Tarawera UTMB 23km 2026

14 February 2026

https://www.strava.com/activities/17388864220/overview

Pre Race

Brett drove me down to Rotorua on the Friday afternoon via bad traffic. It was rainy. Like, very rainy!

The registration area was wet.

We checked into our accommodation. Brett's hostel was locked up and even after frightening some girls we couldn't get in. This problem was eventually solved by visiting some rando house on a different road and convincing the key-holder to let Brett into his room.
I had booked some other (hard to find) room, which turned out to be above a shop and was a huge space with multiple spooky rooms and ancient wiring and hidden doorways. But perfectly ok for a one night kip.

We got some pasta and prepared for the morrow.

Race Day

We were up and breakfasted and down to the bus pickup early. The rain wasn't so bad today - mostly just drizzle, and so it continued for most of the day.

The bus dropped us at the Blue Lake, which was misty and pretty.

Over 1300 people started the 23km option! (there were also 50km, 100km and 100mi options)

We met Evan G (aka Joe Cool) (coming back from injury and lovely to see his enthusiasm!) and his friend Geo.

We found Mark P also, who was running the 23km also. Lynda P was off bravely doing the 50km.

The gun start lead us into a narrow corral start chute, and I emerged a bit ahead of Mark and sped off keenly.

I wore my saloman speedcross 6 shoes, with max grip. (a very wise choice, although us 23km guys didn't suffer from the mud that other longer races did!) My footing was superb and I never slipped.

The first 1/3 course is mostly flat around the Blue Lake, and then it got a bit hillier through the bush. (but not super hilly ever). I ran all the hills until a couple of big steep ones after halfway brought me to my senses and I power walked some bits.

I was feeling good, and flowing nicely. I had opted to avoid a camelbak, and just had 2 quick breathless cups of water at the 2 aid stations. In retrospect, I should have either carried fluid or stopped properly to re-hydrate better, because when I came out of the bush for the last easy flat 7km into Rotorua, I really was badly out of energy and/or dehydrated.

I had eaten a gel and 2/3 of a muesli bar, but even jogging along at 5:30/km pace was too much for me, and I had to walk multiple times. (my heart/breathing/faintness knackered, not my legs). I was worried about Mark catching me, and indeed, with 400m to go he did!! 

So I came 3rd in 55+. Mark turrned out to be in the 55+ group also, in spite of being 54, lol.

I did 2:06, with Mark 30 seconds ahead and some other dude another 10 seconds ahead of him.

Brett had a great run, after not competing for 3 years. He is inspired for more now!

Wrap

It was a very fun event. A minor pity to have weakened so much at the end, and losing out narrowly on first place, but a good lesson learnt. (I lost 4kg, so must have been badly dehydrated even though it was warm/misty/rainy all day)