this is old news from 2009/10, it might be interesting though...
New 80 & 100k Course The 80 & 100km runners (plus Leg 4 relay runners) will have a new course to run on (almost the entire section from the falls to Whio Road has been removed. Distances are posted. Read a description, view the map or see photos for the new 80/100k route plus photos of the Puhi Puhi diversion (100k only)
Pacing: New pacer options for the 80 & 100k. You can now have two pacers - they will switch-off at the Titoki Aid Station. Need a pacer or want to pace? There is a new pacers page. You might also like to send pacer request to the facebook group.
New photos: of the the Tokorangi Pa Road section of the course. This is right near the start.
New maps with driving instructions for crew and spectators.
New Video of trail running below the Tarawera Falls (along the river near the aid station).
Chip timing Active Timing NZ will provide all runners with timing chips and will be the official timer for the Tarawera Ultra.
Distances A measuring wheel was used to plot every twist and turn course (thanks Owen). The advertised "55k" is officially 59.8km The advertised "80k" is officially 83.4km. See more info. here and course description
Current entrants The list of starters is now online.
Jane Manthorpe from Christchurch is using the Tarawera Ultra. to help raise funds for Oxfam (good on you Jane!). To help out, you can visit her fundraising page here
Direct flights now from Sydney
Hassle-free travel for Australian athletes
| Direct flights from Sydney to Rotorua start this week and continue through to race day. It's an easy 10-minute drive from the airport to the registration/race start. Rotorua is world-renowned for its outdoor adventure, Maori culture and geothermal attractions. |  |
Generous 2010 discount at Zombie Runner
Runners, check your email for the new early bird Zombie Runner discount code. Expires end of Nov. ZombieRunner was started by two California ultra runners.
Visit ZombieRunner.com to find the best stuff for runners, and anyone who loves the outdoors. Don and Gillian (left) are ultrarunners and co-owners of ZR. Between them, they have completed over 250 marathons and ultras, including the Western States 100, Badwater, 24-hour races and multi-day runs. Zombie Runner describes the physical and mental state achieved around 2 am when you have been running for the previous 20-hours.
Tribute to the Trails Calendar - giveaway.
The Tarawera Ultra. will be giving away one calendar a month (from Oct. through Jan.) to lucky entrants in the Tarawera Ultra. Seattle-based ultra-runner and photographer Glenn Tachiyama has produced his latest Tribute to the Trails calendar featuring trail runners in spectacular places. The photos are both stunning and inspiring.
I caught up with Edwina (pictured at left) from Pathway 2 Health at the Kawerau Hotpools and asked her to pick a name out of the hat. October's winner is Carla D. from Wellington. Congratulations Carla!
Tackling the Great Kauri Run
Toi's Challenge: New Zealand's most beautiful trail run
Royal Madness - once again, the King of the Mountain takes no prisoners
Competing in the 2009 XTERRA Trail Running National Championships
Jo and Paul run the new Moreangi Track on opening day
Paul competes in the prestigious Western States 100-mile run
“Kia ora” welcome to Rotorua
Visitors to Rotorua come a from all over the world, and in 2010 a few of them will be here for one incredibly long and adventurous day. Fortunately, our good friend Manu, representing the iwi of Ngati Tarawhai has promised to share the knowledge of his people about the area you will be running over. We are proud to have Manu join us again and look forward to sharing this experience with runners coming from all over New Zealand as well as the UK, Hong Kong, Australia and the USA.
New years day walk
Newly posted: Some ridiculously scenic photos of a New Years Day hike from the Tarawera Falls to Humphries Bay and back again. The photos cover the 43-60km section of the Tarawera Ultra course - in bare feet! I had three swims along the way - at Humphries Bay, in the Tarawera Swimming hole and in the swimming hole below the Falls Carpark (where I picked some watercress for dinner).
New Course Maps!
There's a new race map showing the Elevation Profile, Running Surface, Aid Stations, Relay Change-Over Points and km markers. The 3D aerial oblique map shows the type of terrain you'll be covering as part of this adventure. Thanks to Roger Smith and the Team at Geographx for the maps.
Meet... Lake Okareka
And such a pretty wee lake too. There are four lakes you'll run around or along as part of this event, one of them is Lake Okareka (at left). You'll run along the foreshore to the second Aid Station (and first relay change-over) which is on the beach at the lower left. Lake Tarawera (and mountain) is in the background.
Phoenix promotes good health
The Tarawera ultra. is happy to welcome Phoenix Health Centre in Whakatane as part of the 2009 event. Phoenix Health Centre is a well established family health practice, in a centrally located purpose-built modern, attractive clinic. They have five experienced general practitioners, including one of NZ's best known ultra-marathoners - Dr. Jo Petersen (pictured at left). Phoenix Health Centre will be offering some health prizes to competitors as well as providing volunteer support on race day.
The start location for the Tarawera Ultramarathon, Rotorua, captures the best of New Zealand all in one place! Whether seeking to experience Maori culture, geothermal earth forces, spa rejuvenation, thrills and adventure, or any of the other natural assets like 16 lakes, some of the world's best mountain biking trails, fantastic trout fishing and a myriad of forest walking tracks – Rotorua delivers it all. We are delighted to have the support of this world-renowned location behind the event. Can you feel the spirit?
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
