Ultramarathon: Napier runner smashes time

Ruby Muir, of Napier, wins the women's section of the the Tarawera Ultramarathon on Saturday.

Records have tumbled at the Tarawera Ultramarathon following brilliant races from champions Dylan Bowman and Ruby Muir.

Bowman, from California, won the 100km race between Rotorua and Kawerau in a time of 7h 44m 58s on Saturday.

That time was about 45 minutes quicker than the previous record set by former Tarawera Ultramarathon, and Rotorua Marathon, champion Sam Wreford in 2011.

Muir, of Napier, also added her name to the history books, winning the women's 100km race in a little more than nine hours.

A former winner, she shaved more than an hour off the old record.

Conditions were near perfect for racing on Saturday and the elite field was the strongest it has been in the seven-year history of the event.

More than 1100 runners competed across three distances - 100km, 85km and 60km - for teams and individuals.

The ultramarathon was the second stop on the 11-race Ultra-Trail World Tour.

Muir had a tight battle with fellow Kiwi Ruth Croft.

After leading for most of the race, Croft caught up with Muir with about 10km to go.

"I thought it was over. I was feeling pretty low at that point but when she came parallel with me I thought 'this is not happening' and went for it."

Muir found renewed energy to pull away for a win.

"I have never felt that before. I did a lot of road running in my training and I think that helped a lot."

Muir finished 12 minutes ahead of Croft with world champion Nuria Picas-Albets, of Spain, finishing in third, 38 minutes back from the winner.

Bowman rated the win the best of his career.

"It is my first international race that went well and this is a very high-profile event so I really wanted to have a strong performance," he said.

"It helps establish myself on the international scene and this is my life, so when something goes well like this it is very satisfying."

Bowman was back on the finish line 16 minutes after winning the race to greet his good friend Jorge Maravilla, who finished second.

The pair are from the same city in California, Mill Valley, and train together. "He is one of my best buds," Bowman said.

Bowman said he took the lead about 40km into the race and decided to try and break away. He was never caught after the move. "I just caught the leader and at that point you have to commit." Japan's Yoshikazu Hara finished third, 27 minutes behind the winner.