Devonshire tea for marathon runners

Devonshire teas will be served to runners in the inaugural Tarawera Marathon and 50km. PHOTO/GRAEME MURRAY

Scones, jam and cream with a cuppa will be served at the Buried Village for runners and walkers taking part in the Tarawera Trail Marathon and 50km race.

Part of a tradition dating back in the late 1800s, tourists used to visit Te Wairoa village on the way to see the Pink and White Terraces on Lake Rotomahana and have Devonshire tea.

Marathon organiser Paul Charteris said the race will follow in the pioneering tourists' footsteps.

"It's all very decadent - we certainly cannot find another marathon event in the world offering runners such delicious treats during a race."

The Devonshire tea will be served at the Buried Village checkpoint.

General manager of Buried Village, Pam McGrath said runner will past several of the excavated sites.

"Although [they] won't have time to check them out they may get a feel for what happened in the village on that fateful night [Mt Tarawera erupted]."

After passing through the excavated site of the village, competitors will head down the waterfall track below Wairere falls before emerging along the Te Wairoa stream track and on to the new Tarawera Trail. The trail takes them to their journey's end at Hot Water Beach.

Devonshire teas will be available for supporters to purchase and enjoy while they wait for their friends or family to complete the event.

The Tarawera Trail Marathon and 50km race starts at Pohutu Geyser in Te Puia, Rotorua and finishes at Hot Water Beach on Lake Tarawera.

Entries to the inaugural Tarawera Trail Marathon are available at www.taraweramarathon.co.nz