Rider information · Sunday 18 October 2026

Read your race manual.

Mandatory group briefing: be on the start line 5 minutes before your own start time.

Groups start between 08:30 and 09:30. Check your group’s published start time.

Prize giving at Springfield Hotel starts shortly after the first 20–30 riders finish; later finishers can join afterward.

Return your bib at the summit finish. If you miss the collection, return it at Springfield Hotel.

Download rider manual PDF ↓

PRINGLE HOMES MAIN DIVIDE CLASSIC

Big country.
Proper racing.
A summit finish.

Sunday 18 October 2026

The Main Divide has a new course and a fresh challenge. Roll out from Springfield, climb Porters Pass, race through Canterbury’s spectacular high country past Castle Hill, then turn for home and a finish at the top of the pass.

Enter the race Explore the course

115 KM*Approximately

SPRINGFIELDThe start

PORTERS PASSThe summit finish

Presented by

Handicap bunches. Plenty to race for.

01 A fresh challenge

A new route.
More reasons to line up.

Getting to a race should be the easy part.

We’ve redesigned the Main Divide to simplify the logistics and reduce the cost and complexity of returning from Arthur’s Pass. The new course brings the finish much closer to Springfield, making the day more practical for riders and supporters.

At approximately 115 km, it’s slightly longer than the previous course. You’ll still get the climbs, the high-country roads and a proper day of racing, with a summit finish to settle any unfinished business.

Scenery worth looking at, if your bunch gives you a moment.

02 The course

Out through the high country.
Back for the summit.

Main Divide course map showing the route from Springfield through Castle Hill and the high country. — Explore the course from Springfield into the high country. View the interactive route ↗

01 / OUTBOUND

Springfield to Porters Pass

Around 16 km of riding takes you from Springfield to the start of the Porters Pass climb. Find your rhythm, work with your bunch and keep something in reserve. The mountains arrive early.

02 / HIGH COUNTRY

Beyond Castle Hill

Over the pass, the race opens into sweeping high-country scenery and rolling roads. Head past Castle Hill towards the turnaround at approximately 63 km. There’s plenty of racing between the postcard views.

03 / SUMMIT FINISH

Turn for the finish

Turn back towards Porters Pass and tackle familiar terrain from the other direction. The final climb brings you to the finish at the top of the pass, where every place is earned.

View the interactive route

03 The handicap

Find your bunch.
Make your race.

The Main Divide is a handicapped road race. Riders start in bunches based on ability, with earlier groups setting off ahead of the faster riders.

Work together, pace the climbs and make the most of your head start. Behind you, the chase is on.

Whether you’re chasing overall honours, the fastest time or a strong ride within your bunch, there’s a race here to get stuck into.

Find your mark and enter

04 The rewards

More to race for.

The revised prize structure recognises performances across the field:

First over the line
Fastest overall time
Fastest woman
First junior
Smaller placing prizes within each starting bunch

The first rider home and the rider with the fastest elapsed time may be different people. That’s part of what makes handicap racing worth watching, and worth entering.

Full prize details and eligibility will be published on the Prizes page.

See the prizes

05 Race day

Come prepared for
a proper alpine race.

This is a demanding ride on open public roads.

You’ll need the fitness for approximately 115 km of hilly racing, confidence riding in a bunch and descending, and enough food, drink and clothing for a day in the high country.

All riders must obey road rules, stay left and follow the event briefing and race instructions.

Canterbury’s mountains don’t read the forecast. Bring the extra layer.

Read the race-day information

06 Our partners

Backed by people
who back cycling.

Pringle Homes helps bring this race to the Canterbury cycling community. We’re grateful for their support, alongside our event partners and the volunteers who make race day possible.

When you support the businesses behind local racing, you help keep events like this on the calendar.