Kaiteriteri’s mountain bike trails were alive with action on Sunday as 100 riders tackled the Karmakaze Enduro, showcasing both the region’s world-class terrain and its growing riding community.
Organised by the Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Club, the event tested competitors across some of the park’s most technically demanding trails. While aimed at experienced riders, the atmosphere remained firmly focused on fun, inclusivity and community spirit.
Enduro racing follows a stage-based format, with riders completing untimed uphill transfers before racing timed downhill stages against the clock. The stages vary in difficulty and duration, from short, high-intensity runs of two to three minutes through to longer descents lasting up to ten minutes.
A defining feature of this year’s event was the strong turnout of young riders. Half of the field, 50 competitors, were aged under 15, reflecting significant growth in youth participation compared with previous years.
The youngest entrant, Carson Hayward, nine, lined up alongside the event’s oldest competitor, Brent Hartshorne, 60, highlighting the broad appeal of the sport.
Race director Jim Hawkridge says the increasing presence of young riders stood out on the day.
“It’s great to see so many young riders competing this year. The level of riding has really stepped up,” Jim says. “The younger groms coming through are incredibly fast and are developing strong skills thanks to the quality riding available here in the Tasman region.”
He says many of the region’s junior riders are now confidently tackling Grade 5 trails, demonstrating both ability and maturity in how they manage risk.
“They’re riding smart and calculated. Events like this help grow their skillset and confidence, and you can see the sense of achievement across all age groups.”
With a strong community turnout, competitive racing and a new generation of riders pushing the limits, the Karmakaze Enduro once again reinforced Kaiteriteri’s reputation as a leading destination for mountain biking in New Zealand.
Fastest times
On the four-stage MIDI course, Oliver Lee was the fastest male under 15 with a time of 18.33, while Gabriele Houghton recorded the fastest female under 15 time of 22.10.
On the five-stage MAXI course, Dylan Waghorn set the quickest open male time of 21.16, while Lou Kelly recorded the fastest female time on an electric mountain bike with 24.31.
