850 runners for Saturday’s Ultramarathon
850 runners for Saturday's Ultramarathon
13 March 2014
Just before dawn on Saturday [15 March] a record field of 850 runners from 28 countries line up at the start of the international 2014 Vibram Tarawera Ultramarathon, under the giant Redwoods in Rotorua's Whakarewarewa Forest.
Ultra distance endurance running is one of the world's toughest sports. It's a physical, mental and emotional challenge. And it's not just the distances, like the 100 kilometre trek from Rotorua to Kawerau at this weekend's Ultramarathon. They face another serious challenge. Rain. The forecast is for lots of it.
For the leading athletes, like defending champion Sage Canaday from the USA and Kiwi contender Vajin Armstrong, it's about dancing down rocky, technical single track at three hour marathon pace - for a distance that is two and a half marathons long.
For the weekend warriors', it's about facing up to the challenge and beating it.
For all the runners, it's high risk and demanding.
One section in the Kawerau Forest isn't called the 'Loop of Despair' for nothing.
Kerry Suter is one of New Zealand's most experienced ultra-endurance runners. He won the inaugural Tarawera Ultramarathon in 2009 when it was only' 85 kilometres. He followed this up by winning the second race in 2010 at the full century distance. Suter has his own take on the forecast for the weekend.
Wet weather on race day is a good thing, he explains. You won't get dehydrated or overheat. You can throw away the stopwatch; no one is expecting you to run a fast time. You own a thousand pairs of knobbly trail shoes. Finally, that matters.
And, most importantly, no one can see your tears.
For more information visit www.taraweraultra.co.nz