Tarawera Ultramarathon key messages
Top key messages:
1. The Tarawera Ultra traces a spectacular 100km point-to-point course from
Rotorua to Kawerau in the Western Bay of Plenty for a trail running event like no
other.
2. Passing though locations of immense Māori cultural significance, the Tarawera
Ultra explores New Zealand’s indigenous culture and showcases our history on
our national day – Waitangi Day, February 6.
3. The Tarawera Ultra is New Zealand’s largest and most esteemed ultramarathon
and is part of the Ultra-Trail World Tour - a series of the 12 most prestigious ultrarunning races in the world.
4. A journey of New Zealand’s best kept secrets, Tarawera Ultra race participants
capture views of four beautiful lakes as well as breath-taking waterfalls and
crystal-clear streams.
5. The Tarawera Ultra is not just a race, it’s a whole week experience where events
and gatherings forge lifelong friendships and unforgettable moments.
6. A field of over 1000 athletes will hit the trails, including over 400 international
athletes and 19 of the world’s most elite trail runners.
7. Elite athletes to keep an eye out for are current 100km world champ, Jonas Buud
(SWE), David Byrne (AUS) and Vajin Armstrong (NZ), Heather Anderson (USA),
Ruby Muir (NZ) and Fiona Hayvice (NZ)
8. Make your own adventure and become part of the spectacle that is the Tarawera
Ultra.
9. Spread the vibe, fuel our tribe and achieve something extraordinary in the
Tarawera Ultra.
10. 2610 metres vertical gain, 2910 metres vertical loss, 100 kilometres of relentless
power and extraordinary achievement.
Race detail messages
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Presenting athletes with their ultimate challenge, the stunning trails from Rotorua
to Kawerau will put skills to the test while also pushing physical and mental
strength to the limit.
The Tarawera Ultra is made up of a variety of terrains to challenge every runner,
including low elevation single track, wide forest trails, narrow and wide forestry
roads, sealed roads, gentle hills, short steep hills, flat sections and very few
stairs.
Starting at the Redwoods Forest, runners make their way past the Blue Lake, on
to Lake Okareka and then to the Western Okataina Walkway. Making their way to
the Eastern Okataina Track, over the saddle between Okataina and Lake
Tarawera, runners arrive at the Tarawera Falls track – one of the best walking
trails in New Zealand. Coming out on to a deserted forestry road, runners then
follow the river, finally finishing on Puhi Puhi Road, Kawerau.
Aspirational messages
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Make your own adventure and become part of the spectacle that is the Tarawera
Ultra.
Spread the vibe, fuel our tribe and achieve something extraordinary in the
Tarawera Ultra.
As the Tarawera tribe, we’re sharing something extraordinary.
After 100km of sweat and tears, every medal awarded to athletes is never given
but rather earned.
Trail running is all about freedom, adventure, being in the outdoors and sharing
time with friends.
Run the trail of your life and become part of something extraordinary.
Unleash yourself, show us what you’re made of and give it everything.
Cultural messages
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At the start line, traditional Māori performers ignite fire in the belly and get the
skin tingling with a kapa haka performance to bid athletes farewell and good luck.
In the traditional style of the people of the local Te Arawa tribe, athletes, friends
and family will be welcomed on to the marae (meeting house), for an authentic
Māori experience.
Trail running has a long history in the Rotorua region and the Tarawera Ultra
walks in the footsteps of our Māori ancestors. Legend tells of the fastest and
fittest Māori tribe members who were tasked with the duty of protecting the tribe’s
land. Running the perimeter of their land for hours on end, the tribe members
would be on the lookout for footsteps of intruders and would only stop to pray at
certain sacred locations.
Race week activities
Date
Wednesday February 3
Time
5.30-8pm
Thursday February 4
11.30am –
3pm
4.45pm
registration
5.30pm start
7.15pm
Te Puia steambox hangi
dinner
8.30am
Official race welcome at
Te Puia
Friday February 5
12pm – 7pm
Event expo
12pm –
12.45pm
12.45 –
1.30pm
1.30 –
2.15pm
2 – 7pm
Race briefing #1
2.15 – 3pm
Heather “Anish” Hikes
3 – 3.35pm
Race briefing #2
4 – 6pm
Trails in motion film
festival
Race briefing #3
6 – 6.35pm
Saturday February 6
Sunday February 7
Event
The race directors
barbecue
Scenic boat cruise on
Lake Tarawera
The great geyser
rogaine run
6am
11am –
12.30pm
1.30 –
3.30pm
Elite athlete Q&A
Dr Marty Hoffman
Race registration
Race day
Prize giving
FIFTY the movie world
premier screening
Location
467 Paradise Valley
Road
The Landing, Lake
Tarawera
Southern carpark, Te
Puia
Te Puia
Te Puia
Holiday Inn – Pohutu
Cultural Theatre
Holiday Inn – Te Puna
Aroha Room
Holiday Inn – Te Puna
Aroha Room
Holiday Inn – Te Puna
Aroha Room
Holiday Inn – Pohutu
Cultural Theatre
Holiday Inn – Te Puna
Aroha Room
Holiday Inn – Te Puna
Aroha Room
Holiday Inn – Te Puna
Aroha Room
Holiday Inn – Te Puna
Aroha Room
The Redwoods
Holiday Inn – Pohutu
Cultural Theatre
Holiday Inn – Pohutu
Cultural Theatre