Ultra fun run opens up 8km trail past geyser

Raimona Peni, the operations manager at the New Zealand Arts and Crafts Institute, is running in the Tarawera Ultramarathon, which will have its free fun run going through Te Puia on Thursday. Photo/Supplied

Runners travelling to Rotorua for the Tarawera Ultramarathon will be able to run past the famous Pohutu Geyser on a pre-race fun run.

The annual fun run is free and open to all, including race competitors, friends and family.

This year the run will go through Te Puia and the Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, past the Pohutu Geyser. This is the first time the area has been opened up for the annual fun run.

It takes place on Thursday and is an 8km easy trail.

Te Puia chief executive Tim Cossar said the visitor attraction was thrilled to be involved in the Tarawera Ultramarathon, one of only 10 ultra-races included in the Ultra-trail World Tour.

"The Tarawera Ultramarathon has attracted nearly 900 entries from 28 countries around the world and New Zealand.

Through the run we can showcase our unique and beautiful landscape and help celebrate entrants' achievements in the lead up to the main event.

"I would encourage entrants and supporters to bring a camera - this is a unique opportunity to experience some amazing trails and geothermal activity."

Entrants will run on a single one-way track along the ponga-lined Puarenga Stream track, the Hemo Gorge track and into Te Puia, where runners will see geysers, steam vents, hot lakes and bubbling mud pools in Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley.

Among those running will be the New Zealand Arts and Crafts Institute's new operations manager Raimona Peni, who is taking part in the ultra.

He leaves New Zealand two days after the run for Malaysia to lead the institute's kapa haka group and tell the story of the taiaha.

Runners assemble at the Holiday Inn on Tryon St at 5.15pm on Thursday, with a free bus leaving at 5.30pm to take entrants to the start.

Te Puia will also host the official Tarawera Ultramarathon race welcome on Friday in Te Aronui-a-Rua Wharenui (meeting house) on Rotowhio Marae.

The Vibram Tarawera Ultramarathon on Saturday is a 100km, 85km or 60km run from Rotorua to Kawerau.