Such was the interest in the event after its launch last year, organisers from Hunter Christian School elected to run a two-day format this year to separate primary and secondary-age students.

Students from government, catholic and independent schools competed in the championships, which also doubled as a national series event and attracted riders from interstate.

Heavy rain in the lead-up to the event forced volunteers to provide a modified course, but it allowed for a fun, fast and flowy track.

Both days had three age-category races and a school team event. Primary students raced in either under-nine, under-11 or under-13 age groups. Secondary students were in under 15s, 17s or 19s.

Best of the Hunter riders included Macquarie College's Owen Tooley, who won the under-17 mens; Maitland High's Camryn Moores, who won the under-13 boys; New Lambton Public School's Harper Nelmes, who won the under-11 boys; and Redhead Public School's Maddie Lloyd, who won the under-nine girls.

Merewether Heights Public School featured twice on the primary-age podium with the school's riders boosted by local advantage and having dozens of their peers cheering them on.

The school's Louis Stibbard finished second in the under-19 men's race behind national champion Nick Chisholm of Tamworth.

Hunter Christian School's Jason English said the championships had become so popular organisers were considering hosting a second event, possibly at Singleton later this year.

"Last year we had 230 entrants," he said. "To really give everyone a fair go at it, we wanted to break it into a primary and a secondary [day]. We did that and attracted an extra 100 kids."

A host of Hunter under-18 rugby players have been selected for NSW after winning the 2019 NSW Junior State Championships last week.

NSW Junior Rugby Union announced two under-18 state sides on Sunday.

Jacklin Andrews, Logan Badger, Charlie Bennett, Liam Dalibozek, Thomas McPhee, Sam Parkinson and Timothy Ryan were selected in the first side. Nic Benn and Fossie Bradford were named in the second side.

Both sides will play matches against a combined boys' schools team before the two sides are narrowed to one. That side become part of the GEN BLUE Academy and will go on tour to Perth to play against the West Australian Force Academy team later this year.

They may also play matches against Queensland and the ACT in September.

Hunter defeated Eastwood 20-6 in the final of the state championships last weekend.