I'll address the most common questions on this page. Here's more info. about the Tarawera Ultra.

On course: readiness | training | race day | transport

readiness

The most common question I get from potential entrants is "I do not know if I can do this" To which I usually answer, "that's the whole point". This is not designed to be an event that you know with certainly you can finish. It is designed to be an adventure that will push many of you to run further than you have before.

If you have completed a marathon previously, you are well on track to finish any distance of the Tarawera Ultra. If you have successfully completed an event like the Kepler Challenge, Heaphy Five-O, Molesworth Ultra., a full Ironman Triathlon, Coast to Coast or Lake to Lighthouse Adventure Races, the 100km ultra-distance is well within your grasp. You'll still have to train diligently though.

If you have completed a half Ironman or any of the trail running Triple Crown Series (Toi's Challenge, The Great Kauri Run of The Goat Adventure Race), in the previous year, you are well on your way to tackle the 60km, 80km or possibly even the 100km distances, depending on your fitness level.

if you have a history of tramping in the hills and have strong legs and endurance, you should be able to complete any of the ultra. distances, even with little running background.

Sometimes you just need to throw caution to the wind and do it.

training and training runs

The next most common questions are on how to train, to which I have some answers on trail running, ultramarathons and ultra marathon resources.

Specifically, for this event.

All sections of the course are on public land which you may access at any time. Please be aware, the Tarawera Forest is a commercial forest and you'll need a permit to enter. This permit is available from the Kawerau Information Centre.

Here are some training runs I have done on the course and recommend:

Follow the Black Track on this map to the far side of the Blue Lake then lop around the lake and follow the black route back home to the Redwoods Visitors centre. This black track run to the far side of the Blue Lake and the loop around the lake follows the Tarawera Ultra. route exactly.

Miller Road to Lake Okataina and back. This run can be done from the opposite direction. Start at the start of the Western Okataina Walkway and run all the way to Lake Okataina (Okataina Lodge area) and back again. This will give you some decent hills. The track is lightly traveled to expect to be out on your own for most of the day. The water in the creeks is OK to drink.

Similarly, two other great runs are Tarawera Falls to Okataina Lodge-return or Tarawera Outlet to Okataina Lodge return.

In the Tarawera Forest, there are many nice runs from the finish-line area at Firmin Field, past the golf course and along River Road in the Tarawera Forest.

If you have someone to pick you up, three good one-way runs include:
1. The start to the Okataina Outdoor Education Centre (Chris Morrissey did this one last year).
2. The Okataina Outdoor Education Centre to Tarawera Falls.
3. The Tarawera Outlet to Kawerau (lots of runners from the Whakatane Harriers did this last year).
4. Please do not run on the new 80k or the 10 course outside of race day. There are commercial logging operations and hunters in the forest at this time of year. Doing so will put you in danger and imperil the futre of this event.

the race

Lighting
The race starts at 7am. Under the Redwoods its quite dark at this hour - even though the sun has just risen. Headlamps are optional. We'll have someone collect them from you at the water tank (about 5km in).

Some competitors, especially for the 100k may finish in the dark. Headlamps should be placed in your drop bags at the Titoki and/or Awaroa Aid Stations.

Shoes
Trail shoes are certainly recommended for the Western and Eastern Okataina Tracks and for the Northern Tarawera Track. Much of the remainder can be completed in road shoes. remember you have drop bags and crew access so you can change shoes if you wish.

Carrying Water?
It is recommended (although not compulsory) to carry water between aid stations. The longest stretch is between the Miller Road Aid Station and Okataina. You will need water here.

Compulsory Gear
There are no compulsory gear requirements. Just be sensible. You should be used to long runs on trails. The aid stations will be well stocked, you'll have the chance to place drop bags along the course and pacers are allowed.

transport

Marie Moncur from KiwiFeet Tramping will be shuttling pacers from the finish-line to their drop off point at the Tarawera Outlet.

Marie will also transport finishers of the 60km run back to the finish-line.

We will also have volunteers to shuttle you from he finish-line to the Kawerau hotpools (even though its only a 2km walk).

Back to Rotorua A bus will leave the Kawerau hotpools at around 9PM to take all athletes who need transport back to Rotorua (details and cost yet to be finalised).

Please feel free to get in touch if you are looking for any training tips, travel plans or just want to talk about a great run you have just had.

Cheers, PC