February
11
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TARAWERA ULTRAMARATHON 2019 (102K/D+3089M): WINNERS REECE EDWARDS AND COURTNEY DAUWALTER. ULTRA TRAIL WORLD TOUR 2019
The Tarawera Ultra-Marathon, one of the most prestigious ultra trail in New Zealand, was held this weekend in Rotura, among all the other races, the ultramarathong 102k/D+3089) was the second race of the Ultra Trail World Tour 2019, following the Vibram Honk Kong 100 with Reece Ewards and Courtney Dauwalter as winners.
Next stop will be in spanish territory with The Transgrancanaria.
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TARAWERA ULTRAMARATHON 2019 (102K/D+3089M): RACE REPORT
Australian Reece Edwards made quite the trail running debut today, surging over the closing stages to take out the Tarawera Ultra 102km race from last year’s runner-up Cody Reed (USA) and Harry Jones (GBR), while in the women’s race it was one of the established international superstars in Courtney Dauwalter (USA) who came out on top of a star-studded field.
The 102km race set off at 6am in perfect weather conditions from Firmin Field in the central North Island town of Kawarau, with 463 participants lining up for the incredible journey to the finish line at the Rotorua Events Centre, taking in a combination of trails and forestry roads through native bush, conifer forest, farmland, parkland and stunning thermal landscapes.
Just months after posting an impressive 2:16 in Chicago in his first marathon, 28-year-old Edwards added a Tarawera title to his already burgeoning CV, winning in 8:22:51. It was the American Reed who led throughout the early stages however, with a chasing pack of Edwards, David Byrne, Jones and Charlie Ware never more than a few kilometres behind.
It was well inside the final 20 kilometres when Edwards made his move, first to catch and then to gap a tiring Reed, and while he may hail from Canberra in Australia, Edwards turned to a famous old New Zealand phrase from sporting folklore to describe how he was feeling upon crossing the line. “I am buggered, absolutely cooked, that is by far the hardest thing I have ever done, compared to a marathon that was a wild, wild day, it really was,” said an elated Edwards.
“I was happy with the pace early on, but I tried to run from 40 to about 65km as cruisy as I could. I just couldn’t keep up with Cody, my technical skills just weren’t there and if I tried to follow him, I was rolling my ankles.” “I decided to just chill and then when I was really suffering at about 70km I heard splits on the course, and I was only four minutes down. I thought I have been walking for ten minutes and he is only four minutes up! That is when the mentality changed, and it was all on again.”
Photo: Tim Bardsley-Smith
Edwards didn’t look back upon taking the lead at the Blue Lake aid station with 14km left to run, eventually winning by just under seven minutes, and admits he may have to change his upcoming race plans given the effort taken to win today.
“I am due to run a marathon in four weeks in Japan and attempt to lower my PB and get a world championship qualifying time, but I really don’t know what I will be doing now.” Reed showed incredible resolve to hold on to repeat his 2018 runner up finish, edging Harry Jones by under a minute after, a tiny margin on the back of the 102km distance. Despite his disappointment and having emptied the tank, Reed indicated he was up for a third tilt at the iconic event in 2020.
“I was planning on returning next year to run the 100 Miler, but first I have to win the 102k before making that step up,” said Reed. “I think the heat got to me today in the last 20 miles, they were like the hardest final 20 miles I have ever had, it was rough.”
In the women’s race, Courtney Dauwalter (USA) arrived at Tarawera Ultra as one of the more celebrated Ultrarunners to ever to grace the event, and she lived up to that billing with a start to finish win over debutant Stephanie Auston (AUS), and Angelique Plaire (New Caledonia). The Colorado (Boulder) athlete was delighted to win a race in such world class company and admitted to never feeling comfortable until the finish line was in sight. “It was so cool to be out on those trails with that group of women and athletes, I was running scared. I really did not think I had it won until I got to the finish line.” “I definitely took in the view, that was a priority, the scenery was so green and beautiful, and the lakes were incredible.”
Dauwalter maintained a steady rhythm throughout, pacing herself superbly through the varied terrain. “I was trying to stay constant, I was slowing on the climbs but trying to keep pushing. There was a tricky technical part between the third and fourth aid stations I think, with tree roots, that was hard to move quickly through there.”
The American posted stellar results in 2018, including victories at Western States 100 and Ultra Trail Mt Fuji 100, and won the Moab 240-mile Endurance event in 2017, and was able to enjoy the final few kilometres into the heart of Rotorua today.
“I did enjoy that final run to the line, just knowing that I am back home, and it was nearly time to celebrate and hear stories from other people about their day.”
33-year-old Dauwalter (she celebrates a birthday on February 13) has travelled the world, winning many of the great Ultrarun events, but didn’t hesitate when asked what it was beyond the incredible scenery that makes Tarawera Ultra Marathon so special. “The community, all week long, all the events that bring us together, you get to meet so many people, that makes it so special.”
The winners were greeted with a stirring haka as they crossed the line, underlining the strong relationships with local Iwi and the wider community in an event that celebrated every finisher, some running and walking long into the night before they too enjoyed the delights of the finish line with family, friends and supporters.
Results 2019 Tarawera Ultra Marathon 102km
Men
1 Reece Edwards, Australia, 8:22:51
2 Cody Reed, USA, 8:29:44
3 Harry Jones, Great Britain, 8:30:35
Women
1 Courtney Dauwalter, USA, 9:28:03
2 Stephanie Auston, Australia, 9:49:22
3 Angelique Plaire, New Caledonia, 10:39:47
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TARAWERA ULTRA-MARATHON: IRONMAN ACQUIRED TARAWERA ULTRA-MARATHON
IRONMAN, a Wanda Sports Holdings Company, has announced the acquisition of Tarawera Ultra-Marathon, one of the iconic Trail Running races based in the landscapes of Rotorua and the surrounding region. In its eleventh year, the Tarawera Ultra-Marathon is established as one of New Zealand’s and the world’s most popular and prestigious trail running events, with over 2000 runners expected for the February 6 to 10 event this year and that takes part of the Ultra Trail World Tour (it will be the second of the races after the Vibram Hong Kong 100).
“We are excited at the opportunity for further growth and development of the Tarawera Ultra under the guidance of the team at IRONMAN,” said Paul Charteris, owner and founder of Tarawera Ultra-Marathon. “I am so proud of what the event has become in the past 11 years. The event started as a dream when I was running around in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, home to the Western States Endurance Run. That dream became a reality when I returned to New Zealand in 2008.”
Both Charteris and Race Director Tim Day will stay on with the event, continuing to deliver a world class experience with the guidance and support of the IRONMAN team.
“For the past 11 years, the Tarawera Ultra has led the way in New Zealand and globally. It has become one of the most prestigious and popular trail running events in the world. What I am most proud of is the community of people this event has helped grow. We’ve been part of the journey of people’s lives,” Charteris continued.
One of the keys to that success and the potential for future growth is the event’s location, in the heart of the central North Island. Tarawera is considered the birthplace of tourism in New Zealand and for over 150 years, visitors have been drawn to the natural beauty of the area. Today, Rotorua plays host to more than four million visitors each year.
“Just as the run is woven into the hillsides, forests and around the lakes of this volcanic landscape, the culture of the people of Te Arawa are woven into the event,” said Charteris. “The run takes place in an area of significant spiritual value to the people of Te Arawa and the organisers fully acknowledge that the ability to run the event in such a location as a privilege.”
IRONMAN Oceania Managing Director Dave Beeche is delighted to have added such a prestigious event to the portfolio. “Paul, Tim and the team have done a wonderful job over these past 10 years delivering an event of high quality on some amazing and inspiring trails through the Rotorua heartland. We are honoured to now take up the challenge of further growing and nurturing the event on those same values.”
“The Tarawera has been built on a love for the customers, looking after them and fostering a close-knit trail running community. The values of the Tarawera are customer centric, with a focus on delivering a welcoming and friendly event, something that we aspire to in all our events,” Beeche added. “We can’t wait to work closely with Paul, Tim and team to take the Tarawera Ultra to an even larger and more globally diverse audience.”
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MORE ON TRAIL RUNNING: TOP RACES, RUNNERS, GEAR AND MORE.
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Info by Abel de Frutos for Trailrunningspain
