REGISTRATIONS ARE OPEN!

2025 EVENT INFORMATION

In 2025 we are coming back bigger and better than ever. We’re heading back to the beautiful Wairakei Resort!

We already know how much you love the Craters Classic event and we know many you love to visit the beautiful Taupō region. In next years event, you stay in the resort and just walk out to the start line! We aim to provide a fun event with plenty of opportunities for everyone to participate because “we’re all about getting people on bikes!”

Craters Classic will showcase the best trails that the Taupō region has to offer. Expect to enjoy great racing, entertainment, music, food & beverage with plenty of events to choose from.

The 2025 dates for Kids Craters and Craters Classic are during the school holidays and ANZAC weekend. Kids Craters - Friday April 25th (afternoon) and Craters Classic, Saturday April 26th. 

Town will be humming!

CHECK OUT OUR EVENT CATEGORIES

  • The Bayleys Taupo ‘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!!

  • The Spark King Country Pumice Pacer

    Approx 30km

    The Pumice Pacer 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!

  • The 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!!

  • GM Painters Kids Craters

    Back in 2025 and open to all kids who are looking for some fun!

    In 2025 we have two course options, a short course (approx 7km) and a long course (approx 11km)

    This event is not timed but kids receive a finishers medal.

    This event starts and finishes at the Hub and takes place inside Craters Mountain Bike Park.

EVENT SCHEDULE

Friday 25th April 2024

Time Activity Location
12:00PM Registration and Late Entries Open Wairakei Resort Karapiti Room
2.00pm Kids Craters Event The Hub (Wairakei Drive)
6.00pm Registration and Late Entries Close Wairakei Resort Karapiti Room

Saturday 26th April 2024

Time Activity Location
7:30am Registration Open Wairakei Resort Karapiti Room
9:00am The BAYLEYS Classic eBike Start Start Area Wairakei Resort South Lawn
9:00am The Classic Start Start Area Wairakei Resort South Lawn
10:00am The Pumice Pacer Start Start Area Wairakei Resort South Lawn
10:30am The Aratiatia Adventure Start Start AreaWairakei Resort South Lawn

MORE INFORMATION

  • WHERE IS REGISTRATION: Registration will be held at Wairakei Resort.

    WHAT TIME IS REGISTRATION: Registration opens Friday 25th April 2025 at 12:00pm and closes at 5:30pm

    Registration for the Craters Classic, the main event, will be re-open on Saturday 26th 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 25th 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 , 9.30am for the Spark Wairakei Wizzer and 10:00am for the 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 in plenty of time (at least 200 minutes before your course start time to hear your safety briefing - see notes below…

    Kids Craters first start 2:00pm (Friday 25th)

    Craters Classic (Saturday 26th)

    A) E bikes start first at 9:00am

    B) Long Course start 9:10am

    C) Mid Course start 10:00am

    D) 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 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 however you will only be timed and eligible for a placing if you are entered in in The Classic E-Bike category.

    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 and experience. For The Classic event you will start up the front and go with the first waves. If you are still new to E-Bike events, it might be better to start towards the back unless designated e-bike categories or wave starts are present.

    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!"

    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.

     Enjoy the race!

  • For Kids Craters, all children will receive a finishers medal on completion of the race and there will be lots of cool spot prizes up for grabs.

    Prizegiving for the Craters Classic will be approx 2pm on Saturday 27th 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!

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

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

    There will be food trucks at the event, the Wairakei Resort will have their kitchen open as well as the licensed bar.