The eighth annual K2 cycling race was held in Coromandel on Saturday.
Competitors left Whitianga at 7.45am and the last riders were expected through the township of Coromandel three hours later.
The leaders were due in Thames at about 10.30am, to head over the Kopu Hikuai Hill to Tairua.
There were also hundreds of cyclists in other sections.
Riders from New Zealand, Australia, the United States and Europe took part.
Last year's event was marred by a serious crash.
