The location of the Ruapehu Ring of Fire ultra-marathon in the dual world heritage Tongariro National Park combines both challenge and beauty.
Competitors in the Ultra Trail Australia event in the Blue Mountains near Sydney over the weekend have shown keen interest in being part of the inaugural Ruapehu Ring of Fire Volcanic Relay, Solo Ultra and Marathon scheduled for next year.
Ruapehu Ring of Fire organiser Nick Reader said that they
had specifically targeted competitors and supporters taking part in Ultra Trail Australia as they share the same competitive, environmental and cultural values that are central to the Ruapehu Ring of Fire.
"The Blue Mountains where Ultra Trail Australia was held is a world heritage area just like the Tongariro National Park, which will host the Ruapehu Ring of Fire on Saturday, April 7 next year," Reader said.
"We were very happy, but not overly surprised, at the level of excitement shown by both competitors and supporters at Ultra Trail Australia at the idea of coming over to NZ to take part in the inaugural Ruapehu Ring of Fire next year," he said.
"The Ruapehu Ring of Fire ticks all the boxes for ultra-marathon competitors and their supporters. The location of the event itself in a dual world heritage national park combining spectacular alpine terrain and scenery, respect for cultural and environmental values, and a race that will challenge competitors physically, mentally and physically.
