Motatapu Off-Road Event

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Motatapu Off-Road Event

The Motatapu Event is NZ’s premier off-road sporting event, featuring mountain biking and trail running. Join us for an unforgettable adventure through the stunning Motatapu Valley!

Join us for an unforgettable adventure through the stunning Motatapu Valley!
We will be back on 7th March 2026.
The Motatapu is a bucket list event with the following awesome events offering challenging yet achievable courses:

47km Mondraker Mountain Bike (e-bike option available)
42km Allpress Espresso Trail Marathon
15km UDC Finance Miners Trail
52km Rab Ultra Run
4km Jennian Homes Junior Trail Run

Held on one epic day, it is your one chance a year to experience the breathtaking high country terrain and traverse the Motatapu, Soho and Glencoe Stations between Wanaka and Queenstown. It’s a bucket-list off-road event with challenging yet achievable courses, which attracts close to 4000 participants a year. The Motatapu is a hugely enjoyable and social event, famous for its relaxed southern vibe and huge camaraderie.

We will keep you up to date with our athlete newsletters and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for great competitions, giveaways and tips on making your day epic out there!

Entries open on 1 July 2025
www.motatapu.com

24/08/2026

We’ve got a new member of the Motatapu crew… 👀

Welcome Almighty as an Official Sponsor!

They’re all about getting outdoors, staying active and making good choices when it comes to what you drink - with naturally flavoured drinks, no added sugar and no preservatives.

Sounds pretty good to us.

To celebrate, we’re giving away 4 x 24-can packs of Almighty – one pack each for 4 lucky winners! 🎉

Want to be in the draw?
👇 Like this post on Facebook or Instagram and comment with your favourite Almighty flavour.
Competition closes Friday 28 August at 5pm NZST.
NZ residents only. Prizes will be posted within New Zealand. Winners will be contacted via DM from the official Motatapu account only.
⚠️ SCAM WARNING: We will never request payment or ask for your bank or credit card details to claim your prize. Please be aware of fake accounts or messages pretending to be Motatapu.

Welcome to the crew, Almighty. 👊
Almighty

21/08/2026

When the views take your breath away… and the descents burn your thighs. 🔥

20/08/2026

Looking for your next adventure? 🚵‍♂️

How about 47km of iconic high-country mountain biking through the spectacular Motatapu Valley - normally off-limits and accessible only on race day.

Four stations. Big climbs. Fun descents. One epic day.

If you’re happiest on two wheels, you’ll want to check this one out.

📅 6 March 2027
🚵‍♂️ 47km MTB (plus EBike option)
📍 Wānaka → Arrowtown

Ready to ride it? Enter now.
👉 motatapu.com

18/08/2026

200 days until you could be on one of these start lines at Motatapu 2027.

Five events. One epic day.
Which start line are you headed for on 6 March? 👉

ASICS New Zealand
Arrowtown, New Zealand
Clif Bar NZ
Jennie Taylor
PURE Sports Nutrition
Queenstown Trails
Wānaka, New Zealand
Queenstown, New Zealand
Over The Top Helicopters

Trail Marathon
42km | 1050m climbing

Run or Walk.
Once-a-year trail access.

Motatapu Station to Arrowtown

Emerson’s Mountain Bike
47km | 1150m climbing

Includes E-bike option

Exclusive course access for one day

Glendhu Bay to Arrowtown

UDC Finance Miners Trail
15km | 840m climbing

Run or Walk.
A short course with a serious climb.

Arrowtown to Arrowtown

UDC

Rab Ultra
52km | 3300m climbing

The big one!
Glendhu Bay to Arrowtown

Rab NZ

Jennian Homes Junior Trail Run
4km

For the future legends

Arrowtown to Arrowtown

Jennian Homes Central Otago and Queenstown

13/08/2026

Motatapu Track, aka Rab Ultra course.

DOC: Recommends 4 days, 3 nights 🥾

Yeah, nah.

Motatapu Ultra athletes:
Give us a day. 🏃‍♂️💨

Same track. Different agendas.

Rab Ultra | 52km | 3,300m vert

Rab NZ Department of Conservation

10/08/2026

TRAIL LEGENDS 2027 — WE’RE LOOKING FOR YOU

We’re looking for 7 people to become part of the Motatapu story.

Trail Legends will share their journey throughout the year, from training and preparation to race day, the highs, the lows and everything in between. Whether it’s your first Motatapu or your tenth, we want to hear your story.

You don’t need to be an elite athlete. You just need to love the outdoors, get excited about big adventures and be willing to bring others along for the ride.

Tag someone that would be perfect for this.

Link in bio for more details

05/08/2026

Always time to stop for a quick selfie when the views are this good ⛰️🤳

📷 Itch.nz - Got an Itch for content?

23/07/2026

🏃‍♀️ Super-Early running & walking entries are officially SOLD OUT! 🔥

🚵 Mountain bikers, it's your turn. You can still access Super-Early pricing for the Emerson's 47km Mountain Bike (including the E-Bike category) – but not for long!

Ride one of New Zealand’s most iconic high-country courses, with exclusive access through private stations from Glendhu Bay, Lake Wānaka to Arrowtown.

📅 Race Day: Saturday 6 March 2027
Enter now 👉 motatapu.com
Super-Early MTB pricing ends 31 July or when sold out.

21/07/2026

The Jennian Homes Central Otago and Queenstown 4km Junior Trail Run is a fun, family-friendly trail experience through Arrowtown, giving young runners the chance to explore the trails and finish under the Motatapu finish arch and experience that euphoric finish-line feeling.

Super Early rates are available until 31 July 2026 (or until capacity is reached).

A perfect opportunity to get the kids involved, set a goal, and be part of the Motatapu experience.

🏃‍♀️ Jennian Homes 4km Junior Trail Run
📅 Saturday 6 March 2027

Legend Awaits.

19/07/2026

Super Early spots are still available for the 47km Mountain Bike! 🚵‍♀️

Once a year, this iconic course opens to riders - giving you the chance to experience the spectacular Motatapu, Soho and Glencoe high-country stations on two wheels.

Is 2027 your year to take on the adventure?

🚵 Emerson’s 47km Mountain Bike (with E-Bike option)
📅 Saturday 6 March 2027

Legend Awaits.

Address

49 Buckingham Street
Queenstown
9302

Website

http://www.motatapu.com/

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