- This event has passed.
Arapuke Classic
Arapuke Classic
March 15 @ 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
The Arapuke Classic, held at Arapuke Forest MTB Park, is MMBC’s longest running cross-country (XC) MTB race. The race in 2026 marks the 37th time the club has hosted the event!!!
Whatever your ability, there’s a race for you. Choose the CBS 10km, the BYD 18km or the KIA 36km and enjoy a challenging and scenic ride in the foothills of the stunning Tararua Range – right on the doorstep of Palmerston North. The courses are predominantly purpose-built singletrack with some epic downhill trails to make the most of the elevation gain.
For those who need a little help getting up the hills or want to save their energy for the downhills, this is a great event and course for e-bikes. There is an e-bike class in each of the courses.
The event isn’t over when you get off your bike! Stick around for prize giving, spot prizes AND the best post-race food for any event in New Zealand! For free!
Retro bikes!
Help us put the classic back into the Classic! Each race at the Arapuke Classic now has a retro division for men and one for women. There will be special prezzies for retro riders and a people’s choice awarded for the coolest bike. Even if you’re on a modern bike, dress retro and be in to win for best outfit.
The rules are simple:
Register now!
Timing
8:30am – Registration Opens
Rules & Course Details
Rules
- The Arapuke Classic will be run under the general rules of the UCI and MTBNZ.
- All riders must wear a helmet that is correctly fitted.
- All repairs must be made by the rider.
- Bike changes are not permitted.
- No headphones to be worn while racing.
- The MTB Park will be open to the public during the race. Please be mindful of other users.
Passing Etiquette
- Please use common sense and courtesy when passing and being passed.
- All riders share the same track; there will be a wide range of speed and skills.
- The rider in front has the right of way but must not unnecessarily impede a faster rider.
- A passing rider should call clearly when a passing opportunity arises and it is safe to pass.
- When being lapped please move aside for faster riders as soon as possible.
CBS 10km – one lap
The 10km course includes Grade 2 and 3 trails with a solid elevation gain. Course may change at the discretion of the Event Director. Make sure you listen at the race briefing.
Check out the courses on trailforks
BYD 18km (one lap) and KIA 36km (two laps!)
The 18km and 36km courses include Grade 2, 3 and 4 trails with plenty of elevation gain to keep you honest. Eighteen kilometre riders will do one lap; 36km riders will do two. Course may change at the discretion of the Event Director. Make sure you listen at the briefing!
Laps One and Two
Register now!
Register by 5pm on 1 March and get your personalised race plate. On-line entries close at 5pm on Friday 13 March.
Entry Fees
Club Members – any NZMTB registered club
Non-Club Members
On the Day
Grades
Age groups are based on competitor’s age on 31 Dec 2026
Riders younger than Under 19 may enter the 36 km Course by entering U19 grade.
KIA 36km
BYD 18km
CBS 10km
A bit of history
In 1988, Andrew Ninness organised the first MTB race in the Arapuke Forest Park (known variously at the time as Kahuterawa/K-Loop or Woodpecker Forest).
The following year, the Kahuterawa Mountain Bike Race was the first round of New Zealand’s first-ever National Championship Series and the first MTB for the Arapuke Classic race director Tom Bamford (for the record, he still has the t-shirt to prove it). In those days, the race started at Brown’s house, and competitors rode up BackTrack and then beyond for various loops on farmland along Scotts Road.
When forest logging limited access to the lower forest, the start/finish moved to the Scotts Road carpark in 2015 and 2016 before moving back to the Kahuterawa car park in 2017. As the trail network expanded rapidly from 2014, the course changed each year to use as many trails as possible.
Colin Knight took over organising the Kahuterawa Challenge with Crank It Cycles coming on board as the event sponsor in the mid-2000s. Brent Boddy Prestige started a long association with the race in 2014, first joining as a co-sponsor and then taking over the title sponsorship first through their brand Jeep for 2016 and, in 2017, with Brent Boddy Prestige and Crank It Cycles as co-sponsors. Brent Boddy Prestige took over the title sponsorship in 2018.
When forest logging limited access to the lower forest, the start/finish moved to the Scotts Road carpark in 2015 and 2016 before moving back to the Kahuterawa car park in 2017. As the trail network expanded rapidly in 2014, the course changed each year to use as many trails as possible.
In 2019, the event name was again changed to the Arapuke Classic to reflect the park’s ownership by PNCC. The event continues to be run under this name.
The Arapuke Classic took a break in 2025 and came back strong in 2026.
Thank you to our sponsors
