RACE RULES

CODE OF CONDUCT, SAFETY GUIDELINES AND RACE RULES

Your challenge is to:

use good common sense
stay safe
race hard
play fair
and have a bloody good time doing it!

CODE OF CONDUCT

As a part of attending the festival all participants and spectators agree to:

Demonstrate through words and actions the spirit of sportsmanship, sports leadership and ethical conduct.
Treat others with respect and refrain from negative or disparaging remarks or conduct.
Not knowingly place themselves in a situation that could give rise to a conflict between personal interests of the festival
Comply at all times with the laws, bylaws, policies, rules and regulations the festival operates under.
Respect basic human rights.
Work in a spirit of manaakitanga, cooperation with others, assisting less experienced people, and refraining from public criticism of others.
Refrain from, and refuse to tolerate in others, any form of harassment or abuse be it physical, verbal, mental or sexual of athletes, officials and other people involved in athletics.
Not act in any way that brings the sport, the event company or any other partner organisation into disrepute.
At all times, be honest and act in the best interests of the community.

SAFETY GUIDELINES

All Competitors:

You are responsible for your own physical condition — please train appropriately for the challenge you’re taking on.
Enter at your own risk. A pre-event medical check is strongly advised.
Mountain bike racing is demanding. Risks include (but are not limited to): collisions with other riders, officials, spectators, trees, terrain, or vehicles; and potential for heat exhaustion or dehydration.
While every effort is made to ensure a safe and fun event, neither the organiser (Tohu Experiences Group) nor event officials can guarantee safety across the full course.
All riders must attend the compulsory event briefing before their race start.
Compulsory safety equipment must be worn/used where applicable.
It’s your responsibility to ensure your bike and gear are in safe, working condition and suited to the weather and trail conditions. Bring enough food, water, and energy to get through the day.
Always stop to help an injured rider. If it’s serious, ensure other riders are warned and send someone to alert a course marshal or medic.
If you need to withdraw, tell an event official and return your timing device to the timing team at the start/finish area.
Riders under 16 must have a guardian present on race day who has signed consent during registration.

Mountain Bike Specific:

Helmets must be worn at all times while riding.
Officials and medics will be stationed around the course.
A sweep vehicle may collect riders who cannot continue.
Riders must follow NZ road rules and the directions of race officials.
If you’re feeling unwell or lightheaded, stop and wait for assistance.
Be alert at all times — especially when passing or being passed.

RACE RULES

Ignorance of the rules is not an excuse.

Eligibility & Categories:
- Categories: Solo, Team (2–5 riders). Separate divisions for solo/duo/team and e-bike in 6‑hr and 12‑hr.
- Age: Age is determined by the day of the event. Minimum age is;
  - Teams - 8 years (there must be an adult riding with kids under 10 years)
  - Solo - 18 years
  - School teams (inter-school category) is only open to high-schools
  - Trophies: Inter‑Club (12‑hr), Business House (12‑hr), Inter‑School (6‑hr)
- Accompanying Adult: Riders under 10 years of age must have an accompanying adult/guardian who is 18 years or older riding within 10m of them during their lap (excludes high school teams). The accompanying adult does not have to be a team member however they will require a seperate race plate which can be collected from the registration desk when collecting team packs.
Start Times & Course
- Location: Waipa MTB Carpark, Whakarewarewa Forest, Rotorua.
- 12‑hr race: mass start at 10 am. 6‑hr race starts immediately after.
- Lap Length: approx. 5–7 km per lap.
Team Relay Procedure
- Teams MUST have their rider names submitted prior to race start and they are the ONLY riders who may participate in the race for that team.
- Riders under 10 years old MUST have an Accompanying Adult (guardian 18+) riding within 10m of them during their lap.
- Rider changeovers MUST take place in the designated transition zone within Tent City. No riding the course outside your lap (unless you are an Accompanying Adult)
- Teams MUST carry the official race timing chip, which must be passed to each rider at every lap change.
Mandatory Equipment & Safety
- Helmet: All riders must wear an NZ Standards–approved helmet at all times while on course
- Lights: Night riding requires working front lights. Minimum 1 white/yellow front light.
- Bike standards: Acoustic/non-motorised mountain bikes only unless competing in the e-bike categories.
- Each bike must display a securely fastened race plate on the bars
E-Bike Category
- E-bikes are ONLY allowed in the e-bike categories and acoustic bikes are not allowed in the e-bike categories.
- E-Bikes definition: An e-bike must be a pedal-assist electric bicycle with a maximum low power output of 300 watts, in line with NZTA guidelines. E-bikes can provide motor assistance up to 45 km/h but must not be modified from the manufacturer’s standard specifications. Motors must be pedal-assist only (no throttles). Each rider is permitted one battery per race (no battery swapping). Range extenders are allowed but must be carried by the rider for the duration of the event.
Course Conduct
- Ride only on the marked course; course cutting or shortcutting results in disqualification.
- No drafting behind other competitors or vehicles.
- Overtaking: shout and pass safely—speed reduction may be enforced.
- The event runs on shared forest trails—ride considerately and give way to walkers.
- If you stop, move off the trail to allow safe passage.
Support Crews & Camping
- Team sites must be within the designated Tent City area however additional camping area outside Tent City can be purchased through the Waipa I-Site.
- No vehicle support allowed on the course.
Health & Fair Play
- Participants ride at their own risk. First-aid is provided onsite.
- Organiser reserves the right to remove riders for dangerous or unsporting behaviour.
Timing & Results
- Laps are recorded via transponders.
- Final placing determined by the number of laps completed; tie broken by cumulative lap time.
- Protests may be lodged in writing within 30 minutes of the event end, with a $100 deposit, refundable if upheld.
Disqualification
- Participants may be disqualified for:
- Failing to wear a helmet
- Failing to wear lights after dusk
- Interfering with other competitors
- Cutting the course
- Entering the race without a valid bib or timing chip
- Ignoring marshal instructions
- Unsafe equipment or behaviour
- Or for any reason at the discretion of the Event/Race Director
Officials’ Authority
- Race officials’ decisions are final.
Rules Amendments
- These rules may be updated up to event day. Any changes will be communicated via the event website and at the pre-race briefing.
Fair Play Commitment
- Cateye Moonride is inclusive and fun—from families to pro racers. We expect positive, respectful conduct towards all participants, volunteers, staff, and the forest environment.
We can't leave it at 13 rules, so we have to make another one. The Event Directors decision is final. See, that was easy wasn't it. Now we have 14, not 13 rules...

RACE RULES

CODE OF CONDUCT, SAFETY GUIDELINES AND RACE RULES

CODE OF CONDUCT

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