Running the Tarawera T21
The T21 is a point-to-point trail race from the shores of Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) to Rotorua's Village Green. The course moves through native New Zealand bush, conifer forest, forestry roads, the towering Whakarewarewa Redwoods, and the geothermal landscape around Sulphur Point before finishing in the centre of town. It is designed to be runnable rather than highly technical, but the 400 metres of rolling elevation and the variety of trail surfaces keep you honest from start to finish.
This is part of the wider Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB weekend, so you get the atmosphere, course markings, aid stations and finish line experience of one of New Zealand's premier trail events. It is a genuinely welcoming entry point into trail racing, and it also rewards preparation: knowing the terrain, pacing the undulations, and arriving at the Redwoods with legs that still have something to give. This is a cup-less event, so you will need to carry your own hydration vessel on course.
What the course demands
- ●Sustained runnable pace across rolling, varied terrain
- ●Pacing discipline across 400m of rolling elevation
- ●Comfort self-carrying hydration on a cup-less course
- ●Legs that still have something left through the Redwoods
How this program prepares you
- ●Structured weekly running, strength and recovery sessions
- ●Terrain-specific sessions on rolling ground and trail
- ●Mobility and strength support built into every week
- ●Mindset tools to help you move with purpose from start to finish
Everything you need, in one place
Training Program
- ●12-week structured plan with weekly run, strength and recovery sessions
- ●Terrain confidence built through rolling, varied ground
- ●Tarawera-specific course and pacing preparation
- ●Mobility, strength and mindset support throughout
Coaching + Community
- ●Live coaching calls on Mondays, with replays available
- ●Coach-led education on female physiology and training
- ●Practical guidance for training across the menstrual cycle and changing life stages
- ●A private community of women preparing for the same race
Coached by a team built by and for women
Trail-specific expertise
Coaches who train and race on trail themselves, and who build every plan from what a specific course actually demands.
Female physiology first
Training built around the menstrual cycle, changing life stages and the realities of training as a woman.
Live weekly coaching
Monday coaching calls where you can ask questions, troubleshoot sessions and adjust the plan to real life.
A community that gets it
A private group of women training for the same race, sharing the same weeks and the same long runs.
Before you decide
Also Worth Considering
Training for more than one goal this season?
Instead of purchasing individual programs, many runners choose the Her Trails All-In Membership for broader training support across the year. If you plan to complete more than one program this season, the All-In Membership is usually the most cost-effective option and gives our coaching team the ability to support you as you transition between races, training blocks and recovery periods.
Best Value
Her Trails All-In Membership
$220 / quarter
- ✓Access to every Her Trails program including trail, road and strength
- ✓Community and coaching platform with weekly coaching calls
- ✓Strength and mobility training for runners
- ✓Coaching support between races and training blocks
- ✓Ongoing community support and accountability
Her Trails in Motion
These films capture our athletes and community in action across the races where Her Trails runs dedicated programs. They offer a real glimpse of how training, racing, and community support come together: moving beyond the plan, into lived experience.
What you see here is more than racing: itβs community, confidence, and connection in motion.
Questions before you commit?
Choosing a program is a real commitment of time and energy, and it is normal to want to talk it through first. Here are a few places to start.
We can connect you with an All-In member for a relaxed call about the program, fitting training around work and family, or anything else on your mind.
Request a chatOr browse all our programs