2026 Wainui Enduro
The Wainui Enduro returns for 2026, running concurrently as round 2 of the NZ Enduro Series.
This is one that we’re really excited about. It’s the first time that a Welly MTB Club enduro is part of the NZ Enduro Series, and it’s all on at the Wainui Trail Project. We’re stoked to share some of the best trails in Wellington with riders from all of NZ
The Wainui Trail Project has gone from strength to strength over the past few years, with redevelopment of a classic grade 4 trail (with the best views over the harbour), and an amazing range of new grade 5 trails. So we're stoked to welcome riders back to the 2026 Wainui Enduro, which will also be round two of the NZ Enduro Series.
Hand-built by locals over the past 18 years, Wainui has a mixture of fast, sinuous trails set amongst regenerating native bush, amazing views over the harbour, and just the right mixture of beech roots and speed. And over the past 5 years, a new generation of trail builders have brought their vision to the park, delivering some of the best tech trails in Wellington.
We’ll have a great selection trails, mixing some of the Wainui classics with some of the newer tech trails. There will be flow, beautiful beech forest, views out over the harbour, and a couple of days of fun. We can’t wait to see you there.
RACE DATE : February 22nd (course open for practice on February 21st)
Race Course
As usual, there will be two courses - a hard course (which will count towards Wellington Enduro Series and NZ Enduro Series points), and an intermediate course (shorter and easier tracks).
The hard course will be:
491 into Fade to Black
Gingernuts into Double Happy
Not Even Ow
Spoonhill into McMillans
Freewheel
The easier course will be:
Freewheel
Superplus (to Chur No Bull intersection)
Labyrinth Return into Snails
Ngā Tuna (via Second Star climb).
We’ll follow our normal format on race day - course stages can be completed in any order. You’re able to do re-runs on stages, and your fastest time will count. You’ll have 4 hours to complete the course and get back to the race village.
For more information on the Wainuiomata Trails, visit Trailforks.
Classes and Categories
There will be two classes offered on race day:
Hard Course (eligible for Wellington Enduro Series and NZ Enduro Series points). This will have a mixture of grade 4 and 5 trails
Intermediate Course - this will have a selection of smoother, easier (grade 3 and 4) trails.
Age groups for the Wellington Enduro Series are:
Gender Diverse, Men & Women - U10, U13, U16, U19, Open, M1 (30+), M2 (40+) & M3 (50+) and E-bike (Open and 40+).
Results for the NZ Enduro Series will be calculated from the date of birth recorded at registration. On the day results will use the Wellington Enduro Series age groups noted above, and NZ Enduro Series results will be posted separately.
Alex Chronis Memorial Prize
Alex Chronis (Wombat) was a long-standing member of the mountain bike community who left us too soon. Each year the Wellington MTB Club remembers the contributions of Wombat by offering the Alex Chronis Memorial Prize, which is available to the most outstanding junior races (U19 and below age categories).
Thanks again to the support of WH Worrall and Co and Giro, we’re stoked to be able to offer a Giro DH helmet as a prize.
Entries are open now at the Welly MTB Club events website, and keep an eye out here for more details over the coming weeks.
