EVENT INFORMATION - 2025
The 2025 NZ MTBO Championships will be hosted by Dunedin Orienteering and held in Central Otago Orienteers over the weekend of 1st / 2nd Feb. There will be a sprint in Alexandra on the morning of the 1st followed by middle distance on Matangi Station in the Afternoon. The long distance will be in Naseby Forest on 2nd Feb. A non-championship MTBO Rogaine following on Monday 3rd February. The event is to be hosted by Central Otago Orienteers and Dunedin Orienteering. This promises to be a fantastic weekend of competition, challenge, and fun for Mountain Bikers, Orienteers, and Adventure Racers of all abilities.
Courses will suit experienced and competitive mountain bike orienteers, however there will also be recreational courses for people newer to the riding and navigating with maps on a bike, or who don't wish to compete at full pace. The recreational classes also cater for those wishing to ride the course on and E-Bikes. There will be also be a course set to cater for juniors below 10.
The information on the website gives preliminary information useful to know ahead of the NZ Champs happening. More detailed information will be provided in due course, including a detailed bulletin (which can be downloaded and printed) at least 1 week prior to the event.
Check in to this website to stay up to date with other information, including entries opening , entry lists going up, and any changes to plans that may happen prior to or during the event.
Courses will suit experienced and competitive mountain bike orienteers, however there will also be recreational courses for people newer to the riding and navigating with maps on a bike, or who don't wish to compete at full pace. The recreational classes also cater for those wishing to ride the course on and E-Bikes. There will be also be a course set to cater for juniors below 10.
The information on the website gives preliminary information useful to know ahead of the NZ Champs happening. More detailed information will be provided in due course, including a detailed bulletin (which can be downloaded and printed) at least 1 week prior to the event.
Check in to this website to stay up to date with other information, including entries opening , entry lists going up, and any changes to plans that may happen prior to or during the event.
COURSES & GRADES
The NZ MTBO Champs includes 3 events:
- Sprint distance - a fast, short event with about a 22 min winning time
- Middle distance - a medium distance event with about a 45-60 min winning time
- Long distance - a longer distance event with about a 70-110 min winning time
Competitive Grades
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There are men's (M) and women's (W) grades, and specific distance/winning times varies across grades (see adjacent table).
The NZ Championships is contested in the Open and Age grades. Junior grades are in 2-year bands. e.g. M16 is open to males aged 16 or under (as at 31 Dec 2025). Masters grades are in 10-year bands e.g. W60 is open to women aged 60 or over (as at 31 Dec 2025). To calculate your age grade, base it on your age as at 31 Dec 2025. |
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Recreational Grades
Recreational classes are not championship events, and are open to anyone of any age, who may wish to participate in a less competitive environment. Recreational grades are also open to families, or people who may wish to ride with someone else in a pair or team.
E bikes are permitted in the recreational classes. When entering, please suffix your name with "ebike", so that organisers and fellow competitors are aware of those completing the course on E bikes.
There will be 3 options available for the recreational grades. All recreational grades will be mixed gender:
Recreational classes are not championship events, and are open to anyone of any age, who may wish to participate in a less competitive environment. Recreational grades are also open to families, or people who may wish to ride with someone else in a pair or team.
E bikes are permitted in the recreational classes. When entering, please suffix your name with "ebike", so that organisers and fellow competitors are aware of those completing the course on E bikes.
There will be 3 options available for the recreational grades. All recreational grades will be mixed gender:
- Rec Medium. Competitors will ride the M50 course (designed for competitive 50+ aged men).
- Rec Short. Competitors will ride the W60 course (designed for competitive 60+ aged women).
- Rec Easy. Specifically designed for competitors aged 10 and under.
KEY PEOPLE & CONTACT
Enquiries / contact:
- Event Organisers - Joe Sherriff & Bill Roxburgh
- Middle Setter/Controller – Joe Sherriff
- Sprint Setter/Controller – Fraser Stevens / Tim Sikma
- Long Setter/Controller – Conal Boland Bristow
Enquiries / contact:
EMBARGOED AREAS
The following embargo conditions apply to venues being used for the NZ Champs:
- Sprint Distance:
Boot Hill, Molyneux Park, the surrounding pine forest and associated schools.,
- Middle Distance:
In terrain use of the Matangi or Linger and Die MTBO maps prior to the championships.
You must not ride any of the Matangi MTB park tracks on Thursday 30th January, Friday 31st January or the morning of Saturday 1st February. - Long Distance:
In terrain use of the Naseby MTBO or Naseby Recreational area trail maps prior to the championships.
You must not ride any of the Naseby Recreational area tracks from Thursday 30th January till the event
ACCOMMODATION
Alexandra and the surrounding area has a wide range of accommodation. The event is at the height of both the holiday and fruit picking season so it will pay to book well in advance
EVENT LOCATIONS
PRIOR MAPS
The areas have all been used for previous MTBO events. The maps have been redrawn with up-to-date symbol sets for this event.