​Welcome to the 2025 Great Forest Rogaine!   

​Entries for this event have now closed.  Come early to registration if you want to secure an on-the-day entry. 

PRE-EVENT BULLETIN - All competitors must read this bulletin before the event. 
GFR is a 3 or 6 hour, foot or mountain bike team rogaine open to all ages and abilities. The event will take place through the Whakarewarewa Forest area.  You won't know where exactly until you receive the map on the day - that is part of the challenge. 

Whakarewarewa Forest has hundreds of the world's best mountain bike and walking tracks.  You're guaranteed to go somewhere new, and it's all part of the ADVENTURE! 

The event base for GFR 2025 will be Te Putake o Tawa car park.  This is a short 10 minute drive from the Rotorua CBD.

Note further details on the event operation and rules will be sent out to all entrants around the Thursday before the event.  Keep an eye out for these.

EVENTS
  • Foot 3 Hour
  • Foot 6 Hour 
  • Mountain Bike (MTB) 3 Hour     
  • Mountain Bike (MTB) 6 hour

Team classes in each event:
  • Open Men
  • Open Women
  • Open Mixed
  • Family - All team members living at same address, kids are still at school and at least one parent/caregiver from the family in the team.  Available for 3 Hour only.
  • Juniors - All members under 20 on event day
  • E-Bike - Any sex or age combination when 1 or more people in the team rides an e-bike (MTB Events only)

All teams must consist of 2 to 4 people.  

ENTRY AND FEES

​Entries for this event have now closed.  Come early to registration if you want to secure an on-the-day entry.  Late entry fees will be charged.

Entry Fees Per Person 
  • 3 Hour (MTB or Foot) -    Adult $60,    Under 20 $30,    Under 12 $10.
  • ​6 Hour (MTB or Foot) -    Adult $80,    Under 20 $45,    Under 12 $15.
  • Orienteering club member discount $10 person.

Team SIAC Hire - $5 per team.  

If you have your own SI card (dibber) please check it can store more than 30 controls.

Each team will receive two maps per team and the entry fee includes pizza at the finish.

Other Fees and Charges
  • On the day entry fees - $20 per competitor, apart from under 12s.
  • Entry amendment after entries close - $10 per team.  
  • No refunds will be given after entries close. 
  • In past years a significant number of team changes have been requested before and after entries have closed.  We encourage you to enter carefully.
  • If you lose one of the SPORTident Air Cards you will need to pay $120 to replace.

OBOP will also donate $1 per entry to the Rotorua MTB Club First Response Unit and Rotorua Trails Trust.  When entering you also have the option to make an extra donation to these great organisations.

OBOP members - reserve free use of our mountain bike map boards - email [email protected].  First in, first served.  

Not a member?  It's not too late!  Check out the membership form and benefits here.

TIMETABLE
RULES, & HEALTH & SAFETY
Competitors are not permitted to ride or run with their dogs as we will be accessing some areas where dogs are not encouraged and we do not want to jeopardize our access permissions.

It can be beautiful, cold and/or wet at this time of year in Rotorua.  The event will go ahead unless the forest is closed for safety reasons.  All competitors and teams must carry the required compulsory gear.  Please dress and prepare for a great day regardless of the weather.

COMPULSORY GEAR LIST
All competitors and teams are required to carry:
  • Torch/headlamp with sufficient batteries (each individual)
  • Whistle (each individual)
  • ​Waterpoof jacket (each individual)
  • Hat and gloves (each individual)
  • Spare thermal top - wool or polypro (each individual)
  • Thermal long johns or tights (6hr foot only - each individual)
  • Race food and drink (each individual)
  • Bag to carry above (each individual) 
  • Mobile phone sealed in a waterproof bag (per team)
  • Compass (per team)
  • Space blanket/survival bag and first aid kit (6 Hour only - per team)
 
The organisers may be doing spot checks on gear, so please ensure you bring everything on this list.

​PRIZES
​There will be prizes for the category winners and some spot prizes.
​ 

PREVIOUS MAPS
To get an idea of the maps and symbols used, check out the 2022 GFR maps here:
2022 Foot Map sample
2022 MTB Map sample
​

PRE-EVENT COMPETITOR INFORMATION
More detailed information on the event operation and rules will be sent out to competitors a couple of days before event day.

If you are new to rogaining and/or have any questions or require any further information please contact [email protected] 
​​