| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | |
| H (°C) | 24 | 25 | 22 | 19 | 23 |
| L (°C) | 13 | 17 | 10 | 18 | 15 |
The start line at Te Piua is something pretty special. The destination is incredible, the community and people are even better. It was amazing to see the amount of volunteers … MORE
The start line at Te Piua is something pretty special. The destination is incredible, the community and people are even better. It was amazing to see the amount of volunteers out in the middle of the bush ready to help me out.
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The Tarawera Ultramarathon is a point-to-point destination race in the North Island, which starts in Rotorua (148 miles from Auckland) and ends in Kawerau. I heard about this race from … MORE
The Tarawera Ultramarathon is a point-to-point destination race in the North Island, which starts in Rotorua (148 miles from Auckland) and ends in Kawerau. I heard about this race from listening to Ultra Runner Podcast interviews. It’s very prestigious, being the second stage in the Ultra-Trail World Tour. And the videos I found online showed a spectacular course — with trails running through forests, and beside lakes and waterfalls!!!
It is summertime in New Zealand in February, with temps in the 50-75F range. On the day before the race, we attended a Powhiri Welcome at Te Puia — admission for TUM runners and family was free. In the afternoon, we picked up our bibs, dropped off our drop bags, attended a race briefing, and listened to a panel interview of elite athletes. I got to meet a few of them during these events.
The race started at 6am on Saturday. I started conservatively; by mile 20, I started feeling fatigued; the middle miles with the super technical trails and nonstop rollers pretty much sucked the life out of me; and I had to dig deep the last 25 miles just to get through it. I crossed the finish line after 1:30am. Kudos to the organizers and volunteers for staying so late until the very last runner crossed the finish line. After the race, we were given a beautiful wooden medallion.
The aid stations had plenty of food, much of which were familiar — bananas, apples, peaches, grapes, watermelons, oranges, potato chips, sweet snacks, and PB&J sandwiches. The aid stations were themed; the ones I saw at night had lights and music. All the volunteers were most helpful and encouraging.
This was my first 100K race, the longest distance I’ve ever run and, by far, the most difficult thing I’ve ever done, physically and mentally. It was hard being so far away from home and friends — I had no pacers, but I had my husband as my crew chief. I am so grateful for his steadfast support and belief in me.
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The best Trail journey I have ever run
The start line at Te Piua is something pretty special. The destination is incredible, the community and people are even better. It was amazing to see the amount of volunteers … MORE
The start line at Te Piua is something pretty special. The destination is incredible, the community and people are even better. It was amazing to see the amount of volunteers out in the middle of the bush ready to help me out.
My first 102KM race...in a foreign land
The Tarawera Ultramarathon is a point-to-point destination race in the North Island, which starts in Rotorua (148 miles from Auckland) and ends in Kawerau. I heard about this race from … MORE
The Tarawera Ultramarathon is a point-to-point destination race in the North Island, which starts in Rotorua (148 miles from Auckland) and ends in Kawerau. I heard about this race from listening to Ultra Runner Podcast interviews. It’s very prestigious, being the second stage in the Ultra-Trail World Tour. And the videos I found online showed a spectacular course — with trails running through forests, and beside lakes and waterfalls!!!
It is summertime in New Zealand in February, with temps in the 50-75F range. On the day before the race, we attended a Powhiri Welcome at Te Puia — admission for TUM runners and family was free. In the afternoon, we picked up our bibs, dropped off our drop bags, attended a race briefing, and listened to a panel interview of elite athletes. I got to meet a few of them during these events.
The race started at 6am on Saturday. I started conservatively; by mile 20, I started feeling fatigued; the middle miles with the super technical trails and nonstop rollers pretty much sucked the life out of me; and I had to dig deep the last 25 miles just to get through it. I crossed the finish line after 1:30am. Kudos to the organizers and volunteers for staying so late until the very last runner crossed the finish line. After the race, we were given a beautiful wooden medallion.
The aid stations had plenty of food, much of which were familiar — bananas, apples, peaches, grapes, watermelons, oranges, potato chips, sweet snacks, and PB&J sandwiches. The aid stations were themed; the ones I saw at night had lights and music. All the volunteers were most helpful and encouraging.
This was my first 100K race, the longest distance I’ve ever run and, by far, the most difficult thing I’ve ever done, physically and mentally. It was hard being so far away from home and friends — I had no pacers, but I had my husband as my crew chief. I am so grateful for his steadfast support and belief in me.