Triathlon
TriathlonNew Zealand
IRONMAN New Zealand
Taupō, Bay of Plenty·Date to be confirmed
The southern hemisphere's oldest IRONMAN, raced on the shores of Lake Taupō.
RunningNew Zealand
Tarawera Ultra-Trail
Rotorua, Bay of Plenty·Date to be confirmed·Miler (161 km) / 102 km / 50 km / Marathon (42 km) / 21 km
Col de Sud is an independent coaching and information platform. Event details may change. Always confirm dates, entry requirements and course information with the official event organiser.
Quick Information
At a glance.
Location
📍 Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Usually Held
🗓 Mid February
2026 Event Date
Date to be confirmed
Distances
Miler (161 km) · 102 km · 50 km · Marathon (42 km) · 21 km
Course Type
Trail
Difficulty
Advanced
Entries
Date to be confirmed
Official Website
Last Updated
November 2025
Countdown
Race date to be confirmed
Preparing for this event?
Recommended plan: 24 Week Ultra Trail Build.
- ✔First ultra
- ✔50–100km trail runners
- ✔Miler goal
Overview
The event.
Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB is New Zealand's flagship ultra-distance trail event and part of the global UTMB World Series. Set around Rotorua's Whakarewarewa forest and the Te Arawa lakes, the course winds through ancient redwood forest, past geothermal steam vents, along blue lake edges and over volcanic ridgelines. Distance options range from a 21km taste to the full 161km Miler, giving runners a way in at every level of experience.
International trail community, Māori-led welcome, and a start line beneath the Rotorua steam. Nights on the trail for the longer distances are a formative experience.
Who it suitsTrail runners at every level from first-time 21km entrants to seasoned 100-mile veterans.
Distances
Miler (161 km)
102 km
50 km
Marathon (42 km)
21 km
Course Breakdown
The route.
- Course profile
- Rolling with steady climbs. Around 2,000m of climbing for the marathon, 3,500m+ for the 102km, 5,000m+ for the Miler.
- Surface
- Singletrack, forestry road, boardwalk over geothermal sections.
- Elevation
- To be confirmed
- Aid stations
- Every 8–15km depending on distance.
- Expected conditions
- Late-summer humid — 12–24°C with possible thunderstorms.
Difficulty Snapshot
Col de Sud assessment.
Endurance
Climbing
Technical
Weather exposure
Beginner suitability
General Col de Sud assessment — not an official event rating.
Typical Conditions
What to expect.
- Temperature
- 12–24°C
- Humidity
- High
- Wind
- Light
- Rain likelihood
- Possible thunderstorms
- Water temperature
- TBC
- Altitude
- TBC
How to Train
Preparing your body.
Recommended preparation
20–24 weeks with a strong vertical, back-to-back and hiking emphasis.
Long sessions
Peak long runs 5–8 hours with 1,000–1,800m of climbing.
Strength training
Twice-weekly strength — quads, calves, core.
Recovery
Structured down weeks every 3–4 weeks.
Course-specific prep
Practise humid running and night running for the longer distances.
Nutrition practice
Rehearse solid food and electrolyte for humid conditions.
Equipment testing
Test lighting, pack, poles and shoes on real long runs.
Key weekly sessions
- — Long trail run
- — Back-to-back long weekends
- — Threshold on rolling trail
- — Strength
- — Recovery hike
Race Weekend Guide
Plan your trip.
Travel
Fly to Rotorua (ROT) or Auckland (AKL) and drive 3 hours south.
Accommodation
Book Rotorua accommodation early — thermal hotels are runner favourites.
Packet collection
Multi-day festival at the Rotorua event village.
Parking
Ample parking at the start venue.
Public transport
Shuttle buses run between finish, aid stations and Rotorua CBD.
Weather
Warm and humid — cooling strategies are essential.
What to pack
Mandatory kit including waterproof jacket, headtorch, first-aid, food, water.
Nutrition
Test real food alongside gels — 8+ hour days need variety.
Recovery
Polynesian Spa geothermal pools — a Tarawera post-race tradition.
Local cafés
Third Place Café or Scope Coffee in Rotorua.
After the race
Stay for Waimangu geothermal valley, Whakarewarewa Māori village, and mountain biking in the Redwoods.
Frequently Asked
Questions we hear.
Is Tarawera Ultra-Trail a UTMB event?+
Yes — Tarawera is part of the UTMB World Series and offers Running Stones for UTMB qualification.
What distance should a first ultra runner choose?+
The 21km or Marathon (42km) distances are excellent introductions to trail racing. The 50km is the entry ultra distance.
How technical is the course?+
Moderately technical — mostly runnable singletrack with a few rooted or rocky sections.
When is Tarawera?+
Mid February each year.
What weather should I expect?+
Warm and humid — 12–24°C with possible thunderstorms and high humidity.
Col de Sud Coaching
Train for your next mountain.
Preparing for this event? Col de Sud can help you build a realistic plan around your fitness, experience, work and family commitments.
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Last details checked: November 2025