12 Feb 2024

National mountain bike event moved to Picton due to fire risk

8:07 pm on 12 February 2024
The Wither Hills Farm Park has been closed since January 10th until further notice due to high fire risk. Samantha Gee.

The Wither Hills Farm Park has been closed since 10 January 10 until further notice due to high fire risk. Photo: RNZ / Samantha Gee

A national mountain bike event due to take place in Blenheim this weekend has been moved to Picton due to fire risk.

Round four of the Mountain Bike New Zealand National Cross Country Series 2024 will now be held in the Victoria Domain in Picton this Sunday, as Blenheim's Wither Hills Mountain Bike Park where the race was due to take place, remains closed due to fire risk.

Event organisers said due to ongoing extreme dry weather and the current code purple fire risk, the Marlborough Mountain Bike Club worked to find an alternative location for the event.

The Wither Hills Farm Park, which includes the mountain bike park, was closed to the public in early January due to high fire risk.

Marlborough District Council parks and open spaces officer Kiri Whiteman said the change of venue was a great opportunity to showcase Picton.

Several walking and biking tracks in and around Victoria Domain will close to the public from 7am to 5pm for the event on Sunday.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs