Race Timetable – 2026

Preliminary Race Programme 

Friday 20th March 2026

4pm – 6pm – Race Registration in Taihape

• Race Directors available to answer questions
• Team Changes
• Race Waiver signed

6:15pm – 12 Hr race briefing, map handout

7pm – 6 Hr race briefing, map handout

Saturday 21st March 2026

7:00am – 12 Hr race start.

10am – 6 Hr race start.

11am- 3 Hr race briefing and map handout.

12pm- 3Hr race start.

There will be food available to purchase at the end of your race. Gourmet beef burgers, and vege burgers. These are a huge hit with teams each year and raved about, please bring cash in case there is limited eftpos coverage.

Sunday 22nd March 2026

10am Prize giving at St Josephs School Hall, Rauma Road, Taihape.

This year the Rangitikei Adventure Race will include a 3hr, 6hr and 12hr duathlon events for schools as well as the 12hr paddling option (open event) and all will be run in a rogaine style format. This means you can collect as many or as few checkpoints as you want or are able to according to your team’s ability within the 3, 6 or 12 hours. If you are new to AR then you may only want to collect 4-5 checkpoints per stage and cruise around the course, if you are more competitive you may want to try and clear the course. If you have always wanted to step up in race duration, this is the perfect opportunity to do that as you make it as easy or challenging as you chose. Strategise and race to your strengths to maximise your points, whether that be in the trekking legs or on the mountain bike stages.

The Rangitikei Adventure Race is part of the Adventure 1 Series that brings together 4 events around the country to form a National Championship. The 12hr paddling event is part of the A1 Series.

There are a range of course lengths and categories to suit teams of different abilities.  

Team Sizes – 2, 3 or 4 people.

Course Length – 3, 6 or 12 hours. 

Age Categories –

12hr Schools - year 11/12/13
6hr Schools - year 9/10
3hr Schools - year 7/8

Gender Categories – Male, Female, Mixed.

12 Hr, 6 Hr and 3 Hr Duathlon Courses – include mountain biking, trekking, navigation, mystery activity.

Late entry fees apply from 16th February 2026. Entries close Sunday 15th March.

School teams – must have all team members enrolled at School. 

Withdrawals – Teams who wish to withdraw from the race must notify the race organisers by emailing info@rangitikeiadventurerace.com

Teams withdrawing by the 28th February will be refunded 50% of entry fee. There will be no refunds for withdrawals received on or after March 1st.

Cancellation – If the event is cancelled due to circumstances outside of the organisers control entries will be deferred to a future race date. There will be no refunds given. 

12Hr High School Teams $149pp

Late Entry: $169

6Hr High School Entry $125pp

Late Entry: $145

3Hr School Entry $79

Late Entry $99

PAYMENT 

If you are using online banking for any payments:  Rangitikei Adventure Race 06-0613-0082782-02

Please use the statement details as follows…

Particulars- Race Length 3, 6 or 12 Hour

Code- Number of people in your team

Reference- YOUR TEAMS NAME- Doesn’t matter if it doesn’t all fit just do as much as you can. Once entered please don’t change you teams name as its linked to your payment)

Enter Here

The schools championship events require teams of 4 people and either mixed, all male or all female.

Mountain biking – the mountain biking will take place on gravel roads and farm land. Be prepared for some steep hills, mud and lots of up and down!

Trekking – the trekking will be a mixture of trails, streams, native bush and farmland. This can be very steep and sometimes muddy so please wear trail shoes with good grip.

Navigation – a key part of the race is navigating to the checkpoints using map and compass. No GPS allowed. Maps are provided and are generally topographical style maps. The 3 hr race will be entry level/beginner level, the 6hr race will be beginner/intermediate level with some of the checkpoints being trickier to navigate to test those wanting to push themselves.

The 12hr event will feature challenging off track navigation. Be prepared to use your compass and traverse some steep terrain.

Mystery activities – to be revealed on the day!

We will be collecting the cell phone number from the phone you will be taking. There will be spot gear checks during the race and if you don’t have an item a 2hr time penalty will be given to your team.

The weather could be wet and cold so please bring all the clothes you require for the race. Please check the gear list carefully and ensure you have everything listed.

12 Hour Enter Here

12 HR INDIVIDUAL GEAR (must be carried by each person)

• Survival blanket or bag

• Thermal top long-sleeved – Merino or Polyprop

• Thermal bottoms

• Fleece/Merino Top (200 weight min)long sleeves

• Beanie

• Whistle

• Thermal gloves

• Waterproof jacket – ( this must be seamed sealed ) no wind breakers, plastic ponchos, puffer jackets)

• Waterproof overtrousers

• Headtorch

• Backpack

MOUNTAIN BIKING

• Cycle helmet

• Shoes

• Mountain Bike (brakes must work, tires in good condition) Gravel bikes not suitable.

• Rear red flashing bike light

• Water

TEAM GEAR

• First Aid kit – Minimum: triangular bandage, crepe bandage, strapping tape, knife, antihistamine, plasters, pain relief.

• Compass -2 per team

• Waterproof Topo Maps- Provided

• Cell Phone (Fully Charged and turned off)

• Emergency Locator Beacon

• Large Gear Box 60L-120L for transition drop

6 Hour Enter Here

6 HR INDIVIDUAL (must be carried by each person)

• Survival blanket or bag

• Headtorch

• Thermal top long-sleeved-Merino or Polyprop

• Fleece/Merino Top (200 weight min) long sleeves

• Thermal bottoms Merino or Polyprop

• Beanie

• Thermal gloves

• Whistle

• Water proof Jacket-( this must be seamed sealed ) no wind breakers, plastic ponchos, puffer jackets)

• Backpack

• Water

MOUNTAIN BIKING

• Cycle helmet

• Mountain Bike(brakes must work, wheels safe, tires in good condition) Gravel bikes not suitable.

• Rear Red Flashing Bike light

• Shoes

• Water

TEAM

• First Aid kit – Minimum: triangular bandage, crepe bandage, strapping tape, knife, antihistamine, any team medication.

• Compass – 2 per team

• Waterproof Topo Maps – Provided

• Cell Phone (Fully charged and turned off in a waterproof bag)

  3HR INDIVIDUAL (must be carried by each person)

• Thermal top long-sleeved-Merino or Polyprop

• Beanie

• Gloves

• Whistle

• Water proof Jacket-( this must be seamed sealed ) no wind breakers, plastic ponchos, puffer jackets)

• Backpack

• Water

  MOUNTAIN BIKING

  • Cycle helmet

  • Mountain Bike (brakes must work, wheels safe, tires in good condition) Gravel bikes not suitable.

  • Rear Red Flashing Bike light

  • Shoes

  • Water

  TEAM

  • First Aid kit – Minimum: triangular bandage, crepe bandage, strapping tape, knife, antihistamine, any team medication.

  • Compass – 2 per team

  • Waterproof Topo Maps – Provided

  • Cell Phone (Fully charged and turned off in a waterproof bag)

You have several options for accommodation. There are several motels in Taihape as well as River Valley. You can also go to www.visitrangitikei.com for accommodation listing in the area.

We will likely have a camping option available this year as well.