Jim Walmsley crosses the finish line. PHOTO/KURT MATTHEWS
Everyone knew about Jim Walmsley's incredible speed right off the mark, but with an average pace of 4 minute 20 second per kilometre in the 102km race, the 2017 Tarawera Ultramarathon winner blew everyone - and the record - away.
Finishing in a time of 07:23:32, and slashing 21 minutes off the previous record, the American said he made the most of the knowledge other runners would just let him go with his fast start strategy.
"But it was a hard way to run that race and I was alone most of the way," said Walmsley, who is also the 2016 UltraRunner of the Year.
"It was extremely hot, but beautiful out there. I really soaked it all in. I'm from the desert in Arizona so this is completely different from home. There were cicadas chirping all day, the tree canopy is so green out there, I wish I'd dunked in some rivers.
"I wanted to start the year with a bang so to come out here and win a round of the Ultra Trail World Tour is a great start. I don't think there has been a better field at the Tarawera Ultra than this year, and it's going to be hard to beat that field anywhere in the world this year.
"My favourite part of the day - apart from the finish line - was the sponges at the aid stations. The aid stations were on point and the volunteers were great. Glorious weather, lots of running fans, it's a really well put together race."
Second place went to 2016 Tarawera Ultramarathon champion, Jonas Buud from Sweden, in a time of 8:01:11. He said he struggled with the hot conditions and a leg problem, but was satisfied with second place on the back of a terrible finish to the 2015 season.
Kiwi Sam McCutcheon, from Wellington, completed the podium, finishing in a time of 8:12:37. McCutcheon said it was a tough race, but a great day and course.
In the women's 102km race, tackling the race for the first time, Camille Herron (USA) took the finish line honours, and also broke the Tarawera Ultramarathon women's record by more than six minutes in the process, coming through in 08:56:01.
Herron was followed by Magdalena Boulet (USA) in 09:20:15 and Hamilton-based Cecilia Flori (Italy) in 9:21:44.
Herron said the 102km event was simply a "wonderful day".
"I really enjoyed the beauty of it all. The course had lots of technical sections which were extremely 'runnable', as well as lots of ups and downs which really played to my strengths as a runner."
Herron said despite the fact that the course suited her strengths, she still had to draw on her mental perseverance to embrace all of the highs and lows of the ultramarathon.
However, the real secret to her success might have been the three beers she had in the last section of the race.
"Having beer in a race really gives me clarity and a push to the finish line. It really helped!"
Second place getter, Magdalena Boulet said the 20 kilometres between 70km and 90km was a particularly tough stretch, but she hung on to (third placed) Flori, who she thanked for helping get her to the second place.
Meanwhile, coming third was a completely unexpected result for Cecilia Flori, who struggled to find the words to describe her finish. She said her last 10km was quite fast, as she continued to keep Boulet in her sights.
Race results:
Tarawera Ultramarathon 102km Results:
Men: Jim Walmsley (USA) 7:23:32 1, Jonas Buud (Sweden) 8:01:58 2, Sam McCutcheon (NZ) 08:12:35 3, David Byrne (Australia) 8:19:56 4, Gediminas Grinius (Lithuania) 08:23:16 5.
Women: Camille Herron (USA) 08:56:00 1, Magdalena Boulet (USA) 09:20:13 2, Cecelia Flori (Italy) 09:21:42 3, Kellie Emmerson (Australia) 09:42:03 4, Fiona Hayvice (NZ)