The Merida Whaka 100 is an event designed to specifically challenge those riders who want to completely test their body and mind. The challenge was laid down in Zippy's Cafe at the start of 2007 - 'Dean, you should really run a 100km race' - and the response was given with interest with the design of a course that is arguable New Zealand's toughest mountain bike marathon.
EVENTS RUN ON THE DAY
For the Merida Whaka 100 event we offer four different events:
Short Course Individuals: 25km
Medium Course Individuals: 50km
Whaka 100 Individuals: 100km
Whaka 100 Teams: 100km only
The 100km course is the ultimate challenge in mountain biking in New Zealand. Sure there might be longer races in distance but none have the amount of single track we offer. And that is the kicker - you love it when you ride it but it will hurt. The 100km course encompasses pretty much everything in the forest. Enough said really.
The teams event for the 100km course has two legs split into 60km for leg 1 and 40km for Leg 2. What leg is the hardest? The long first leg or the shorter second leg with a lot of climbing? You decide and see if you were right.
For those who take the challenge of the 50km courses you will see great views of lakes and landscapes. Well, those who can get them in focus will!
The 25km course is designed for recreational riders who want to get out and explore new trails.
If you haven't been on a big adventure for some time, we recommend you carry basic riding gear: warm clothes, food, plenty of water, tools, tubes, patches and pump. Maybe even a camera.
Challenge yourself through some the best single-track trails in the world.
THE PLACE
The Merida Whaka 100 event will start and finish at the mountain bike carpark off Waipa State Mill Road. It will be signposted off SH5 a few km's south of town. It is easy riding distance from town if you want a pre-race warm-up. Biking back after the event could be a problem though.
As well as registration on site, there will also be great food and coffee, plus a variety of trade stands showing off the latest and greatest mountain bike gear and with the last minute supplies for the journey ahead.
REGISTRATION
You can pre-enter online on the website right up until 12pm, Saturday 16 October, the day prior to each event. Once this closes will be accepting registrations between 2pm and 6pm the same day in store at Bikevegas.
For race day Race HQ is next to the car park off Waipa State Mill Road and you can register from 07:00hrs on Sunday 17 October - for you to register and collect your race pack.
If you can get in and register on Saturday it will definitely save you time on race day.
On the day entries will be taken for each event at registration - though there is a late fee of $15.
ENTRY FEES
25km and 50km: $45
100km: $95
Teams (100km only): $110 per team
Leave it late and enter on the day you will need to pay a $15 late entry fee.
RACE START TIMES - 2010
100km Individuals and Teams race briefing - 07:45hrs
100km Individuals and Teams race start - 08:00hrs
50km race briefing - 9:45hrs
50km race start - 10:00hrs
25km race briefing - 10:15hrs
25km race start - 10:30hrs
TOTAL DOOR SYSTEMS TIME PRIZES
To keep things interesting for those top riders we have two cash prizes for anyone that beats their category record times by the largest margin regardless of age group sponsored by Total Door Systems, a local Rotorua company. See the previous race results for times to beat.
In 2009 the times were not beaten so the cash jackpots for 2010. This year it is $1000 for both male and female - for beating the race records of your category by the largest margin.
We also have some other smaller cash prizes to give away during the 100km race - timed climbs anybody?
100KM FOOD FLUID DROP
As part of the 100km course (both individuals and teams) there will be a food and fluid drop on the course, at the end of Old Chevy. This is at the 63km mark. All you need to do is pack whatever you want to pick up at the point in a plastic bag and clearly label it with you race number and/or name. The bag is then dropped off at Race HQ on the morning of the race and we will transport it in for you.
PRIZE GIVING
We intend to run prize giving at the Waipa MTB carpark the afternoon of the event. This will probably happen about 3pm, as we want to get the bulk of the 100km riders in before we start.
If the weather is average then prize giving will be at the Pig and Whistle at 7pm that night. If this is going to happen we will make announcements through out the day.
