[Editor’s Note: On February 10th and 11th, 2018, and for the event’s 10th edition, the folks of the Tarawera Ultramarathon spread their wings from three races to four, sending off the inaugural Tarawera 100-Mile Endurance Run. Lakes, redwood trees, winding trails through native bush, and even a boat shuttle highlighted the event’s new race–which started and finished in downtown Rotorua, on New Zealand’s North Island–and so did a tropical storm which turned the whole weekend into a warm and yet jubilant mud bath. Enjoy this photo gallery by local photographer Kurt Matthews of the 100-mile race.]
The 2018 Tarawera 100-Mile Endurance Run started and finished in front of Rotorua, New Zealand’s 110-year-old Bath House. Now home to the Rotorua Museum, the Bath House served as the backdrop for the race’s rainy start. Photo: Kurt Matthews
A runner battens down the hatches of his rain jacket before beginning his 100-mile journey. Photo: Kurt Matthews
In the early morning hours, runners Andy Palmer and Hannah McRae cross Puarenga Stream, about 15 kilometers into the race. Both would have strong races, as Andy would go on to finish third male and Hannah second female. Photo: Kurt Matthews
Runners’ headlamps stream though the pre-dawn in Whakarewarewa Forest, where mature tree ferns offer a bit of cover from the heavy rain. Photo: Kurt Matthews
Sally McRae runs on the Tarawera Trail after Buried Village. She won the women’s race in the early morning hours of the next day with the same huge smile on her face. Photo: Kurt Matthews
Mgcini Masuku makes his way along the open track of the Tarawera 100-Mile Endurance Run’s middle miles. He crossed the finish line in 30:41. Photo: Kurt Matthews
Emma Brown and another runner make their way through the greenery of New Zealand’s North Island. Emma would be the last finisher under 30 hours, in 29:54. Photo: Kurt Matthews
Pete Lavery runs among the gorgeous green moss next to Lake Tarawera during the 100 miler. Photo: Kurt Matthews
Runners stretch out while awaiting a boat shuttle during the 100-mile race. A boat shuttle? During a running race? In New Zealand, anything can happen. Photo: Kurt Matthews
The boat shuttle across Lake Rotomahana lasts just a couple minutes, offering runners a fun diversion from all that, ahem, running. Photo: Kurt Matthews
Runners cross the Sulfur Flats geothermal area heading toward the Tarawera finish line at the historic Bath House in the distance. Inhale deeply as you run through and you won’t wonder anymore how the area gets its name. In all seriousness, this geothermal area, on the shore of Lake Rotorua, is important bird habitat. Photo: Kurt Matthews
Grant Guise doesn’t have to say a word, and yet we all know precisely how he feels after crossing the 100-mile finish line in second place. Photo: Kurt Matthews
