Tarawera Ultramarathon climbs new heights
18 January 2014
It started six years ago with 67 runners from New Zealand and a single competitor from the USA. On March 15 2014 the 6th Vibram Tarawera Ultramarathon will have a field of over 850 runners from 26 countries, including some of the very best ultra-distance runners in the world.
The long distance running event from Rotorua to Kawerau is in one of New Zealand's most scenic regions, the appropriately named Bay of Plenty. And in 2014, it will be one of the races in the new Ultra-Trail World Tour - ten events in Europe, Africa, Asia, USA, Australia and New Zealand.
The Tour includes some of the biggest and most prestigious running events in the world. The inaugural tour kicks off with the Vibram Hong Kong 100K in mid-January. Race two is the North Face TransGrancaria in the Canary Islands on March 1 which marks the start of the European race season.
The tour is giving more runners in the international community a bucket list' of top races around the globe to experience and had an instant impact on the Tarawera Ultramarathon, race three on the world calendar. Among the 175 overseas entries this year, there is a big boost in runners from Australia, coupled with a many more from Hong Kong, China, France and the United States.
Support crews, friends, family, media, volunteers and spectators will add another 1500 to 2000 people. They are expected to boost Rotorua accommodation levels during race week and take the opportunity to experience everything a well-established tourist destination like Rotorua has to offer.
Ultra-Trail World Tour events will be broadcast on Eurosport TV, with over 120 million viewers in Europe and Asia.
The 2014 Vibram Tarawera Ultramarathon is on Saturday, March 15, from Rotorua to Kawerau. It includes running distances of 60, 85 or 100km. Along the way runners pass through exotic forestry, native bush, lakes, waterfalls and follow the river. Most of the run is on single-track trails or forestry roads, and runners can compete as a solo athlete or in a relay team.
More details about the race are available at www.taraweraultra.co.nz