the same great tracks, soak up the same atmosphere, and cross the same finish line, all while supporting Taupō’s trail network and the work that keeps it going.

 But before you line up on race day, there’s one key thing to understand about how the Classic rolls:

Self-Seeding Starts

We use a self-seeding start format, meaning every rider positions themselves based on their own pace and ability. The goal is simple, to keep the flow smooth, keep everyone safe, and make sure you start alongside riders who move at a similar speed and skill level.

Here’s how to decide where you belong on the start line:

Front rows: For experienced, technically capable riders who can maintain speed safely through singletrack, roots, and corners on the UPHILL and the DOWNHILL (most importantly)

Middle rows: For steady, social riders who are confident but not chasing podiums.

Back rows: For those new to events, new to the trails, or still building technical control.

There will be volunteers at the start line helping to identify start waves and check you're in the right place,

And this is important, having motor power doesn’t mean you should start up front.

If you’re on an e-bike, make sure you’ve got the technical skill to match that extra torque. The Craters Classic trails are real XC riding. They can be narrow, twisty, and fast-flowing in places. Respecting rider flow and seeding yourself honestly makes the event safer and more enjoyable for everyone.

You must make space for other riders to pass you (or get off) where possible.

Enjoy the race!

At Kids Craters, all children will receive a finishers medal on completion of the race.

Prizegiving for the Craters Classic will start approx 2pm on Saturday 26th April on the South lawn if the weather is kind, inside the resort if required.

It’s always nice to celebrate your biking success and efforts with like-minded riders, so you will be able to grab some food from our food trucks and share your stories!

We will celebrate our placegetters with Medals and our 1st place winners will receive TINELI TRAIL JERSEYS!

King and Queen of the mountain will receive a TRAIL Jersey.

If you don’t make the podium, not to worry, we will have lots of cool spot prizes up for grabs!

****You are welcome to ride an eBike in all categories however you will not be eligible for a placing unless you are entered in The Classic eBike category****

There will be plenty of parking available at Kids Craters with access from Wairakei Drive, Karetoto Drive and Huka Falls Rd.

The main parking for Craters Classic will be located behind the BP station, directly across from the Wairakei Resort.

PLEASE USE THE TUNNEL ACCESS TO ENTER THE EVENT TO AVOID CROSSING THE ROAD - THIS WILL BE WELL SIGN POSTED AND MARSHALLED.

At Kids Craters we will have a sausage sizzle going and Mr Whippy will be there with Coffee and Ice-cream.

At Craters Classic, we aim to provide a wide range of Food & Beverage options for all ages.

This year, our Hospitality Partner, Wairakei Resort will be serving up some delicious food and beverages at the Craters Classic on Saturday 18th April 2026

‍Breakfast Menu:

Open from 7:30am - 10:30am

Bacon, cheese & Egg Sandwich:  $12.60

Vegan chickpea scramble with baby spinach, roasted tomato and avocado: $14.70

Fruit Salad: $12.60

Coconut chia pudding with berries coulis: $10

Muffins: $8

Lunch Menu:

Served from 10.30am to 2.30pm

Pulled Pork & Slaw Buns: $19

Cheeseburger: $17

Falafel burger (vegan): $19

Hot Chips: $9.50

Sausage Sizzle: $7.40

Fruit Salad: $12.60

Coconut chia pudding with berries coulis: $12.60

Coffee is available all day.

The bar will be open from 11.30am till finish of event. (Pool Bar)

Ice creams to be served from 7.30am onwards.