One thousand runners from over 35 countries will accept the ultimate trail running challenge as entries open for the 2017 Tarawera Ultramarathon on Wednesday.
Heading into its ninth annual event on February 11 2017, the Tarawera Ultra has become a non-negotiable event in trail running calendars after being added to the Ultra-Trail World Tour in 2014 - a series of the 12 most prestigious ultra-running races in the world.
The 2016 event sold out in just three months and left 400 runners on the waiting list.
Event organiser Paul Charteris said runners would have to get in quick to avoid disappointment.
"We're expecting this years' influx of entries to be the fastest yet so athletes need to commit to the challenge now to ensure they're one of the 1000 runners who will take part," he said.
"We're estimating that the international contingency will make up over 40 per cent of the field in 2017 which is a reflection of how esteemed the event has become. More than 200 runners will venture across the Tasman with major growth seen in China, Taiwan, and Singapore."
Mr Charteris said it was hugely exciting to have such a large number of international participants in particular those that returned year on year.
"We've worked tirelessly over the past nine years to create a world-class event in Rotorua. For everyday trail runners to be able to compete alongside the worlds best right in their own backyard is what we believe makes the event so special," he said.
The Tarawera Ultra is a 102km point-to-point course from Rotorua to Kawerau journeying through New Zealand's best kept secrets and sites of immense Maori cultural significance.
Along the way, athletes will capture views of four lakes as well as breath-taking waterfalls and crystal-clear streams.
The event also features a 62km solo race, an 87km solo race, and a two or four person 87km relay.
Entries open 11am Wednesday June 1 at www.taraweraultra.co.nz/enter. For more information, head online or check out the Facebook page.
