Rotorua, New Zealand · 102 km (63.4 mi) · 2,300 m (7,550 ft) gain
Race day Sat 13 Feb 2027
Footing and climbing are course traits: 5 is the smoother, flatter end, not a better race.
Watch out: Earlier editions used materially different courses All 3
Held back by stay and travel (2.8) and course (2.9).
Best for
Provisional: based on 2 sources. Why
Every score is out of 5, and 5 is always the better end.
Latest or next race
Sat 13 Feb 2027
Official race site(tarawera.utmb.world, opens in a new tab)Moku Coach builds your plan around race day in February and this course.
Start free trialOverall score 3.2 out of 5
2 reviews and race reports
2 reviews
Raced 2025 · LFS Run Coaching
Summers describes the Kawerau-to-Rotorua edition with runnable forestry roads, slippery technical trails and early singletrack congestion. Crew and drop bags helped her manage the day, while exposed sections became warm. She explicitly distinguishes this course from the easier alternate loops she ran in 2023.
Covers Support, Course, Conditions, Stay and travel
Read on lfsruncoaching.com (LFS Run Coaching, opens in a new tab)Raced 2024 · Australian Ultra Runners Association
Jones completed his first race at this distance after a previous ultra DNF. On the altered 2024 route he encountered a water queue where fields mixed, then appreciated enthusiastic volunteers while walking much of the later race with knee trouble. His route and reported distance do not describe the 2027 course.
Covers Support, Course, Cutoffs
Read on autra.asn.au (Australian Ultra Runners Association, opens in a new tab)Pick a score, then tell the next runner about the footing, cutoffs and aid stations.
Open a category for its ratings and the evidence behind them.
Good. How runners feel about it, how well it is run, and the community around it. Counts for 25% of the overall score.
Toughness for its distance: Tough
Both runners describe rewarding finishes despite congestion or physical difficulties. · Low confidence
Support was appreciated, but one altered edition had a significant water queue. · Low confidence
Both accounts describe encouraging runners, crews or volunteers. · Medium confidence
Good. Aid stations, crew access, drop bags and pacer rules. Counts for 25% of the overall score.
Eight stations support the route, though gaps and a historical water queue require planning. · Medium confidence
Assistance is restricted to designated spectator stations. · High confidence
Three course stations and the finish accept drop bags. · High confidence
Few accounts establish this aspect for the current edition. · Low confidence
Good. Course marking, scenery, and how runners rate the trail itself. Counts for 15% of the overall score.
Few accounts establish this aspect for the current edition. · Low confidence
Lakes, forest and geothermal surroundings contribute to the route experience. · Low confidence
Forest roads offer running opportunities between more technical trails. · Medium confidence
Forestry roads mix with slippery, rooty singletrack. · Medium confidence
The recent account describes extensive runnable roads between technical sections. · Medium confidence
Climbs 119 ft per mi (23 m per km), from the recorded elevation gain. · High confidence
Good. Race-day temperature and how predictable the weather is. Counts for 14% of the overall score.
Few accounts establish this aspect for the current edition. · Low confidence
Few accounts establish this aspect for the current edition. · Low confidence
Few accounts establish this aspect for the current edition. · Low confidence
Very good. How generous the overall and intermediate cutoffs are for the terrain. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
Thirty hours allows substantial walking, although station deadlines still apply. · Medium confidence
Published station deadlines accompany a generous overall allowance. · Low confidence
A first-distance finisher succeeded with extensive walking, but technical trails and long gaps still demand preparation. · Low confidence
Few accounts establish this aspect for the current edition. · Low confidence
Good. Getting there, places to stay, race-day logistics and value. Counts for 8% of the overall score.
Few accounts establish this aspect for the current edition. · Low confidence
Few accounts establish this aspect for the current edition. · Low confidence
The point-to-point route requires start transport and coordinated support. · Medium confidence
Few accounts establish this aspect for the current edition. · Low confidence
Point to point
Thirty hours from chip start. The published finish clock includes later waves; intermediate departures follow the event table. Station distances differ slightly between official tables.
| Checkpoint | Distance | Cutoff |
|---|---|---|
| Titoki14 km (8.5 mi) | 14 km (8.5 mi) | Saturday 11:25 local clock |
| Outlet28 km (17 mi) | 28 km (17 mi) | Saturday 15:30 local clock |
| Otamuri42 km (26 mi) | 42 km (26 mi) | Saturday 19:35 local clock |
| Rotoiti52 km (33 mi) | 52 km (33 mi) | Saturday 22:45 local clock |
| Okataina58 km (36 mi) | 58 km (36 mi) | Sunday 00:20 local clock |
| Millar73 km (45 mi) | 73 km (45 mi) | Sunday 04:55 local clock |
| Tikitapu85 km (53 mi) | 85 km (53 mi) | Sunday 08:15 local clock |
| Redwoods95 km (59 mi) | 95 km (59 mi) | Sunday 11:10 local clock |
Closest on distance, course shape, climbing, footing, region and season.
Overall score 3.0Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Also 100K · Point to point or one big loop · Also outside the US
Overall score 3.6Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Also 100K · Point to point or one big loop · Also outside the US
Overall score 4.1Mayer, AZ
Also 100K · Point to point or one big loop · Same time of year
Checked against the 2027 edition on the official race site. Rules change, so confirm before you enter.
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