Scenic stage for stamina test

Up for a challenge?

The Tarawera Ultra Marathon is on Saturday, and runners can choose the 60km, 85km or 100km options through bush, lakes and rivers.

Beginning at the Redwoods in Rotorua, the Tarawera Ultra follows single trails and forestry roads through native bush areas and around lakes Okataina and Tarawera before ending in Kawerau.

Only about 10 per cent of the event is on sealed roads.

About 300 keen runners from New Zealand, Australia, Japan, the United States and Canada have put their names forward to take part in one of the three races, either racing alone or in a team.

Event organiser Paul Charteris said the record for the 100km race was set at eight hours and 33 minutes and there was a group of "four or five guys" running this year who had the potential to beat that time.

He said most runners would complete the longest race in around 12 hours.

"It is officially going to be the most competitive ultra marathon in New Zealand history, we're breaking new grounds here in ultra craziness."

Mr Charteris said some of the top runners in the world would be running in the event and this was the first time such an event in New Zealand would be attracting so much international attention.

The difference between an ultra marathon and a regular marathon is primarily the distance, with a regular marathon set at a standard 42km.

However, Mr Charteris said this race was also difficult in many places.

"It is difficult around Tarawera and Okataina, but it is incredibly scenic."

There will be 13 aid stations set up along the 100km of track for runners to pick up food and drinks, as well as five points where a runner can leave a bag full of gear such as clothing, a change of socks, hats or a change of shoes.

Entries close today. To enter go to www.taraweraultra.co.nz.

Email: sonya.bateson@dailypost.co.nz