This information is for press and media to better understand the Whaka 100 event, its impact on riders and Rotorua, and the people behind it.
ABOUT THE WHAKA 100
The Isuzu Utes Whaka 100 presented by Rotorua NZ, is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest and toughest mass-participation mountain biking event, held in Rotorua, New Zealand. It takes place annually on Labour Weekend, this year on 20-22 October 2023. Attracting everyone from international athletes and Olympians to weekend warriors and beginners, the Whaka 100 has a selection of challenging distances and courses that make the most of Rotorua’s unique and world-famous Whakarewarewa Forest trail network.
The Isuzu Utes Whaka 100 presented by Rotorua NZ, is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest and toughest mass-participation mountain biking event, held in Rotorua, New Zealand. It takes place annually on Labour Weekend, this year on 20-22 October 2023. Attracting everyone from international athletes and Olympians to weekend warriors and beginners, the Whaka 100 has a selection of challenging distances and courses that make the most of Rotorua’s unique and world-famous Whakarewarewa Forest trail network.
KEY FACTS
- Over 3,000 participants from international athletes and Olympians to beginners and families.
- New Zealand’s largest cycling event in 2022
- Whaka 100 hosts the UCI Cross Country MTB Marathon and Eliminator National Championships for 2023-2025
- Seven events include:
- Whaka Kids 5km Fun Ride
- Whaka 10km Fun Ride
- Whaka 25km
- Whaka 50km
- Whaka 100km (XCM UCI Cross Country MTB National Championship)
- Whaka Miler
- Whaka Eliminator (XCE UCI MTB National Championship)
- The Whaka 100 benefits the Rotorua economy across the year, generating over $4.5m annually, with over $1.5m on event weekend (2020)
- Whaka 100 is a major donor to the Rotorua Trails Trust and First Response service through entry sales. Participants are also able to add on a further voluntary donation.
- 20-22 October 2023, Labour Weekend annually
- Whakarewarewa Forest, Rotorua, New Zealand
- www.whaka100.co.nz
RESOURCES
- How to pronounce Whaka 100. Short for Whakarewarewa, the name of the forest it’s hosted in. Locally, the ‘Whaka’ forest is pronounced ‘waka’. The event should be pronounced ‘waka’ 100.
- Naming conventions
- ‘Whaka 100’ is the overall event name. We use ‘km’ to denote the event’s distances, so Whaka 100km is the titular distance, the Whaka 50km and so on. The exceptions are the Whaka Miler and Whaka Eliminator.
- Full event title is Isuzu Utes Whaka 100 presented by RotoruaNZ. Use for first mention. Further mentions are Isuzu Utes Whaka 100.
- History of the Whaka 100
- Our sustainability journey
ABOUT NDURO EVENTS
The team at Nduro Events are a lively and innovative full service event management company devoted to making unmissable event experiences. Owned by Rotorua locals, Tim and Belinda Farmer since 2014, the team runs and supports big name events across the North Island. Events include the Whaka 100, Highlander Geyser to Trail, Volcanic Epic and Run The Forest. The Nduro goal is to make a meaningful and positive impact not only for participants, but partners and the wider social and economic benefit for Rotorua.
The team at Nduro Events are a lively and innovative full service event management company devoted to making unmissable event experiences. Owned by Rotorua locals, Tim and Belinda Farmer since 2014, the team runs and supports big name events across the North Island. Events include the Whaka 100, Highlander Geyser to Trail, Volcanic Epic and Run The Forest. The Nduro goal is to make a meaningful and positive impact not only for participants, but partners and the wider social and economic benefit for Rotorua.
OUR TEAM
Nduro Events is owned and operated by Rotorua locals Tim & Belinda Farmer, with a small passionate team:
Nduro Events is owned and operated by Rotorua locals Tim & Belinda Farmer, with a small passionate team:
- Mike Cockin - marketing & sponsorship
- Helene Nicholson - operations and logistics
- Kacy Sander - digital content lead
- Chris Randle - experience consultant RNDLx
KEY CONTACTS FOR PRESS
Contact Mike as your primary person to reach Tim and the team. We can connect you with athletes, partners and stakeholder as well as the event and riding in Rotorua.
Mike Cockin
Marketing & Sponsorship Originally from the UK, Mike brings over ten years’ marketing and comms experience, managing brands, campaigns, and events for both major UK and NZ companies. His experience combined with passion for sharing mountain biking with others drives Nduro’s marketing and sponsorship. |
M: tim@nduro.co.nz
|
Tim Farmer
Co-owner and Race Director Tim is a Director of Nduro Events with over twenty years’ experience. Initially working for Corporate Sports Australia coordinating functions for the likes of VISA and F1 before returning to New Zealand to join the Police. In 2014, after ten years of service, Tim and his partner Belinda, acquired Nduro Events. Their motivation was to bring the big event experience they’d had riding competitively overseas, to New Zealand. Together, they have successfully grown the Whaka 100 into the Southern Hemisphere's biggest mass participation mountain bike event. Tim has also managed the 2016 WEMBO 24 hour endurance MTB World Championships, and contracts to other major events, including the Ironman series, Crankworx and Enduro World Series. |
IMAGES & VIDEOS FOR MEDIA