Tarawera Ultra-Trail
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Quick Information
At a glance.
Location
Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Event Date
2027-02-13
Distances
Miler (161 km) · 102 km · 50 km · Marathon (42 km) · 21 km
Entry Status
TBC
Official Website
Countdown
24 weeks until race day
Overview
The event.
Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB is New Zealand's flagship ultra-distance trail event and part of the global UTMB World Series. Set around Rotorua's Whakarewarewa forest and the Te Arawa lakes, the course winds through ancient redwood forest, past geothermal steam vents, along blue lake edges and over volcanic ridgelines. Distance options range from a 21km taste to the full 161km Miler, giving runners a way in at every level of experience.
International trail community, Māori-led welcome, and a start line beneath the Rotorua steam. Nights on the trail for the longer distances are a formative experience.
Who it suitsTrail runners at every level from first-time 21km entrants to seasoned 100-mile veterans.
Course Breakdown
The route.
- Course profile
- Rolling with steady climbs. Around 2,000m of climbing for the marathon, 3,500m+ for the 102km, 5,000m+ for the Miler.
- Surface
- Singletrack, forestry road, boardwalk over geothermal sections.
- Aid stations
- Every 8–15km depending on distance.
Training Preparation
How long should you train?
A realistic runway to prepare well for Tarawera Ultra-Trail, based on where you're starting from.
Every athlete is different. These timelines are intended as a guide only and depend on your current fitness, previous experience, lifestyle and goals.
Philippe's Coaching Perspective
What I'd focus on.
Tarawera Ultra-Trail rewards patience. The runners who go out at goal pace from kilometre one almost always pay for it in the final third. Start conservative, build into it, and race the second half.
The most under-trained element I see is long-run pacing discipline. Long runs shouldn't be a weekly time-trial. They're where you teach your body to burn fuel efficiently and stay smooth when tired.
In the final six to eight weeks, race-specific work matters more than volume. If you're arriving under-recovered, you're arriving under-prepared.
— Philippe, Col de Sud
Is This Event Right For You?
An honest look.
This event is ideal if you
- ✓You enjoy the challenge of a well-organised running event
- ✓You're prepared to train consistently for several months
- ✓You enjoy Bay of Plenty-style terrain and conditions
- ✓You're looking for a meaningful, memorable challenge rather than a casual outing
You may prefer another event if
- •Your goals are focused on a different distance or discipline
- •You're looking for a shorter, lower-commitment first event
- •You haven't yet built the aerobic base this event demands
Col de Sud Assessment
A quick impression.
- Overall Difficulty
- Terrain
- Technical Skill
- Beginner Friendly
- Scenic Experience
General Col de Sud assessment. Not an official event rating.
Frequently Asked
Questions we hear.
Is Tarawera Ultra-Trail a UTMB event?+
Yes — Tarawera is part of the UTMB World Series and offers Running Stones for UTMB qualification.
What distance should a first ultra runner choose?+
The 21km or Marathon (42km) distances are excellent introductions to trail racing. The 50km is the entry ultra distance.
How technical is the course?+
Moderately technical — mostly runnable singletrack with a few rooted or rocky sections.
When is Tarawera?+
Mid February each year.
What weather should I expect?+
Warm and humid — 12–24°C with possible thunderstorms and high humidity.
Col de Sud Coaching
Your journey starts here.
Every athlete starts somewhere.
Whether you're preparing for your first event, chasing a personal best or simply wondering if this challenge is right for you, the most important question isn't "Can I do it?"
It's "How much time should I give myself to do it well?"
There's no one-size-fits-all answer. Your ideal preparation depends on your experience, fitness, lifestyle and goals.
If you'd like help creating a realistic training plan for this event, I'd be happy to talk it through with you.
Continue Reading
Keep exploring.
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