Two of New Zealand’s classic mountain bike participation events will double as Cycling New Zealand’s UCI Marathon MTB National Championships for the next four years.

The Marathon MTB National titles will be decided at the Whaka 100 in Rotorua in 2025 and 2027, and the Tombstone Bike at Hanmer Springs in 2026 and 2028.

The Marathon MTB National Championship is the longest of the championship events, and is a selection race for the UCI Marathon World Championships.

This year’s Marathon World Championships in September will be combined with the legendary Grand Raid BCVS which links from Verbier to Grimentz across the Valais Alps in the south of Switzerland.

Nduro Events owner, Tim Farmer and his team manage both the Whaka 100 and Tombstone Bike and they keen to develop the status of the Marathon MTB Nationals as part of these two iconic annual events.

Founded in 2007, the Whaka 100 has created a growing reputation as the toughest MTB marathon in the Southern Hemisphere. It is set in Rotorua’s Whakarewarewa Forest, Rotorua which is known for its mountain biking trails and is one of only six Gold Level IMBA ride centres in the world. This year’s event is set for 25-26 October.

Farmer said that kiwi mountain bikers have a global status that is considerably greater than the size of the country, and its riders are producing world-class results in all disciplines of the sport.

“This is a way we can pay some homage to our incredible riders and at the same time offer an opportunity for riders to chase national titles and potentially a world championship spot. And they can do this as part of our fantastic events at the Whaka 100 and Tombstone Bike.”