The Manawatū MTB Club welcomes you to the Manawatū-Whanganui MTB Regional Schools Fest. This is one of 3 events occurring over the weekend of the 12th and 13th October 2024.
We’ve got XC, Enduro (END) and DH races across the weekend, with a great selection of trails. The cross-country Event is for primary school students aged 8 and above and all intermediate and secondary school students. The enduro and downhill events are for intermediate and secondary school students only.
 

Click here for the Event Manual.

 

 

We’d love to hear your thoughts on the event. Just click here to fill out the form.

 
 

Registration

Entries now at https://mwsmtb.lilregie.com. Individual entries will be accepted via the registration portal. Riders must be currently enrolled at and attending an intermediate or secondary school at the time of a particular event.

MMBC accepts applications from Home Schooled students to participate in this event if they meet the School Sports New Zealand eligibility regulations including providing evidence of a current MoE approval.
Entries are welcomed from individuals and schools outside of the Manawatū-Whanganui Region. However, schools from outside of the Manawatū-Whanganui region will not be eligible for the ‘Top School’ Trophy.
Online entries close 10th Oct 5pm. There will be limited capacity to accept registrations on the day.
 
Ages are as of 31st December 2024.
 
Standard Entry Fees
● Cross Country – Individual (XCO) – $35ea.
● Enduro (END) – $35ea.
● Down Hill (DHI) – $60ea.

The Courses

Cross Country

Practice:

Friday 11th Oct 24.

12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Merging with Enduro and DHI)

Lap Guideline: Proposed laps and waves are below.

Note: Trails and distances may change prior to the event. Any updates will be communicated via the event website, and social media platforms and the issuing of an updated event manual.

The XCO (U10, U13, U14) event will be run over Grade 2/3 trails. Starting with a gravel road climb before entering into the trail network. The course will incorporate parts of the trails: Swamp Monster, Ice Breaker and Riff Raff.

Pass through the start/finish line (located on Scotts Rd at the entrance to Swamp Monster) when completing a loop.

The XCO (U15, U16, U17, U20) event will be run over Grade 2/3/4 trails. Starting with a gravel road climb before entering into the trail network. The course will incorporate parts of the trails: Swamp Monster, Ice Breaker, Riff Raff, About Time (in reverse), Foo Fighter and Riff Raff.

Pass through the start/finish line (located on Scotts Rd at the entrance to Swamp Monster) when completing a loop.

Ages are as of 31st December 2024.

Lap Guideline: Proposed laps and waves are below.

Age Group Course Laps Total Distance Wave
U20 Boys Long 4 14 km A
U17 Boys Long 3 11.5 km A
U16 Boys Long 3 11.5 km A
U15 Boys Long 3 11.5 km A
U20 Girls Long 3 11.5 km B
U 17 Girls Long 2 7 km B
U16 Girls Long 2 7 km B
U15 Girls Long 2 7 km B

 

Age Group Course Laps Total Distance Wave
U14 Boys Short 5 12.5 km C
U13 Boys Short 4 10 km C
U10 Boys Short 4 10 km C
U14 Girls Short 4 10 km D
U13 Girls Short 3 7.5 km D
U10 Girls Short 3 7.5 km D

 

 

 

Enduro

Seeding: Riders will need to self-seed within their age/gender groups. Riders will be released from the start of each stage at 30sec intervals.

Description: Enduro will consist of the accumulated time to complete Enduro stages. Untimed transitions to the start of the next stage must be unassisted i.e. NO SHUTTLING.

Courses: Easy (4 stages), Hard (5 stages)

Ages are as of 31st December 2024.

Age Groups: U10, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17 and U20

Categories: Girls, Boys.

Course and Uphill Routes: The trails for the Enduro stages are described in the following map sections. To get to the start points, riders will be required to ride up the MTB trail network, the shuttle will be operating for other park users. As such, the shuttle road will not be closed for the event.

Note:

Trails and distances may change prior to the event. Any updates will be communicated via the event website, and social media platforms and issuing an updated event manual.

To avoid issues with timing, the course will remain closed until riders have completed their race.

 

Course FIRST SECOND THIRD FORTH FIFTH
Hard About Time/Rocky/Rambo

Karearea/Chewy

(to CPC)

 R&V Full MTG/H-J/KR Foo Fighter Full
Easy About Time

Karearea

(to CPC)

 Twister to Shuttle Pickup Foo Fighter Fill  

Down Hill

Ages are as of 31st December 2024.

The DH event will be run over Grade 3/4/5 trails. A starting date platform would be established at the top shuttle hub to drop into the start of Foo Fighter. The course will incorporate parts of the trails: Foo Fighter, Container link, Lower Foo Fighter, Mind-the-Gap, and Miss-Damina. Ending at the Shuttle Hub.

  1.  

Event Schedule

 
Note: All times are subject to change. Follow the Manawatū-Whanganui Schools MTB Competition Facebook event for updates.
 
 
Sun 6th Oct (5.00pm) Online entries close
 
 

Fri 11th Oct – Practice

12:00pm – 4:00pm – Unmarshalled Practice
 
 

Sat 12th Oct – XCO and Enduro – Arapuke Forest Park

9:00am – 9.30am Late registration and registration pack collection for XCO

9.45am Compulsory XCO Race Brief

10:00am XCO Race Start

11:00am – 12noon Late registration and registration pack collection for Enduro event

11.45am XCO Prizegiving

12:00noon Compulsory Enduro Briefing (All riders/All age groups).

12.15pm – Enduro race starts.

3:00pm Race ends

3:15pm Enduro prize-giving

 
Hard or Easy?  – Please select this when registering. 

Sun 13th Oct Downhill – Arapuke Forest Park

8:00am – 8:30am Late registration and registration pack collection for Downhill event (at shuttle pickup)
8:30am Compulsory event brief (at Shuttle Drop-off) – All age groups
9:00am Practice Starts (3hrs allowed for practice).
12:00pm Lunch/Reset
12:30pm Race briefing (at Shuttle Drop-off) – All age groups
1:00pm Seeding runs start (or earlier if possible)
2:30pm Race runs start (or earlier if possible)
3:30pm Prize-giving (or earlier if possible)
 
 
Notes

The 90min time allocation for both the ‘seeding run’ and ‘race run’ allows for 150 riders to be run at 30sec intervals and a 15min contingency for injuries, sweeping the course and reset between runs.

At the completion of runs, riders will be shuttled back to the shuttle hub at the top of the park.

Trails and distances may change prior to the event. Any updates will be communicated via the event website, and social media platforms and issuing an updated event manual.

 

Note: All times are subject to change. Follow the Manawatū-Whanganui Schools MTB Competition Facebook page for updates.

Equipment Requirements

For equipment requirements, please refer to the MTB Protection Policy in the MTBNZ Technical Regulations. Items of note include

XCO

  • MANDATORY: A helmet that satisfies current New Zealand or equivalent international standards is compulsory.
  • Highly Recommended: Sunglasses or protective eyewear.
  • Highly Recommended: Full Finger gloves.

ENDURO

  • MANDATORY: A helmet that satisfies current New Zealand or equivalent international standards is compulsory.

‘Enduro Style’ 2-piece helmets with removable Chin-bar are permitted.

  • Highly Recommended: A full-face helmet. A helmet with a chin-bar and meeting approved Safety Certification (see below) is permitted.

Approved Safety Certification standards are: ASTM-F1952 (ASTM for DH), UN/ECE Reg No. 22, AS 1698, NZ5430, British standard BS 6658 or Japanese standard T8133.

Note: Helmets must be worn at ALL TIMES WHILE RIDING IN THE PARK, including practice runs and when moving between Enduro stages. The chin bar may be removed when not racing.

  • Highly Recommended: Elbows/Forearm protection.
  • Highly Recommended: Knee/Shin protection:
  • Highly Recommended: Shoulder / Spinal / Neck protection
  • Highly Recommended: Full Finger gloves
  • Recommended: Protective eyewear.

DOWNHILL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS: Junior – (includes U10, U12, U14, U15, U16, U17)

  • MANDATORY: Full Face Helmet – Any 1 or 2-Piece helmet with approved Safety Certification (see below) is permitted.

‘Enduro Style’ 2 Piece helmets with removable Chin-bar are permitted if they meet the approved Safety Certification below. Note the Chin-bar must be attached any time the rider is on course.

Must achieve one of the following approved Safety Certification standards: ASTM-F1952 (ASTM for DH), UN/ECE Reg No. 22, AS 1698, NZ5430, British standard BS 6658 or Japanese standard T8133.

If you are unsure whether your particular helmet meets the required standard, please consult your helmet manufacturer’s information.

  • MANDATORY: Neck Brace – Leatt (leatt.com) or similar to work in conjunction with the Full Face Helmet.
  • MANDATORY: Elbows/Forearm Protection – Regardless of the length of the shirt with the following properties:
    • Self-fastening – does not require auxiliary fastening devices to secure to the body.
    • Can be standalone elbow protectors or as part of a protective suit e.g. full body, half body or vest.
    • Can be elbow only or combined elbow/forearm protection.
  • MANDATORY: Knee/Shin Protection – regardless of the length of shorts/pants with the following properties:
    • Self-fastening – does not require auxiliary fastening devices to secure to the body.
    • Can be standalone leg protectors or part of a protective suit e.g. full body, half body or vest.
    • Can be one-piece knee/shin protectors or separate knee and shin padding.
  • Highly recommended: Spinal Protection.
    • Self-fastening – does not require auxiliary fastening devices to secure to the body
    • Cover full length of back (spine) from between shoulder blades to tailbone
    • Can be fully, partially or non-articulated in design
    • Can be standalone back protectors or part of a protective suit e.g. full body, half body or vest
    • Motocross style “roost guards” are NOT PERMITTED unless with a specific back protector, not just a rear roost deflector
  • Highly recommended: Shoulder Protection.
    • Self-fastening – does not require auxiliary fastening devices to secure to the body.
    • Outer shells should be constructed of a solid material e.g. Hard Shell Plastic.
    • Can be standalone shoulder protectors or part of a protective suit e.g. full body, half body or vest.
  • Highly recommended: Hand Protection.
    • Full Finger Gloves

Downhill Protective Equipment Requirements: Seniors: U19 (includes U20 Boys in Schools grades)

The regulations for U20 vary slightly to the Junior grade. Please refer to the MTBNZ Technical Regulations for full details. It is recommended that you comply with the regulations for the Junior grades.

Getting to the event

ARAPUKE MTB PARK:
Arapuke MTB park is located approx 15km from Palmerston. Access to the park, Top Carpark and event hub is via Scotts Road. Additional parking is located at the end of Kahuterawa Road the north of the park.
Directions to Arapuke Forest Park from Palmerston North Square via Scotts road – Head away from the Square down Fitzherbert Ave, crossing Fitzherbert bridge. Keep right and head along Tennent Dr past Massey University. Keep on Tennant Dr for 11km past Linton Military Camp (on your right) and turn left onto Scotts Rd. Once on Scotts Rd, head Southeast for approx. 10km until you reach Arapuke Forest Parks Top Carpark.