"Every year you should challenge yourself to do something that scares you."
This is the mentality of Rotorua's Tim Day - the race director for next weekend's Tarawera Trail Marathon & 50km which will see participants run or walk from Te Puia's Pohutu geyser to Tikitapu (Blue Lake).
One of New Zealand's most scenic and culturally rich marathons is only in its third year but has already attracted significant national and international attention.
And for the first time the event will also offer shorter 16km and 23km distances for the Tikitapu Trail Run on November 12.
Day, 45, described the unique event as "a symbolic journey" and said for many of the runners the event would be "one of their biggest life achievements".
"What's so special is athletes get to take a journey through essentially what was the birth place of tourism in New Zealand," he said.
"There was a lot of bloodshed, death and displacement for people in the area after the Tarawera eruption and so the trail for many people offers up a symbolic journey.
"It is an emotional route and I hope runners connect with their environment and take in the powerful message of the run.
"And for many people this will be the biggest thing they have done in their life - it may be the most significant thing they have achieved and I hope many go on to achieve a lot more."
THEY'RE OFF: The start of the Tarawera Trail Marathon and 50km event at Te Puia last year. PHOTO/FILE.
There are still entry places up for grabs with 151 spots left for the Trail Marathon & 50km, while 876 entries spots are available for the shorter distances.
"I really do believe that every year you should challenge yourself to do something that scares you," Day said.
"And this event certainly does that. Many may still be on the fence about entering but it's important for people to remember the ethos is not on winning the race or how long it takes.
"We have very generous cut-off points for participants and there are also shorter distances and a walking event which helps get over the scary factor.
"This could open up a whole new lease of life for people and the whole spirit of the event is based on community and support."
So far 1473 participants have signed up across all distances. Ten per cent of the field is international with 23 countries represented, including the US, Malaysia and Australia.
Day, an experienced trail runner who moved to Rotorua 14 years ago, had plenty of advice to offer runners on the day.
"For beginners on the longer distances I would certainly say don't spend too much energy early on," he said.
