How to Train for Tarawera
Tarawera Event Summary
Key Event Details:
• Location: Rotorua, New Zealand
• Timing: Typically held annually in mid-February
• Hub: Village Green, downtown Rotorua
• Safety: Strict mandatory gear checks apply (see below)Â
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TUM Miler
Distance: 163km
Elevation: +3600m
Cutoff: 36hrsÂ
Ideal for: Experienced ultra-runners who have completed TUM102 or other +100km events and are looking to challenge themselves
TUM102
Distance: 102km
Elevation: +2300m
Cutoff: 30hrs
Ideal for: Experienced ultra-runners who have completed TUM50 or other 50km or 100km events
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TUM50
Distance: 52km
Elevation: +1150m
Cutoff: 14hrsÂ
Ideal for: Newer or experienced runners who have completed TUM21, a marathon or other 50km events and looking for a challenge or their first ultra!
TUM21
Distance: 23km
Elevation: +400m
Cutoff: 7hrs
Ideal for: Newer runners who have completed a half-marathon or a few shorter trail races
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TUM14
Distance: 14km
Elevation: +160m
Cutoff: 4hrsÂ
Ideal for: New runners or juniors looking for their first trail event
Why we love Tarawera!
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As Aussies, we wont compare Tarawera to UTA - but it's pretty dang close! The mountain views are replaced by stunning lakes and forests, and the atmosphere and sense of community is just as strong. It's also a little more accommodating to all runners due to the easier and more runnable terrain. If you're a Kiwi and havent been there - what are you doing!?!? If you're an Aussie considering heading over, hit that register button now! ​
Training Tips for Tarawera
Our coaches top training tips for TUM events!
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1. Continuous running​
Tarawera DOES have hills and most people will spend time hiking, but you'll also spend a LOT of time running. Hours of continuous running places a lot of extra strain on your muscles and its important to get them used to it. So don't spend all your time hiking in the mountains (as much as thats fun!) and make sure to do some of your long runs on runnable terrain.
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2. Gut training
Nutrition is no more or less important at Tarawera than any other race. But due to the terrain you'll spend more of the race at a higher intensity, which makes it harder for you stomach to absorb nutrition. Therefore you really need to make sure you've trained your gut to take in your planned race nutrition at similar intensities.
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3. Fatigue resistance is important (again)!​
This is kinda related to Point 1, but if you want to be able to continue running at a decent pace at the back end of the race, you'll need to work on your fatigue resistance?
How? Strength training, fast downhill running and long runs with some intensity can all help those quads last a bit longer!
Essential Gear for Tarawera
Mandatory Gear:
This is easier to say than do, but skimping out on your mandatory gear for the cheapest you can find is not a good approach!
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The purpose of mandatory gear is to keep you safe when things go wrong. Having gear that wont keep you dry and warm when you need it really is pointless.Â
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Cheaper gear is also usually going to be thicker and heavier, taking up more space and adding more weight to your pack.
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For TUM, we recommend spending a little extra on the following mandatory gear items:
• Waterproof Jacket - we recommend minimum 10k/10k waterproof and breathability ratings and one that can pack down into a small bundle inside its own hood or pocket.
• Headlamp - If you're going to be running for more than 3hrs in the dark, a good headlamp is essential! You want something that's going to last and light up the trail enough that you dont end up on your face. For that reason we recommend the Fenix HM65R - it's lightweight, comfortable and will last all night! Â
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If you're looking for examples of each type of gear, The Trail Co. have a great website with a few examples of each:
Women's UTA Mandatory Gear — Official Gear Check | The Trail Co.
Race Day Tips for Tarawera
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1. HAVE A RACE PLAN!​
Tarawera has less frequent aid stations than some other big races, and therefore you need to be prepared. How much nutrition and hydration will you need to get from Okataina to Millar? It doesn't need to be exact but it shouldn't be a guess!Â
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The course is also a little harder to get around for crew, so knowing the splits between aid stations, driving distances and which stations you might need drop bags for is even more important!
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2. Plan your morning (and set two alarms!)
If you're racing the 102km or Miler event, you have a very early morning as the start line is located a fair distance from downtown Rotorua. You can definitely drive yourself but there is also a race-organised shuttlebus to get you there.Â
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However the Miler bus leaves at 3am and 102km bus leaves at 5am. Therefore you need to have a plan on how to get there in the morning, and have a breakfast that you can eat on the bus (and have practiced this!).
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Note: we know of athletes that have missed the shuttlebus and missed the start of the race - have a second alarm set!​
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3. Travel Smart​
If you're flying across this ditch for this event, there's some simple tips to make sure you arrive at the startline ready for a good day!​
1. Take your race shoes, pack and clothes in your carry-on.
2. Pack all your race nutrition in your checked bags (it can get confiscated some times!).
3. Take out a travel insurance policy - health care, especially emergency care - is really expensive when travelling internationally.
