Event Information 

PLEASE REFER TO IMPORTANT BRIEFING NOTES BELOW - Entries are now Open for 2025

Course Description

The Rodney Coast Challenge multisport course description is as follows:

• 10 Km Forest Run, from Rimmer Road forest entrance to Rimmer Road forest entrance.  

• 30 Km Road Cycle stage heads out from Rimmer Road on to S.H. 16 through Helensville, Kaukapakapa, and onto Makarau

• 25 Km Mountain Bike stage heads up the Makarau Valley onto Tahekeroa Road, right into Upper Waiwera then on to Noakes Hill. Right into Krippner Road and then descends into Puhoi

• 8 Km Kayak down the Puhoi River starting at the back of the Puhoi Park and finishing at Wenderholm Park, with a 200 m sprint to the finish

Maps

Entry Categories and Costs

Individuals - price includes event t-shirt*  Individual Entry Form

• Open/Vet/Golden Oldies Male & Female - $135

• Youth 13-18 years - $110

Tandem - price includes event t-shirt*  Tandem Entry Form

• Tandem Team of 2 Adults $260

• Tandem Team of 1 Adult + 1 Youth $235

• Tandem Team of 2 Youths $210

Teams – price includes event t-shirts*  Team Entry Form

• Team of 2 $210   ( Youth 13-18 years $180 )

• Team of 3 $250  ( Youth 13-18 years $205 )

• Team of 4 $305   ( Youth 13-18 years $250 )

• Team of 4 School Teams Challenge – $299 – Kayak Supplied - Same Kayak for every team

*Event t-shirts are included in race packs for

Entries received after 31st October will be deemed to be late entries. Late entry fee $30.00

No refunds without medical certificate

Race Day Sunday 9th Novemerb 2025

Race Organiser Kaukapakapa Scout Group

Race Organiser : Nadia Mead

Email info@rcc.org.nz

http://www.rcc.org.nz

Phone 027 462 0675

Registration From 6:00 AM forest entrance on Rimmer Road

Race Briefing 7:00 AM forest entrance on Rimmer Road

Safety Requirements N.Z.S.A approved bike helmet stages 2 & 3. N.Z.S.A approved buoyancy aid stage 4. Bikes must be in road safe condition. Entry refused where any bike is deemed unsafe

Timetable

Saturday 8th November

• 5:00 PM The Puhoi park transition area opens for competitors wishing to drop their Kayaks off before the start. This is highly advisable. Officials will be on hand for security right through to race day morning if you wish to drop off early Sunday morning

• 5:00 PM The Makarau Scout Camp Mountain Bike transition area opens for competitors wishing to drop their Mountain Bikes off before the start. This is highly advisable. Officials will be on hand for security right through race day morning if you wish to drop off early Sunday morning

Sunday 9th November

• 6:15 AM The Road Cycle transition opens for competitors wishing to drop their cycles off. Officials will be on hand for security

• 6:15 AM The registration area at the forest entrance on Rimmer Road is open for check-in. Race numbers issued at check-in. Only one member of a team or the support person needs to be at check-in, other team members can go directly to their transition areas. Please bring your race number

• 7:00 AM Pre-race briefing

• 7:15 AM Race Start

Further timetable details below

Futureproof Life Rodney Coast Challenge 2025

Competitor & Support Crew Race Briefing – Sunday 09 November 2025

Welcome to this year’s Futureproof Life Rodney Coast Challenge — the 27th time the Kaukapakapa Scouts have proudly hosted this iconic event.

Each year, compliance requirements become more demanding, and your cooperation is essential to help us deliver a safe and successful race. Please ensure that you and your support crew carefully follow the instructions outlined here, in the race notes, and those given by our marshals on the day.
Only one person may assist competitors in the transition areas.

This event relies heavily on volunteers. In previous years, some have unfortunately experienced verbal abuse from competitors or support crews — behaviour that is entirely unacceptable. Please treat all marshals and volunteers with courtesy and respect. Without them, this race simply would not happen.

Pre-Race Drop-Offs – Saturday 8th November

Save time on race morning by dropping off your mountain bikes and kayaks the day before.

• 5:00 PM – Makarau Scout Camp: Mountain bike transition opens.
  Officials will be on-site overnight for security. (Morning drop-offs also accepted.)
  
  

• 5:00 PM – Puhoi Park: Kayak transition opens.
  Officials will be on-site overnight for security. This year, the kayak drop-off and transition area will be in the carpark, with river access via the launch ramp. Please note the surface can be slippery — take care and have your support person (one only) assist you. Large groups at the river edge create congestion, so please be considerate.
  
  

Race Day – Sunday 9th November

Registration & Start (Rimmer Road, Woodhill Forest)

• 6:15 AM – Road Cycle transition opens (officials on-site for security)

• 6:15 AM – Registration opens at the forest entrance, Rimmer Road

  • Only one team member or support person needs to check in

  • Race numbers issued at check-in (ensure your number is correct – check [Competitors list])

• 7:00 AM – Pre-race briefing (mandatory)

• 7:15 AM – Race start
  
  

T-shirts and refreshments (including Puhoi Pilsner and non-alcoholic drinks) will be available at the finish line at Wenderholm.

Run – 10 km

• Start and finish at Rimmer Road (Cycle Transition).

• 100% gravel road course — an out-and-back loop through the forest.

• Aid stations with water at approximately 5 km and 8 km.

• Follow all marshal instructions and marked signage.

• Your time is recorded when crossing the blue timing mat. Ensure your race number is visible.
  
  

Proceed from the finish to your road cycle or tag your teammate.
Do not shortcut across roads or through cones.

Rimmer Road Transition & Parking

• No stopping or parking near the forest entrance, transition area, or Gouldie Road.

• Vehicles must park facing downhill toward SH16. (DO NOT MOVE OUR ROAD CONES AND PARK ON THE CONED-OFF SIDE OF THE ROAD)

• Forest entrance must remain clear at all times.

• Only official race vehicles may enter the forest.
  
  

• Portaloos available.
  
  

Expect a short walk to the start.

Road Cycle – 30 km

Route: Rimmer Road → SH16 → Helensville → Kaukapakapa → right into Makarau Valley (Mountain Bike Transition).

There are no road closures — this is an open public road. Stay left, obey all road rules, and do not cross the centre line except when turning right into Makarau Valley.

Notes:

1. Watch for car doors and parked vehicles leaving Rimmer Road.

2. Exercise caution in Helensville (Sunday markets = busy traffic).

3. Take care in Kaukapakapa village — pedestrians and vehicles may cross.

4. The descent past Kaipara Lookout and Omeru Reserve is uneven; follow traffic management signage.

5. At the Makarau Road right turn, watch for oncoming traffic — do not cut corners.

6. Dismount and walk through the transition area. No riding inside the transition.
   
   

Please wear bright, visible clothing, especially in poor weather.

Mountain Bike – 25 km

Again, open public roads — stay left, ride with care, and obey all road rules. Support vehicles are not permitted on the mountain bike course.

Support Crew Parking:

• Makarau Community Hall, Burnside Road, and Burke Road.

• No parking on Makarau Road or at the Scout Camp.

• Follow the marshal's directions and respect competitors on the course.
  
  

Course Conditions:

• Roads are generally in good shape; expect loose gravel in places.

• Rain forecast may help compact surfaces for better grip.
  
  

  1. Tahekeroa Road – Is in good condition

  2. Noakes Hill – good condition, some deep ruts.

  3. Krippner Road – fast section; stay left for oncoming traffic.

  4. Puhoi Village – expect pedestrians and cars near the bridge.
     
     

Transition: Dismount before entering. Walk through to rack your bike before tagging your teammate or moving to your kayak.

Kayak – 8 km (Puhoi to Wenderholm)

• Water entry: next to the bridge, not the playing fields.

• Compact launch area — please be patient.
  
  

Key Rules:

1. Kayaks must remain in the layup area until the kayaker is wearing their race bib.

2. Race bibs must be visible over your buoyancy vest (mandatory).

3. One person may assist with entry (be ready to get wet).

4. Marshals will not assist with kayak handling.

5. Stay right-hand side of the river; navigate around a partially submerged tree (half-width obstruction).

6. Take the right fork after passing under SH1.

7. Finish to the east of the Wenderholm boat ramp and run through the marked chute to the finish line. The boat ramp is open for public use, Mind cars and  boat trailers.

8. Give way to the public — the park remains open.
   
   

Support crews must remove kayaks immediately after finish. Marshals will not handle kayaks due to Health & Safety policy.

Finish Line & Prizegiving – Wenderholm Regional Park

• Gates open 6:00 AM

• First kayakers expected 10:15 AM (based on 7:15 AM start)

• No dogs allowed (including in vehicles)

• Race packs and t-shirts collected at the finish (exchange for race number)
  
  

• Food & Coffee:

  • Sausage sizzle & bacon butties (cash preferred)

  • Harcourts Coffee & Cone truck (cash recommended – limited EFTPOS)

• Prizegiving: 1:00 PM (apologies to those still racing)
  
  

Final Notes

• Treat marshals and volunteers with respect.

• Follow course signage and marshal instructions at all times.

• Stay safe, race hard, and most of all — enjoy the challenge!
  
  

See you at the start line.
Good racing and enjoy your day!
– Nadia Mead

Safety Notes

• If you are at the scene of any accident please give assistance as required and relay a message of help via the next competitor

• Important! If you withdraw from the race please notify the nearest marshal of your number and hand in your bid

Support Crew Briefing

1. Familiarise yourself with the above Transition Maps

2. The success of the event is with you the support crews
   Rule No 1 – courtesy to all competitors not just your own entrants

3. When exiting parking area give way to cyclists and incoming forestry traffic, faze into the left lane clear of cyclists

4. Drive from Road Cycle Transition to Mountain Bike Transition takes approximately 30 minutes, travelling withing speed limits. Do not speed, Traffic Police are in attendance

5. Park at Mountain Bike Transition as per map 2 or as directed

6. SUPPORT VEHICLES ARE BANNED ON MOUNTAIN BIKE COURSE
   This is a rough gravel road. Be fair to your competitor and give them a fair go. The following route is the quickest: Exit car park, return down Makarau Road to SH16 travel via Kaukapakapa, Kahikatea Flat Road and Pine Valley Road. Take Motor way extension north to avoid Silverdale and Orewa. Travel past Wenderholm Regional Park to Puhoi turn off on the left. This drive takes approximately 45 to 50 minutes
   DO NOT PANIC – a better than average mountain biker will take 55 minutes to ride the course

7. At Puhoi, after 8.30 AM vehicles must not cross over the bridge opposite the pub, to avoid congestion with Mountain Bikes. If kayaks need to be carried to rear of the park it is best to drop these off before the race starts. Kayak transition will be manned from 5:30 AM
   CARS MUST NOT DRIVE ON THE GRASS

8. WENDERHOLM REGIONAL PARK
   Obey Park speed restrictions please
   DO NOT block access to the boat ramp and respect public rights to use the Park. Assist to clear your competitors kayak from the landing area as quickly as possible

Thanks

Nadia Mead

Race Director 

Transition Maps