Waikari Classic – Bruce Dawe Memorial
Saturday, 12 December 2026
Waikari Hall
99 Princes Street
Canterbury's heritage handicap road race — 100km over a 33km loop through North Canterbury, finishing with a sprint into Waikari. Fast, honest, old-school racing with a big prize pool and a field limited to 120 riders.
The Waikari Classic — Bruce Dawe Memorial is Canterbury's heritage handicap road race, bringing old-school cycling back to the back-blocks of North Canterbury. Riders tackle 100km over three laps of a 33km loop, one solid climb per lap, and a town-centre sprint finish into Waikari. With over $2,000 in prize money up for grabs and a field capped at 120 riders, it's fast, honest, and seriously good fun.
Information correct as at: 25 August 2026
Additional Information
Waikari Classic — The Course
Classic Hurunui country: big skies, grippy chip seal, and nowhere to hide. The 100km route covers three 33km laps, each combining smooth rolling backroads, one decent climb to sting the legs, and a fast, flowing run back into town — with roughly 513m of total elevation over sealed rural roads.
Each lap starts with rollers, so settle in and keep your turns tidy. Then comes the climb — a proper split-maker where you either commit or watch taillights disappear. From there, it's a fast, exposed return run, ideal for organised bunches or brave solo moves, before the finish: a fun, flat-out blast through the middle of Waikari where holding your line and timing your kick matters most.
Tactically, the flats reward smooth, aero riding with tidy rotating turns, while the rollers and Summer Hill are where the race splits apart. Watch for the 2.5% drag — if you're on the rivet there, you're not alone — before the final 500m sprint that feels a lot longer than it looks.
- Pricing Information Entry is $55, with an early bird rate of $39 available until 1 December — get in early to save.
