
Experience the unforgettable Motatapu
2024 Entries Open on Saturday 1 July 2023
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.
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Join us on Saturday 2 March 2024

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 $7 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.
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2023 Wrap Up!
What an incredible day! Thank you for joining us across all events, we loved it too!

New Official Merch!
Don't miss out on our latest order of Official Motatapu Merchandise!

Enter now and claim your personalised bib!
Now is your chance to get your very own race bib!

Marathon sold out!
The Motatapu team are delighted to announce they have sold out their iconic 42km off-road Marathon, over three months out from the event.

August Newsletter
Find out all the latest from the Motatapu in our August edition of our Newsletter!

Entries going fast!
Entries are open and we have had a bumper first six weeks! So get in quick to make sure you have your spot for the Macpac Motatapu 2023 on the 4th March.

2023 entries opening midday 7 June
Macpac Motatapu 2023 is set for Saturday 4 March with entries opening from midday (12pm) Tuesday 7 June, set that alarm!

2022 Athlete transfer entry process
From 25 May athletes that requested a transfer from the 2022 events will be emailed instructions on how to enter for Macpac Motatapu 2023 - Saturday 4 March

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.
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