Races
Taupo
New Zealand, October. 100 km on 75% trail. +16,736 ft of climbing. 17 hours cutoff.
- Start1,073 ft
- High2,018 ft
- Low1,073 ft
- Finish1,076 ft
- New Zealand at mile 0.0
- Taupo mile 13 at mile 13, cutoff 3.4000000000000004 hours
- Taupo mile 26 at mile 26, cutoff 6.800000000000001 hours
- Taupo mile 40 at mile 40, cutoff 10.2 hours
- Taupo mile 53 at mile 53, cutoff 13.600000000000001 hours
- Finish New Zealand at mile 66, cutoff 17 hours
Geometrycourse math
The cruxHeat, bush tracks, and steep coastal or alpine climbs (near mile 40)
Course DNA
The Course
Taupo runs 100 km through New Zealand. +16,736 ft gain and -16,732 ft loss. Surfaces skew 75% trail / 20% dirt road / 5% paved. Heat, bush tracks, and steep coastal or alpine climbs. High point near 2,021 ft. Low near 1,050 ft. October temps run 45°F to 90°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 31.
The Work
Train for 16,736 feet of climbing across 100 km. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 17 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 40.
Kit
October in New Zealand: plan for 45°F to 90°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 17 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 16. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 75% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 31.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 16. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 31. Heat, bush tracks, and steep coastal or alpine climbs near mile 40 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 21 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
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