Racers rise to the Tarawera challenge

Te Puia cultural group Maurioho performs a haka at the start of the Tarawera Trail Marathon and 50km race. Photo / Stephen Parker

The inaugural Tarawera Trial Marathon and 50km race has drawn high praise, with nearly 200 people taking part.

Saturday's event had competitors from throughout the country and overseas run or walk on tracks past steaming geysers, through the Whakarewarewa forest and weaving through historic sites unique to Rotorua.

Organiser Paul Charteris said the event ran "brilliantly".

"It was just outstanding. It was a first-time event on a brand-new course. We had 195 who started and they were from up and down the country and quite a few from overseas," he said.

"We printed flags [of where they came from] and there were flags from all over the world."

The event started at Te Puia passed through the Buried Village and finished at Hot Water Beach. The 50km runners were able to enjoy the views of Woodstock Farm while Devonshire tea was served at the Buried Village.

"So many runners have said this was the single best run they've done in their whole life. There hasn't just been high praise - it's been over the top," Mr Charteris said.

"[The atmosphere at the start] was incredible. It was a really misty morning, and the cultural group from Te Puia gave a haka to challenge all the runners. It was very powerful and moving. So many of them said the course was amazing with really special routes through the forest where no one has been before.

"The jam and cream scones were a phenomenal hit. We made a huge pot of tea and I'd say half the runners came in and had some."

Runner Vajin Armstrong travelled from Christchurch to take part in the 50km race.

"I'm lucky I've got to travel and do races all over the world, but this was special, especially the start. It's a once-in-a-lifetime setting in Te Puia. In the morning it was an amazing landscape with steam rising all around," he said. "Then to have the challenge that was so impressive, a unique Rotorua and New Zealand experience. The challenge set the whole scene for the race to go beyond our limitations. It was a very stirring start."

Mr Charteris thanked land owners and trusts for their support as part of the course was held on private land.