New Zealand to host ultra marathon event with local runners only

New Zealand is to host the second event of the Ultra-Trail World Tour circuit - the 13th edition of the Tarawera Ultramarathon - this Saturday (13th February) with the event open to local runners only because of Coronavirus restrictions.

Since 2014, the 102 kilometre event has been a flagship stop on the Ultra-Trail® World Tour calendar, attracting the best athletes in the discipline every year. Last year it was the Belgian Manuela Soccol and the British Thomas Evans who really made a name for themselves on the race. This year they will pass the torch to local runners who will be keen to do well in this very special context. The New Zealander Ruth Croft marks her comeback after four years of absence and will be with her compatriot Michael Voss on the starting line.

Dave Beeche, director of IRONMAN Group Oceania and organiser of the event notes "over the last few months, we have seen a strong appetite from runners to participate in events like ours.

"As we have come out of lockdown, we have seen more and more people getting into running. This year, over 60% of the participants will be doing the race for the first time; it's great to see so many people continuing to be active".

With participants aged between 16 and 83, the event continues to attract an ever-growing audience. No less than 2,500 runners are getting ready to take part in one of the four distances (21 kilometre, 50 kilometre, 102 kilometre and 160 kilometre) this weekend.

Due to Coronavirus restrictions, each participant will be asked to comply with the rules in place. Runners are advised to download and use the NZ COVID Tracer app and also to bring their own food and drink to the event. If there is any chance of a suspected case or contact case within their entourage, runners will be asked not to take part in the event. Participants will have to wear a mask and respect social distancing. .

As for the winners, they will gain 1000 points in the UTWT ranking, and the finishers of the 50 kilometre, 102 kilometre and 160 kilometre runs will get three 'Running Stones' for the UTMB Mont-Blanc draw, as well as the possibility to qualify for the Western States 100-mile Endurance Run.

2021 Circuit Evolves
Originally scheduled for April, the Madeira Island Ultra-Trail has officially announced the postponement of the event to 20th November 2021. The race will therefore take place at the end of the season before the last stage at the Ultra-Trail Cape Town.

It is a similar story for the 100 Miles of Istria, which announced the postponement of the race to 9th to 12th September 2021.

Since its beginnings in 2014 the Ultra-Trail World Tour has gradually expanded to include the most iconic and prestigious ultra-endurance trail running races around the world. From 10 events in 2014 the Ultra-Trail WorldTour now features 28 events from 22 countries and five continents. The original roster - which included races held in Hong-Kong, Spain, New Zealand, Japan, Australia, USA, France and Switzerland - has now been joined by events in England, Sweden and Thailand.

Click here for information on the the event's safety measures.

For more information go to www.ultratrail-worldtour.com/

Main image credit: Tarawera Ultramarathon.