Tarawera ultramarathon in shadow of the volcano

"I don’t think anyone will judge me if I tell them I signed up for an ultramarathon because the organisers announced there’d be a Devonshire tea at one of the aid stations. (If you don’t think tea and scones are a good idea halfway through an ultramarathon, I suggest you research the nearest medical facility you can visit for a brain scan.) 

After running around Green Lake and taking on a bit of road, we got to the Buried Village, which is just as amazing as the name makes it sound. This is also where the Devonshire tea was, 35km into the race. If you go to a pub quiz and the question is where in the world you’ll find the race director spreading jam and cream on your scones and offering you a cup of tea halfway through an ultramarathon, the answer is New Zealand.

I didn’t want to leave, but then I ran past waterfalls so incredible I didn’t even care about the steps I had to climb and, from there, past an aid station with boxes and boxes of hot pizza, on to the new Tarawera Trail to Hot Water beach, one of the most beautiful pieces of single track trail I’ve ever run. The whole time, even though everything was starting to hurt, I could not believe my luck." Vera Alves, The Guardian

This quote about the Tarawera Trail Marathon from Vera Alves summarises the specatular beauty of this event and the enjoyment of one of the participants.

The next big event to be hosted by the Tarawera region is the 7th Annual Tarawera Ultramarathon on 7 February, 2015.  Taking in four lakes, forests and waterfalls the 1,000 participants in this year’s race, including 300 international athletes, will be treated to some of the most stunning scenery in the country, as the course begins in the culturally rich town of Rotorua and ends along the picturesque Tarawera River in Kawerau, Bay of Plenty.

The spectacular course sees entrants race in the 100, 85 or 60km tracks that take them through natural landscapes and places of immense cultural significance to Maori. This significance is reflected in the elements of Maori culture that are woven into the race including a Powhiri welcome on a Marae, a karakia and waiata at the race start and specially carved trophies.

The 2015 Tarawera Ultramarathon race is record setting and sees the largest ultramarathon run in New Zealand’s history with the highest quality ultramarathon field ever assembled that includes many world-class runners. In addition, the Tarawera Ultramarathon, is race 2 of the Ultra trail tour and is a world-class event; a must-do for every runner looking to challenge themselves while taking in some of the most beautiful trails in the world.

The UltraTrail Story

The Tarawera Ultramarathon 100km is part of the 11-race global Ultra-Trail World Tour.

The Ultra-Trail World Tour is an international circuit that celebrates the diversity of the various trails, for example the steep paths in the California hills, the beaches of Hong Kong and the Moroccan desert.

The races’ various formats present participants with a real adaptability challenge, be it the North Face Lavaredo Ultra-Trail, the Tarawera 100km Ultramarathon or the Ultra-Trail Mont Fuji. Which ever track it happens to be participants will each need very different qualities to win, or simply to become a finisher in each of the unique events.

While the tracks themselves are fundamentally different, the Ultra-Trail World Tour races have common values of ethics, equality in sports, self-respect, respect for others and for the Environment. These values are at the core of the Ultra Trail World Tour and are proudly shared and promoted.

Taking part in the Ultra-Trail World Tour is the opportunity to discover cultural and sporting differences and to celebrate the diversity and beauty in each country visited. Every continent is included: Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania providing opportunities for entrants to enhance their sporting culture, create new friendships, and challenge themselves mentally, emotionally and physically.

Support – loud and proud

Support crews are most welcome at the Tarawera Ultra Marathon, they add to the atmosphere, especially those that dress up and cheer loudly. However, in terms of safety, do be aware of the hundreds of support vehicles driving and parking on narrow roads.

The Tarawera Ultramarathon is one of the most viewed endurance sports events in New Zealand and a large team of journalists, photographers and videographers from New Zealand, Australia, Europe, North America and Asia cover the event annually and will descend on the towns of Rotorua and Kawerau.

From the 2015 race onwards, a lot more of the Tarawera locations will be accessible by shuttle bus only, quite simply because the township of Okareka is too small to accommodate 1,000 plus cars and a single bus is able to remove multiple cars from the same road as the runners.

Be in the know - Best places to view runners from in Rotorua

You can view runners at the following locations:

• Start at the Rotorua Redwoods.

• Top of the water tank on Tarawera Road.

• Opposite the Black House on Tarawera Road.

• At the far-right of the carpark when you first arrive at Blue Lake. This is the Bus pick-up and drop-off point.

• Blue Lake Aid Station. This is the lookout between Blue and Green Lakes. Limited space for vehicles at this aid station.

• Blue Lake/Loop Road intersection. This is the Bus pick-up and drop-off point.

• Okareka Aid Station, for buses only and the first relay change over. You can only access this point via the bus from the Blue Lake pick-up and drop-off point. Pick-up: Blue Lake Reserve, Tarawera Road. Drop-off: Steep Street. 400 metre walk from Okareka Aid Station.

The end is in sight – Kawerau

The Tarawera Ultramarathon ends in Kawerau at various points dependent on the course – 100, 85, 60k. For more information on any aspect of the race including finish line location and bus schedules please visit the Tarawera UltraMarathon website for fuller details.

And scones... did I mention that my ultramarathon had scones? Vera Alves