Epic One Day Off-Road Event
Each year for one day only the pristine trails of the Motatapu welcomes thousands of all-comers to experience one of New Zealand’s favourite off-road sporting events.
Sign up for our athlete newsletter so you are kept up to date with all the important information!
Join us on Saturday 1 March 2025
Sustainability
We are incredibly lucky to be able to hold our events in some of the most stunning, privately owned and protected backcountry in New Zealand. Respecting our environment and supporting our local community are integral values we want to share with all our Motatapu whānau, whether you are a competitor, volunteer, support person, staff, partner or contractor.
We look for sustainable options wherever possible and continue to support local charities, focusing on the Queenstown Trails Trust, as our major partner. We donate $5 from every entry to the Trust after the event, plus the donations we receive on checkout at registration. These funds go directly back into the local trail networks, enabling the Trust to maintain and expand trails in the future.
We are also proud to work with the Mahu Whenua team and help highlight what they are doing on the Motatapu, Mt Soho and Glencoe high-country stations. The Mahu Whenua philosophy is for sustainable farming and it aptly translates to “healing the land”. They have planted over 1 million native trees, flaxes, shrubs and grasses and are pioneering a seedling programme; the eradication of pests and predators is bringing native species back from the brink in the area.
To ensure it continues, more than 90% of the land was placed under protective covenants in 2015 (The Queen Elizabeth II National Trust), making it the largest conservation undertaking on private land in New Zealand’s history.
We are privileged to work with them as they continue to restore and enhance these three iconic high-country Stations; that we are lucky to be able to race through on our event day!
John and Emily McRae from the Glendhu Bay Station have multiple sustainability projects which we are proud to be a part of. 80% of all fees from all sporting events on the Glendhu Station go back into the planting project and their efforts to become a carbon positive station.
We proudly use a local events team to bring the Motatapu to life and support our local economy, events and tourism industry. By being an active part of our community, we hope to bring positive change and welcome our race whānau to this beautiful part of Aotearoa.
Download The App
Join Newsletter
Latest News
View all newsWhat a Day! Thank you!!
What an incredible day! We loved seeing thousands of ultra-keen bikers, runners and walkers taking to the hills of Wānaka and Arrowtown.
Defending Champions Top 2024 Motatapu Podiums
There were some epic battles for podium spots, while for others the day was about ticking off a bucket list achievement!
Read our full press release here.
Final Race Information!
The day is nearly here!
Check out your final pre-event athlete newsletter for 2024!
Bonus Entry Week!
We are extending the entry deadline to Thursday 29th Feb at 11:59pm! This is for every event except the Ultra run. If you are on the fence, there is still time to join us for a wonderful day at the 2024 Motatapu on 2nd March!
RACE INFORMATION
Make sure you know all of the important information needed to make it an epic day out on the course!
Check out your athlete newsletter here to view.
Jo’s epic mission!
We work very closely with Jo Booker and the team at Soho Property which manages the beautiful high country stations we are very lucky to race through; so when she told us she was raising money for the Southern Lakes Sanctuary by walking 100km a week for the entire of 2024, we thought it was amazing!
Mayumi’s Motatapu Legacy
Mayumi Saunders reflects on her annual tradition as a Motatapu volunteer, with unexpected turns, family camaraderie, and a commitment to community service.
Design the medal comp
Calling all young artists! We are on the lookout for a talented artist to design this year’s Jennian Homes Junior Trail run medal.
2023 Wrap Up!
What an incredible day! Thank you for joining us across all events, we loved it too!
New 56km Coronet Loop MTB Course for 2023
The Macpac Motatapu are incredibly excited and grateful to be announcing a brand new backcountry mountain bike race for the 2023 event
Jennian Homes Junior Trail Run is back!
Macpac Motatapu are thrilled to announce our newest event, the Jennian Homes Junior Trail Run to the lineup on 4th March 2023! Jennian Homes Junior Trail Run – 4km is open to children between 7 – 15 years old and will have a limited entry of 150, so we advise to sign up quick.