The Karapoti Classic is New Zealand's longest-running annual mountain bike event, started in 1986 by Paul Kennett. The full course is 50km long and starts in Karapoti Park, Akatarawa, in Upper Hutt, and heads up the 8 km Karapoti Gorge. From there it begins a single 30 km loop in the native and pine forest of the Akatarawa Ranges. The 1986 Karapoti was New Zealand's first national mountain bike race and was self declared the National Off-Road Championships. The event was managed by the Kennett Bros until 2002. It is held on the first Saturday of March every year.