Date
Sun, 18 Apr 2027
Venue
Omakau Racecourse, Race Course Road, Omakau, Central Otago
Omakau, Central Otago District
Countdown
April
One lap of the same flat-ish gravel circuit, with under 300 m of climbing. The short course is a quick, competitive hit, not a grind.
Key facts
01Race licence affiliated with Cycling New Zealand was needed in 2026
02Unlicensed riders could apply for or arrange a series licence in 2026
03Mass shotgun start in 2026, so be ready for a fast opening
Create a free training plan for the The Matakanui Express 50 km
7-day free trial, no card required
The course
The route
Omakau
Distance50km
StartElevation
0 kmDrag map to rotate48.6 km
Weather
Mid-April, Omakau
13°CTypical high
3°CTypical low
-5°CColdest in 20 years
48%Days with rain
Highs around 13°C and lows around 3°C, but it has dropped to -5°C. Rain on 48% of days. Pack for the cold end, not the average.
NASA POWER data, 2006-2025, the week either side of race day
Results
Course verified. Results not yet available.
Organiser
Training
Training for the The Matakanui Express 50 km
We don't do generic plans. We combine deep knowledge of this race's demands with your recent training, then build a plan with you that progresses as you do.
Beina integrates directly with your existing tools to understand your current fitness, and synchronise your planned sessions.
Intervals.icuWhat a The Matakanui Express 50 km plan targets
Typical sessions
50 km
Endurance and fatigue resistance over the full distance
Fuelling and pacing for the whole event
What your weeks look like
Typical sessions
Long endurance rides building toward the full distance
Threshold and sweet-spot work for sustained power
Group rides for drafting and bunch-riding skills
Not a generic schedule
Typical sessions
Built from your current fitness and the time you actually have
Adapts every week as Beina learns how you respond
Syncs your sessions straight to Garmin and Wahoo
One clear next session, never a wall of spreadsheet
Entries open now
Get your The Matakanui Express 50 km plan.
7-day free trial, no card required.
More events in April in New Zealand
Porirua Grand TraverseExpected Early April 2027 · Porirua→Raetihi GutbusterSat, 10 Apr 2027 · Raetihi→Kaukau Skyline TraverseExpected Mid April 2027 · Wellington→The Hits Waitomo Trail RunExpected Mid April 2027 · Hangatiki→Glen Oroua Graded Road RaceExpected Mid April 2027 · Glen Oroua→Faultline UltraExpected Late April 2027 · Paekākāriki→
