EVENT INFORMATION

In 2024 we are coming back bigger and better than ever and partnering with the Love Taupō Trail Festival team.

We already know how much you love the Craters Classic event and we know many you love to visit the beautiful Taupō region. By being part of this newly created festival-style event, there are even more opportunities for more people to participate in different events and you don’t even have ride a bike!

The festival will showcase the best trails and off-road locations that the Taupō region has to offer. Except to enjoy all that a festival style event would offer including entertainment, music, food & beverage and plenty of activities to choose from. The 2024 dates for the festival are Friday 26th – Sunday 28st April and town will be humming!

CHECK OUT OUR EVENT CATEGORIES

  • The Bayleys ‘Classic’

    Approx 50km

    Prepare for an honest ride, it’s tough! This years course has some great new tracks, please note the distance and the course, its not for the faint hearted!!

    Find out more

  • The Spark King Country Wairakei Wizzer

    Approx 30km

    The Wairakei Wizzer takes in the best of what Craters Mountain Bike Park has to offer. It’s not to short and not too long - really its the perfect ride!

    Find out more

  • The Get Set Aratiatia Adventure

    Approx 22km

    This course traverses around the Aratiaita Dam from the resort and includes mainly grade 2 tracks (some grade 3 at the end). We have added a bit more single track at the end, so save some gas in those legs!!

    Find out more

  • Kids Craters


    Distance Approx. 8km

    New for 2024! Open to all kids who are looking for some fun!

    Find out more

EVENT SCHEDULE

Friday 26th April 2024

Time Activity Location
11:00am Registration and Late Entries Open Event Hub
2.00pm Kids Craters Event Event Hub
7.00pm Registration and Late Entries Close Event Hub

Saturday 27th April 2024

Time Activity Location
7:30am Registration Open Event Hub
8:50am BAYLEYS Classic eBike Start Start Area
9:00am BAYLEYS Classic Start Start Area
10:00am SPARK King Country Wairakei Wizzer Start Start Area
10:30am Get Set Event Aratiatia Adventure Start Start Area

MORE INFORMATION

  • WHERE IS REGISTRATION: Registration will be held at The Hub in the main marquee at the carpark.

    WHAT TIME IS REGISTRATION: Registration for Kids Craters will be held on Friday 26th at 12:00pm

    Registration for Craters Classic, the main event, will be held from 4.00pm to 7.30 pm on Friday 26th April and from Saturday 27th April at 7.30am until 9.00am.

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

    REGISTRATION CUT OFF TIMES: On Friday 26th for the Kids Craters event, registration closes at 1:30pm

    On Saturday entries will be taken up to 7.30am for the BAYLEYS Classic course , 8.30am for the MB Century In the Middle Wairakei Wizzer and 9:30 for the Get Set Short & Sweet Aratiatia Adventure course.

    LATE CHANGE FEES: Any requested changes to your registration will incur a $10 admin fee. 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 at least 20 minutes before your course start time - see notes below…

    A) Kids Craters first start 2:00pm (Friday)

    B) E bikes start first at 8:50am

    C) Long Course start 9:00am

    D) Mid Course start 10:00am

    E) Short Course start 10:30am

    Wave starts in all categories. Please self seed, guidelines as below:-

    SPEED DEMONS (extra fast) - for riders expecting to finish at the pointy end or going for the podium

    BIG RING RIDERS (fast) - for solid recreational riders who are fit and prepared for the event.

    MIDDLE RING RIDERS (moderate) - for more casual riders who are up for the challenge.

    GRANNY RING RIDERS (slow and steady) - for those who enjoy the scenery and generally take their time!

  • The start/finish gantry is based at The Hub Carpark on Wairakei Drive, 10 minutes North of Taupō

    Riders will start up the road further (towards Taupō) to the rest area. You will be required to ride up to this location (approx 1km) at least 20 minutes prior to your start time.

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

  • Prizegiving will be approx 2pm

    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!

    Placegetter Medals AND TINELI RACE JERSEYS for 1st 2nd and 3rd placing in all categories.

    King and Queen of the mountain will receive a race 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 with access from Wairakei Drive, Karetoto Drive and Huka Falls Rd

  • At Craters Classic, we aim to provide a wide range of Food & Beverage options for all ages. We will have a good variety of Food, Coffee and Icecream trucks available, we are very lucky to be situation directly across the road from Kefi Cafe who will be serving up some great specials for Craters Classic