When the organising team found out last minute that a couple of large groups of volunteers had pulled out, they needed to find at least another 100.
Image 1 of 10: Trackside spectators show their support.
Mutu "couldn't believe" the response.
"Rotorua just did it. We ended up with more than 150 coming onboard, giving a total of 450. That's Rotorua to a tee. We have great people who just make stuff happen."
Tak Mutu, Crankworx organiser. Photo / File
Event director Ariki Tibble said the volunteers and new management had delivered a standard he could not commend enough.
"It's absolutely ridiculous what they've done... we've asked a lot and they've given a lot," he said.
Event director Ariki Tibble at the Skyline Rotorua Crankworx site. Photo / File
Harina Rupapera was leading the waste management team for the first time and was already looking forward to coming back to the "high-energy" event again.
"Most people have been very conscious and understanding of the setting, and open to learning about recycling if they didn't know much."
Meanwhile, in the medical tent, Peak Safety operations manager Mike Robertson said there had been no gory injuries, but plenty of slumped heads.
Mike Robertson (front) with (from left) Jason Foster, Erin Eggleston, Budgie Woods and Barbara Jenks, Rotorua Mountain Bike Club first responders. Photo / File
"They [the athletes] have been training really hard to get to where they are now for the start of the season," Robertson said.
One of those struck with bad luck was Rotorua's John Richardson, 19, who injured his shoulder in a crash that broke his handlebar during Saturday's training run.
"You only get one go so you have to go fast," he said.
Rotorua mountain biker John Richardson in the medical tent on Saturday. Photo / Cira Olivier
Peak Safety director Budgie Woods has helped with the onsite medical centre every year and said there were slightly fewer injuries this time.
He said most were either wrist, shoulder or head injuries.
Glenholme resident, Alex Smith, has gone to the Rotorua event every year.
