The 2026 race will take you, in teams of 2 or 4 mixed or single gender, across a brand new course in the South Wairarapa region. You will cover around 30-50 km in a time of between (approximately) 5-8 hours, yes it's a long time but it's worth it!
The course will include mountain biking, hiking, a water activity, navigation, team building and some surprise (potentially grubby or wet, but normally quirky and funny) activities along the way. One map per team will be provided at the start line 15 mins prior to the start. Navigation is by good old map and compass.
You will complete the race (hopefully) by passing through checkpoints (CP) and transition areas (TA) where you will prepare for a change of discipline, re-fuel for the next stage and continue on to the finish line for a nice cold beer and a fantastic feed! What more could you ask for on a day out?
Check out the table below for our pricing from March 2026 @8am until entries close on 3rd November 2026 at 3 pm, unless sold out prior.
Your hard earned dosh gets you an awesome and exhausting days adventure, your very own Big Bang 2026 t-shirt, a meal ticket for the yummy finish line BBQ, and a great night's sleep.
Please note, merchandise orders close on 17th October at midnight. Any team entering after this date will not get a BBA t-shirt as part of their entry and can no longer order additional merchandise items.
College teams get one flat rate from start to finish, $450, until the 20 team places are full. After this, college teams will pay $600. For more details on the college division please check out the College Team page.
(To help keep this fee soooo low for college teams, we took out the t-shirt but don't panic, you can buy one when you enter. To qualify for the college team division all 4 team members MUST attend college or school, proof may be required)
ENTRY FEE
MEAL TICKETS
Extra meal tickets for support crew, friends and family can be purchased with your entry for only $25.
New location = new caterers. Expect some rural hospitality for 2026!!
PLEASE NOTE meal tickets are not available on race day.
COMPULSORY KIT
Food and water plus all compulsory gear required (See the Kit List) must be carried with you at all times during the race. Your gear will be checked at registration so please bring it with you (you won't need to bring your bike).
You are taking the kit to support your own safety, as most if it is there for use in an emergency, make sure you are prepared! To keep things fair, you may have your gear checked during the race too!!
SUPPORT CREW
For Big Bang 2026 your team WILL require a support crew. More details to come. But in the meantime, make sure you order them a meal voucher when you enter.
Please note - We will be mostly on private farm land and there are ABSOLUTELY NO DOGS ALLOWED.
RACE REGISTRATION
We offer two race registrations, you and your team must attend one of them! You will be asked to select either Johnsonville (Wellington) or Martinborough registration when you enter online.
WELLINGTON
Wednesday 4th November Johnsonville Bowling Club. Directions are here.
Registrations between 6-8 pm, the briefing will be held at 8 pm sharp.
Bring your whole team, at least 1 member of your support crew plus all your compulsory kit (except you bike) and we will see you there.
Free bowling is available while you wait so bring an extra pair of flat shoes and give it a go!
It's worth noting that the support crew notes to get to the start line will NOT be handed out at the registration, they will be emailed to the team captain around lunch time on Friday 5th November to ensure no one gets a head start!
MARTINBOROUGH
Friday 6th November Martinborough Rugby Club. Regent Street. Directions are here
Registrations between 5-7 pm, the briefing will be held at 7 pm sharp.
Bring your whole team, at least 1 member of your support crew plus all your compulsory kit (except you bike) and we will see you there.
Tortoise or Hare?
We will have 4 colour coded self seeded start times. Please consider if you and your team are a tortoise or hare. You will be asked to select this when you enter.
Tortoise waves
RED - 7.30am start
YELLOW - 8 am start
For the more social adventure racers who may have an aversion to running and perhaps should practice their navigation skills a bit more.
Hare waves
GREEN - 8.30am start
BLUE - 9am start
For the teams that want to smash it out and run, run, run, all day (or definitely some of it)
(Please note, we may move some teams around if the majority of teams select one option, but never fear, we won't go home without you)
RACE DAY TIMETABLE
Race registration (as above) in Wellington or Martinborough.
SATURDAY 7th NOVEMBER - RACE DAY
RED 07.15 maps. 0730 start.
YELLOW 07.45 maps. 0800 start.
GREEN 08.15 maps. 0830 start.
BLUE 08.45 maps. 0900 start.
Maps and course notes will be given out to team captains ONLY for both teams and support crews. You will have approximately 15 minutes to view the map before the start of the race.
16.00 (APPROX OR WHEN THE FINAL TEAM ARRIVES) Results and prize giving.
Hang around to cheer the competitors on in the final stages of the race. The BBQ will be available from approx. 13.30 onward. This is a great time to wear your new fancy Big Bang T-shirt with pride.