Double Rainbow Trail gets international recognition

Rainbow Mountain trail event now official qualifier for Ultra Trail Mont Blanc in France. Photo/Supplied

The Double Rainbow, set on Rainbow Mountain near Rotorua, has just become an official qualifier for the prestigious Ultra Trail Mont Blanc in France.

What started as a small grassroots trail event five years ago has now grown into an internationally recognised trail marathon, helping firm New Zealand's place as a top trail running destination worldwide.

Double Rainbow marathon runners will, as of this year, receive two points towards their UTMB qualification. They will also be awarded two points towards races supported by the International Trail Running Association (ITRA).

For Kiwi trail runners, this means more opportunities to gain points for these races at home rather than having to travel overseas to compete in other qualifying races.

The Double Rainbow Trail Run and Walk, taking place on June 9, features distances of 10km, 17km, 25km, or 42km races over and around Rainbow Mountain.

Double Rainbow event organiser Shaun Collins. Photo/Supplied

Those completing the marathon distance will climb to the summit four times in all for a gnarly race that will test the toughest of trail runners.

Event director Shaun Collins said they were thrilled to get this recognition for one of their key races in the annual calendar.

"We hope this gives Kiwi trail runners more options to gain those valuable points and compete in some of the most prestigious races in the world such as Ultra Trail Mont Blanc."

Adding to the existing distances, Double Rainbow will this year include a Kids Rainbow Dash 2km and 4.5km for under 7s.

"Our aim is to get as many Kiwis as we can outdoors and we find our shorter distances help us achieve that. Many people enter our shorter distances and then come back for the longer ones the following years, inspired by what they have achieved and watching the runners on the longer courses," Collins said.

The Double Rainbow course starts on a private farm, before joining the new mountain bike track around the base of Rainbow Mountain. This joins the existing track to the summit which offers amazing views, including the central North Island volcanoes.

The full course includes a fun mountain bike downhill trail and a piece of farmland through to the finish at Lake Okaro.