Event Day Website

KAIMAI CLASSIC
SUNDAY 5 MAY, 2013

THE 2012 EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED

70km multisport adventure McLaren Falls Park to Te Puna

CHECK OUT NEW VIDEO CAPTURED AT THE 2011 EVENT

VIEW THE 2011 FINAL RACE RESULTS

VIEW THE 2011 EVENT PHOTOS

VIEW THE 2011 KAIMAI COMPANION

VIEW THE 2011 FEEDBACK (at the bottom of this page)

UPDATE APRIL 2012

We are now closing in on what could have been the 2012 Kaimai Classic race date next weekend and while we wish we could be letting all you crazy things loose on May the 6^th this year we remain focussed and committed to getting more ducks in a row and delivering the Kaimai Classic goodness to you all on May the 5^th, 2013.

Many of you would have spotted the Bay of Plenty Times article this weekend (we’ve linked it in here for you to eyeball). It’s important to us that the correct information about the popular event is in the public domain so we'd like to make a few comments:

1)      Awesome local volunteers do man the Kaimai Classic event course from start to finish line area however they are all volunteering for their respective local community groups which in turn receive a donation from the event for their efforts. In 2011 the event paid $5,000+ to top up the funds of the following community groups: Bethlehem College, Changepoint Church, Bay Coast Rowing, Te Puna Rugby Club, Tauranga Moana Outrigger Canoe Club, Tauranga Boys College, and Hoe Aroha Whanau O Mauao (Mt Maunganui Outrigger Club). These groups do a damn fine job out there over the event weekend. Course director and transition manager costs are additional to this to make for one rocking Kaimai Classic course!

2)      There are no road closures in place for the event but significant traffic management and roading consent costs are incurred to allow us to put the event on safely for the punters. Once you add other big ticket costs of professional race timing, medical support, regulatory expenses, event infrastructure, venue hire, event insurance, event MC’s, event marketing, and event logistics costs to ensure delivery of a professional, safe event the total figure is very significant and daunting / grey hair producing without the cash support the event has had over the past few years.

3)      We’ve have tried to spread the word about the Kaimai Classic announcement as best as we can to the Kaimai Classic audience with press releases and event website updates in February and an e-news to our Kaimai Classic database heading out on February the 13^th.

Thank you so much to all the supportive comments coming through from past competitors who are as damn disappointed as us that they can’t compete in 2012. I’m stoaked the Kaimai Classic is so important to people and we are working damn hard for 2013. Elites, family groups, work groups, weekend warriors- it’s going to be so awesome to see you back in a year’s time on May the 5^th, 2013!

That’s all for now, Luke

UPDATE FEBRUARY 2012: Kaimai Classic has been postponed until Sunday 5 May, 2013.
After managing a very successful and much loved 2011 event, the decision to postpone the 2012 Kaimai Classic has lost us plenty of sleep. At the end of the day, it was the best decision to make for the long term success of the awesome 70km multisport adventure. We did consider a revised date later this year, but feel strongly that the Kaimai Classic belongs in May and we look forward to it being back on Sunday 5 May, 2013.

So while this will be a disappointing read for many, please note the Kaimai Classic will be back and the desire to put on a kick-arse, well supported 2013 event is very strong. To the many who've already locked in the 2012 date and shared their enthusiasm with us for this year's event, we're sorry - that's been the hardest part for us. For those with complimentary entries for 2012, please sit tight and we will definitely honour these in 2013.

Event Day is committed to delivering amazing event experiences at reasonable prices and many exciting things are happening behind the scenes of the Kaimai Classic.

Entries for the 2013 event will open on 1 December this year, so treat yourself an early Christmas present for the monster 2013 Kaimai Classic reunion event!

Lock in your next Kaimai Classic
Sunday 5 May, 2013!

Thanks for your fantastic continued support.

WHY YOU SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE NEXT KAIMAI CLASSIC!
• The signature Multisport event in the Bay of Plenty region is one of the largest multisport events in the country. The event attracts both the elite and casual and this spectacular 70km course can be tackled as either an individual or as part of a team. It’s huge on community spirit and the massive spectator support behind all competitors ensures everyone gets over the finish line in Te Puna.

If you can’t do the full distance individually round up school mates, work mates, family and friends and enter the popular teams event! It’s a very safe course and although it has its challenges it doesn’t require competitors to be rockstars at any discipline. The Kaimai Classic – it’s the event for mass participation! We can assist with extra gear, kayak hire or even finding additional team mates for you. No excuses – come and be a part of the fun!

KAIMAI ROLE OF HONOUR 2009 - 2011

INDIVIDUAL MALE

2011 Dwarne Farley (3:17:58) **

2010 Dwarne Farley (3:12:47)

2009 Richard Ussher (3:13:48)

INDIVIDUAL FEMALE

2011 Sonya Thompson (4:05:34) **

2010 Karen Hanlen (3:38:53)

2009 Elina Ussher (3:52:30)

TOP TEAMS

2011 Jamis Dragons (3:02:50) **

2010 Bike and Pack (3:07:28)

2009 Grumpy Joints (3:28:11)

** NOTE: Course extended from 67km to 70km in 2011

2011 SECONDARY SCHOOL WINNERS
Individual - Hayden Moorehouse (3:52:45)

Team - Tauranga Boys College (3:03:50)

THE CLASSIC JOURNEY
• 5km SAUCONY Off-Road Run. A stunning collection of trails inside McLaren Falls Park - plenty of single track, topped up with grass parkland & stretches of park roads to link up the tracks.

Download course map, elevation profile and directions here.

• 17km JAMIS Mountain Bike. The course starts inside the equestrain area at McLaren Falls Park and winds it way quickly through the track network before exiting the main entrance of the park and crossing McLaren Falls Road over onto the right hand side of the Ruahihi Canal. Once you exit the Ruahihi Canal you have two short road sections and two very enjoyable long rides through private land sections. A great amount of downhill!

Download full course map here. Download start section through McLaren Falls Park here.

• 11km WAIMARINO ADVENTURE PARK Kayak. Safe and scenic paddle down the Wairoa River. Pretty straighforward course this one! Get in at the MTB to kayak transition and paddle your butt off before exiting at the boat ramp underneath the Wairoa Bridge. A damn fine paddle.

Download course map here.

• 23km CYCLE OBSESSION Road Bike. Predominantly flat blat through the streets of Te Puna

Download course map, elevation profile and directions here

• 11km SMITHS SPORT SHOES Road Run. Testing finale through the Te Puna countryside. Containing more than 50% road / footpath this course can be tackled pretty smartly (providing of course you have some left in the tank). The areas where we divert you off the main roads are all very worthy additions! There are the odd hill but on the whole the terrain is definitely not as demanding as leg one at McLaren Falls Park making it a great way to finish off the day! Remember as the course traverses so much private land it is strictly for race day only.

Download course map and elevation profile here.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ENTRIES OPEN DECEMBER THE 1st, 2012

Please direct all event enquiries to luke@eventday.co.nz

Words straight from the 2011 competitors mouths

“The event itself was really well run. This was my first Kaimai Classic so I can't compare the course to previous years. I was real glad though that I didn't have to run up the Minden for the final leg. Being able to drop bikes & kayaks at the transitions in the morning was helpful. Staff and marshals were excellent, all friendly, enthusiastic and helpful and the course was well marked”

“Loved the quick snappy prize giving, and the new first run course was more enjoyable, still tough but a definite improvement”

“The fact that it was challenging (despites some of my grumbles as I was climbing various hills - they were good grumbles though”!)

“The huge range of people who entered - competitive and social, young and old, male/female, fit and unfit. An event that everyone can participate in” :)

“The whole thing impressed me but my particular favourites were: the massage, the indoor prize giving venue and ability to have a beer if you liked, this also made it family friendly for the kids to run around safely as they had the whole rugby field to play on. I also like the prizes (loads of them and great prizes too), the ability to enter multiple legs, the option to have as many team members as you like, the freedom to set up at transition when you could, the kayak hire, car parking, the volunteers and their enthusiasm and encouragement”

“I was impressed with the early set-up of transition 3 and 2. For a first timer it was great being able to set-up my road bike so that my support crew (my wife) had less to organize. It was also great setting up the kayak”

“I did the mountain bike. I thought the course was bloody good except for the fact I just about died. Will get fitter next yr! Good having lots of marshals and that they were very friendly and encouraging – I must have looked like I was dying!!!”

“The transition from kayak to road bike was way better. The 100m bare foot run from kayak to roadie used to be the worst part of the event. All of the transitions were better now that I think about it. Great kids entertainment at the end”

“Well organised friendly event”

“Encouragement assertiveness and friendliness of the marshals”

“Loved the new course!”

“There were only certain people allowed into the transition areas which make it less chaotic”

“A VERY WELL marked course!”

“Great lively music made a great atmosphere”

“Also impressed with the amount of spot prizes, well done, a lot of events are now reducing these”

"I was very happy with the way event was run and the new transitions were great"

“The commentary at transitions was great!”

“Booklet (the Kaimai Companion) was very informative and great it was available on website before registration”

“Massage was awesome!” (Bay of Plenty Polytechnic)"

“The finish venue and hot showers available for those who needed one”

“Te Puna Rugby Club were awesome hosts!”

“Communication (e-mails) prior to the race were clear and useful”

“Great, friendly atmosphere no matter what transition you were at (and despite the weather!)”

“Results loaded really quick – good work!”

“Overall a great event...all the legs are interesting”

"I'm pumped about doing the race this year and know I'll be spreading the word to my mates"

“Great event last weekend and the changes you made were all positive”

“Going into something this big for a rugby league player captured my attention to have more fun with this event"

"Although it was tough and very testing mentally and physically, I certainly enjoyed the atmosphere of the whole event"

"I would like to extend my thanks for allowing such a novice to have a go"

"The road bike course was great this year; it brought that leg up to be a little more even with the others again with the next transition at the rugby club"

"This was just my 4th multisport event, but certainly up there in enjoyment. The other one I really enjoyed was the Rodney coast Challenge. Well done, I'll be back next year"

"Firstly, thanks HEAPS for 'your' race yesterday...it was the first time I've done the Kaimai Classic and it won't be the last...and I'll definitely recommend it to my mates! I also thank you for your quick and friendly response to any queries I had before the race!"

"Firstly a big thank you to you and your team for a fabulous event. This was our first time entering and only our second ever multi sport after doing Xterra a month ago and I think we are now addicted! Awesome fun. We will be back"

"Congrats on the event mate you ran it bloody well"

" I have just got home from the Kaimai Classic. What a great day! Congratulations on a very professionally run event. Lots of fun"

“It was, as promised, a truly fun and relaxed event; not only aimed at elite athletes. Loved it”

" The ability to watch each other and truly be part of the day no matter what legs you did as you all get to help out and cheer for the different bits. We were a team of three with my dad for support and it was perfect"

"I really enjoyed the new run and extended bike course. The marshals were great and were friendly and helpful. As an old bugger who has been doing these races for 20 years or so we are looking for a few things in a race. Value for money- Yes I think you achieved that with good spottys a well organised race and not too expensive (and) Safety - Well done with good traffic management"

"I love the Kaimai classic it's one of my favourite races as it is easy enough for anyone to do and attracts teams, but hard enough to be quite a challenge!"

"I got a few friends into the race this year that did it for the first time in a team and loved it"

"It’s such an iconic Tauranga event…people should be travelling from all over the Nth Island for it!

We'll be back May the 5th, 2013 all you good folks!

UPDATE APRIL 2012

Lock in your next Kaimai ClassicSunday 5 May, 2013! Thanks for your fantastic continued support.

Recent Updates

Lock in your next Kaimai Classic
Sunday 5 May, 2013!

Thanks for your fantastic continued support.