Athletics: Volunteers make this race extra special

Not being able to compete is not stopping Rotorua lawyer Mark Copeland from being involved in the fifth annual Vibram Tarawera Ultra Marathon. Time restraints have put a halt on the intensive training required for the 60, 85 or 100km trail-running event, but he is still immersed as a sponsor and volunteer.

"It's an absolutely brilliant event and I'm really looking forward to being part of it. To be able to watch ordinary people, the 'Joe Averages', achieve their goals is really special and worth every dollar," Mr Copeland said.

"In addition, the quality of the field this year is unsurpassed, especially with the 100 or so international runners from 20 different countries that will race."

With a lifetime of mountain and trail running behind him, including a 100km mountain run in Colorado, Copeland is well-versed in the complexities of running an event such as the Tarawera Ultra.

The race, on March 16, takes participants on a scenic route through native bush, exotic forests, and along lakes and rivers from Rotorua to Kawerau. Athletes can enter as individuals or as part of a two- or four-person relay team, all starting off at 6.30am and some finishing just before midnight.

The event has grown exponentially since its inception in 2009, with 67 entrants and a handful of volunteers and supporters, to a full capacity starter-list of 430, more than 1000 supporters and a large international athlete and media contingent this year.

Race director Paul Charteris said local volunteers and sponsors, like Copeland, were critical to the success of the event.

"I'm sponsoring a four-person relay team and will be a 'floater' on the day to assist Paul with whatever needs to be done," Copeland said.

Copeland aims to one day complete the 100km Tarawera solo event himself. "I did one leg in a relay team in 2011 and loved it, but I'm just not fit enough to run this event at the moment," he said.

"I could probably walk and run it, but would rather do it properly at some time in the future and in the meantime, I'll help wherever and whenever I can."

Close to 100 volunteers lined up to assist with such tasks as clearing tracks, marshalling, maintaining radio communications and co-ordinating and running aid stations.

In fact, the volunteer-led aid stations have become an event highlight, as much for their hospitality as for their offerings. Volunteer aid station hosts dedicate themselves to encouraging the athletes and ensuring they are well stocked to run a race of this magnitude.

Set up throughout the course, the aid stations carry a veritable feast for runners, including sports drinks, lollies, chippies, electrolytes, watermelons, freshly-made Nutella sandwiches and more than 250 litres of Coca-Cola - known as "black gold" by long-distance athletes.

Other sponsors include Allied Industrial Engineering, Kajavala Forestry, Kawerau District Council, Rotorua District Council, Abracadabra Caf and Bar, Phoenix Health Centre, Pak 'N Save Rotorua, Polynesian Spa and Croucher Brewing Co and Holiday Inn Rotorua.