Photo credit : Nicholas George Photography, Digby Shaw, Henry Jaine and Dillan Gerschwitz.

26th September 2026

Exciting new course options, categories, sponsors , prizes, and a massively upgraded descent!

Racers click to register here

Put the dates in your diaries, The Coppermine race is back for another round with a view to growing the race massively over the next few years.

We will START/FINISH location at the Maitai Recreation Hub next to the golf course. This awesome space will mean supporters can utilise the pump track while they wait for racers to complete, and Gravity’s Airbag will be there too!.

The Coppermine Mountain Bike Event weaves through some of Nelson's best back country trails and traverses, the spectacular Coppermine Mineral Belt and Dun Mountain. The Coppermine course is a stunning loop of the Dun Mountain Trail all the way to the mineral belt at the Coppermine saddle, where this unique event takes its name from. The newly refurbished descent into the Miaitai Valley will be super fast and timed!

Coppermine 2026


The Coppermine Mountain Bike Event weaves through some of Nelson's best back country trails and traverses, the spectacular Coppermine Mineral Belt and Dun Mountain. The Coppermine course is a stunning loop of the Dun Mountain Trail all the way to the mineral belt at the Coppermine saddle, where this unique event takes its name from. The newly refurbished descent into the Miaitai Valley will be super fast and timed!
 

Categories:

Acoustic (Pedal Power) Male/Female- 

Coppermine Classic
Under 19
Senior (19-29)
Masters (30-39)
Veterans (40-49)
Legends (50+)

Double Coppermine
Under 19
Open (19+)

Coppermine E Bike
Open (All ages)

Coppermine Classic Fastest Overall Male and Female titles

Add your name to the block of wood of 2026 as the fastest overall (across all age groups) male/ female

Double Coppermine title

The fastest double- copperminer's name will be added to the trophy (across all categories)

Fastest Overall Descent title

The fatest overall descent title will be back for 2026. That's across all categories including E bikes! Riders still need to ride the whole course and finish to be eligible. 

Ebike Category

The first event in New Zealand to offer this category. It races over the Coppermine Course.  Love them or hate them, ebikes are here and will test a different set of skills for riders. Check the Event Information for the ebike criteria

Get Training
  

Watch the video below for a sneak preview of the treat you are in for!

Nelson's epic mountain bike race.

To see results from the previous Coppermine events, Click here

 

 

Event brought to you by