Races
Tarawera
One hundred miles of Rotorua forest. Rolling pine singletrack. WSER stones for finishers under cutoff.
100 mi+7,314 ft-7,397 ft36 hours478 ft to 2,311 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race bookRotoruaWSER qualifierFebruaryRunning Stones · 4 stones
Distance100 mi
Gain+7,314 ft
Loss-7,397 ft
Altitude478 ft to 2,311 ft
Technicality5/10
Air50°F to 85°F
- Start1,018 ft
- High2,311 ft
- Low478 ft
- Finish934 ft
Geometryderived
Steepest drop682 ft-6.1% over 2.1 mi
Night miles36 misunset near 19:00 local
The cruxBack-half forest loops with sleep debt on rolling terrain (near mile 65)
Course DNA
The Course
Tarawera runs 100 mi through Rotorua, New Zealand. +7,314 ft gain and -7,397 ft loss. Surfaces skew 80% forest trail / 15% road / 5% beach. Back-half forest loops with sleep debt on rolling terrain. High point near 2,311 ft. Low near 478 ft. February temps run 50°F to 85°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 50.
The Work
Train for 7,314 feet of climbing across 100 mi. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 36 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 65.
Kit
February in Rotorua, New Zealand: plan for 50°F to 85°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 36 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 25. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 80% forest trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 50.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 25. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 50. Back-half forest loops with sleep debt on rolling terrain near mile 65 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 33 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Tarawera finish lines.
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Sources (1)
- Qualifier: utmb_stones: https://utmb.world/utmb-world-series