The Macpac Motatapu are incredibly excited and grateful to be announcing a brand new backcountry mountain bike race for
the 2022 event, all thanks to the hard work and vision of Soho Property Ltd, QEII National Trust and the Queenstown Trails Trust. A team of talented people from these organisations have been toiling away over the past three years to create
Queenstown’s newest backcountry trail, the Coronet Loop. We are very proud to say our newest race, the 56km Coronet Loop Mountain Bike race will mark the official opening of the track, with 200 cross country riders vying for the inaugural win.
The stunning 56km technical backcountry circuit gives riders the most spectacular access to Greengates Saddle, Deep and
Coronet Creeks around the back of Coronet Peak, which have not previously been open for public access.
“We want to thank the team at Soho Property Ltd, the QEII National Trust and the Queenstown Trails Trust for giving us
this amazing opportunity to run a race on this very special track,” commented Gemma Peskett, co-owner of Macpac
Motatapu. “The Coronet Loop is the perfect step up for our riders who have done the Macpac Motatapu valley mountain bike
and want to move up to the next level. There are some tough climbs and fast descents, accompanied by more technical
terrain and challenging course length, which will appeal to an intermediate to advanced rider. Plus, the most epic views
throughout the course. We have been working closely with the team, to make sure we create a race which not only
celebrates the opening of the track but will be a fantastic regular addition to the Macpac Motatapu event lineup.”
Current Macpac Motatapu competitors will be given the opportunity to snap up the first 100 spots on the new Coronet Loop
race, when entries open on Thursday 20 January at 9am. This will be on a first come, first served basis via the Macpac
Motatapu online form here. After this the entries will open up to the public on Monday 24 January at 9am through the Macpac Motatapu website entry system.
“We believe there will be an appetite for this race amongst our current competitors and the New Zealand mountain bike
community,” commented Craig Gallagher, co-owner of Macpac Motatapu. “With 3 out of our 5 events already sold out and
only a few spots left on the 47km UDC Mountain Bike, we are in a great position to add this to our roster and give our
participants another epic sporting experience on 5th March 2022. We are also excited to announce top cross-country
riders Craig Oliver and Sam Shaw have confirmed their attendance already!”
“We are excited that the first event on our new track will be with our long term partners at the Macpac Motatapu Race,”
says Joanna Booker, Soho Property Ltd. “We believe the new track will be a fantastic addition to the events on race day,
and to the “Arrowtown Experience” for the public in the future.”
“This event will quickly become one of the ‘must-do’ races on the NZ calendar,” says Mark Williams, CEO, Queenstown
Trails Trust. “The awe-inspiring terrain which the trail traverses will be a highlight in any athletes career, and we’re
stoked that we’ll be able to celebrate the official opening of the trail in conjunction with our event partners, the
Macpac Motatapu.”
For more information on the Mahu Whenua Eco Sanctuary and QEII National Trust
For more information on the Queenstown Trails Trust and how to donate.
For more information on Macpac Motatapu events and the Coronet Loop.
Aotearoa's largest off-road sporting event! www.motatapu.com
Rights free images here - please credit Macpac Motatapu
For media enquiries, images, interviews and comment please contact:
Sophie Luther
Communications and Marketing Manager - Motatapu Event Limited
+64 210 269 2375
The Macpac Motatapu is one of the largest off-road event on the New Zealand sporting calendar. With close to 4000
participants in 2020, the Motatapu continues to attract runners, riders and walkers from across NZ.
The iconic Macpac Motatapu Off-Road Sporting Event is held annually in March in Queenstown and Wānaka, traversing
Motatapu, Soho and Glencoe stations. Known for its challenging-yet achievable course, the race snakes its way through
stunning high country terrain only accessible to the public one day a year for the Motatapu event.
The inaugural race was held in 2005, offering a mountain bike or marathon option attracting 1,000 participants that has
since jumped to around 4000 annually.
The 2022 Macpac Motatapu boasts six events on the 5th March, with challenges for all the family. The Ultra Run, Off-Road
Marathon, Miners Trail have sold out but waitlists are operational.
The mammoth event has gained iconic status in Australasia and is known as the bucket-list off-road event for both elite
athletes and weekend warriors.