Tarawera T102: Racing the Ultra-Trail Tarawera by UTMB
Her Trails Race Profile
Tarawera T102Tarawera T102, Ultra-Trail Tarawera by UTMB
Kawerau to Rotorua, past five lakes and beneath the Tarawera maunga.
Recommended Her Trails Program
Her Trails Tarawera T102 (20 Weeks)
A 20-week program built around what actually decides this race: speed endurance and pacing discipline on largely runnable, non-technical terrain, not climbing or technical skill. We build the deep aerobic durability, consistent fuelling and mobility support to keep you moving well over a long day on your feet.
Download the app, and don't forget to ask questions in Coaching Corner or the Community Hub. Coaching calls are on Monday.
View the programThe Course
A point-to-point course from Kawerau to Rotorua, passing five lakes and running beneath the maunga (mountains) of Tarawera, Ruawahia and Wahanga. Terrain is a mix of forestry roads, native bush and lakeside trails.
Unlike an alpine ultra, this course has no single defining climb, elevation gain is spread across the full 102km rather than concentrated in one section, and the highest point sits at only around 650m. What makes Tarawera hard is its speed: the course is described as fast and very runnable, which means most competitive runners spend the day genuinely running rather than hiking, and pacing discipline over that distance is what separates a good day from a bad one.
With a 30-hour cutoff, most runners have generous time to complete the distance, but held in early February, expect warm North Island summer conditions and limited shade on the more exposed forestry-road sections.
Map & Route
- Official race page, course map, elevation profile, GPX, aid stations & cutoffs: tarawera.utmb.world/races/t-102.
Getting There & Running It Beforehand
Rotorua is your base, it's the finish town and has the widest range of race-week accommodation. Kawerau, the start, is roughly a 45-minute drive away (confirm current drive time before booking travel).
Sections of the course use public forestry roads and lakeside trails around Rotorua that are accessible outside race week, so time spent running on genuinely fast, runnable New Zealand trail terrain beforehand is more valuable preparation here than hill-specific training alone.
Race-Smart Notes
Train speed endurance, not just distance. With no major climb to break up the effort, the ability to hold a strong, consistent running pace for 100km+ matters more here than climbing capacity or technical skill.
Nail your fuelling early and stick to it. A fast, runnable course invites you to under-fuel because you feel good. Consistent fuelling discipline from the start is what keeps that feeling through the second half.
Respect the heat. Early February in Rotorua is typically warm, and the exposed forestry-road sections offer little shade. Practise your hot-weather hydration and electrolyte strategy before race day.
Confirm cutoff times and full course details on the official Ultra-Trail Tarawera by UTMB site before booking or race week.
