The latest news

This years race was notable for the number of competitors who were back again having competed in the first event in 1990; 8 out of 54 starters. Two of them, Terry Patterson & Allan Stowell achieved the milestone of having run every race since; 20 years in total.
The others were:
Tony Gazely Bill Thompson Shane Durrant Richard Wilson Kevin Wilson Ross Bidmead
This year we had a record equalling 119 starters, with 2 DNFs, made up of 65 individuals and 54 team runners. We had no Open or Vet Women's Teams.
We were fortunate enough to have runners from Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Whanganui, Palmerston North, Levin, Otaki, Waikanae, Paraparaumu, Carterton, Featherston, Christchurch, Greymouth, Mount Cook, Cromwell and Australia.
Some of the notable achievements were:

Remarkably the fastest overall time went to Vet-man Mark Beesley from Horowhenua in an impressive time of 5h 5m 36s. This was over five minutes faster than Open Men winner Daniel Clendon in an excellent time of 5h 11m 13s followed by 2nd open Men's place getter Bryn Davies in 5h 20m 12s.

The fastest Woman was Billie Marshall, again a veteran from a mixed team entry, with an impressive time of 6h 30m 14s. This was just under two minutes faster than Open Women winner Sarah Pettus.

First Open Woman was Sarah Pettus in 6h 32m 6s. Just 36 seconds ahead of 2nd Open Woman Rebecca Dryland

Congratulations to the following overage participant winners:

40+ Man = Colin Rolfe 5h 34m 26s

40+ Woman = no winner

50+ Man = Len Starling 6h 36m 35s

50+ Woman = Julie Gordon 7h 27m 26s

Participants that have competed every year since the race was organised:

Allan Stowell, Terry Patterson

posted 1 April 2010
We are proud to offer the following prize package and spot prizes.

The category prizes are:

First places in the Individual Men and Vet Men category will win a pair of the latest (due in NZ early April) Vasque Transistor Mens mountain running shoes.

First places in the Individual Women and Vet Women category will win a pair of the latest (due in NZ early April) Vasque Mindbender Womens mountain running shoes.

All first places in the Team categories will each win a pair of Bridgedale socks.

All second places in each category will win a Platypus 2 litre Hoser (Bladder).

All third places in each category will win a Platypus 1 litre collapsible bottle.

Spot prizes include:

Various goodies from Bivouac Outdoor.

24 Bottles of wine.

posted 20 February 2010
After a nine year break Brent Harrison is back again as organiser and keen to build on and maintain the integrity of this now iconic mountain race. Brent recognises the hard work and energy put in by previous organiser Lyndsay Fletcher; who with his many faithful supporters and volunteers have made this event into the well oiled machine that it is today. With Lyndsay continuing to help, Brent aims to see this footrace continue to present a challenge which encourages young and old to discover the boundaries of their physical and mental abilities.
posted 15 June 2009

Previous announcements

Race day 2009 was wet and cool. A few managed to suffer from the cold conditions on the open tops. I am sure you will agree that our thanks must go out to Rex and Anita Benbrook, the marshals who were stationed near Atkinson Peak. They were there for a good 5 hours and they were able to assist some of you. The route lived up to its reputation and offering a challenge which helps make this event the hardest one day mountain run in the country. Some of you told me that you did enjoy the challenge, despite the cool conditions, and I am pleased to hear that some of you will be back for more. There were 84 starters, with 4 DNFs, and lots of people entering for the first time. It is great that we can attract a few participants from overseas; in particular Naoki Ouchi from Japan. For the first time we had a low number of teams entered especially in the Men's category. There was no Veteran Mixed Team this year but all other categories were competed for. There were more veteran participants for the Woman Individual category than in the open category. There weren't any records broken this year.
Some of the notable achievements were:

The Individual Men's category was won by Jamie Stewart in 5h 7m 50s. I am sure he enjoyed the challenge for the first time and competing with Colin Rolfe.

The Individual Women's category was won by Deb Nicholl in 6h 21m 17s. This is her second win, first in 2007, and she came over from Australia where she now lives.

Congratulations to the following overage participant winners:

40+ Man = Colin Rolfe 5h 22m 51s

40+ Woman = Kate Jenkins 8h 16m 16s

50+ Man = Russell Trotter 6h 43m 22s

50+ Woman = Julie Gordon 7h 30m 52s

Participants that have competed every year since the race was organised:

Allan Stowell, Terry Patterson

posted 25 April 2009
We are very proud to announce that our major sponsor Vasque and our principle sponsor Bridgedale, along with Platypus, are to supply products for category prizes and spot prizes.

The category prizes are:

All first places in each category will win a pair of Bridgedale X-hale Multisport socks.

All second and third places in each category will win a Platypus Hoser 1 litre drink bottle.

Spot prizes include:

Vasque Mercury running shoes, .... plus more to come.

Maximum Velocity Challenge
If any Individual or Team betters the existing category record time then they will win a pair of Vasque Velocity trail running shoes and a pair of Bridgedale socks.
posted 7 November 2008
Race day 2008 was the hardest yet with the gale force winds encountered across the open tops. Many were pleased to see Andrew Chisholm and Tony Gates, the two marshals positioned near Atkinson Peak. I am sure you will agree that our thanks must go out to these two as they were stationed there for a good 5 hours and they were able to assist some of you. The route lived up to its reputation and offering a challenge which helps make this event the hardest one day mountain run in the country. Most of you told me that you did enjoy the challenge, despite the winds, and I am pleased to hear that some of you will be back for more. There were 107 starters, with 3 DNFs, and lots of people entering for the first time. This year saw 11 people competing over the age of 50, with 3 people aged 60/61. There was no Veteran Woman Team this year but all other categories were competed for. There were more veteran participants for both the Men and Woman Individual categories than in the open categories. There could have possibly been some attempts on the race records but I believe the wind may have been a factor this time. Congratulations to Brendan Quirke for winning the prize draw of a refund of his entry fee in the Ampro promotion, open to anyone who purchased a pair of Vasque shoes.
Some of the notable achievements were:

The Individual Men's category was won by Marcel Hagener in 4h 55m 2s. It was Marcel's first attempt at this event and he did find the wind a tough challenge. Given his pedigree in adventure racing as an equal of Richard Ussher, his win was still amazing despite only winning by 10 minutes.

The Individual Veteran Women's category was won by Jean Beaumont in 5h 54m 45s. She was also the fastest woman for this years event with 14 minutes 45 seconds separating him from Fleur Pawsey.

Congratulations to the following overage participant winners:

40+ Man = Colin Rolfe 5h 35m 23s

40+ Woman = not awarded; as the only potential winner, Miriam Jones won the Teams Woman category

50+ Man = John Taylor 6h 43m 20s

50+ Woman = not awarded; as the only potential winner, Julie Gordon won the Veteran Teams Mixed category

Participants that have competed every year since the race was organised:

Allan Stowell, Terry Patterson

posted 14 March 2008
The following events are proud to offer a great deal for those considering entering any one of the these.

Vasque Tararua Mountain Race

Vasque Mt Lyford Challenge

Vasque Mt Terako Extreme Challenge

Purchase any Vasque running shoes before the end of March 2008 and we will send you a pair of Bridgedale socks absolutely free of charge. It's that easy; just send proof of purchase along with proof of entry.
Proof of entry into the Tararua Mountain Race is a copy of the first page of the letter that you receive after your entry is processed.
Plus be one of the first 10 people to send in your proof of purchase and you will receive a full refund of your entry fee. That's up to a $65 saving.

Mail your proof of purchase to:

Ampro Sales Ltd

4 Aglionby Street

Melling

Lower Hutt 5010

Attn Mountain Race

Or send your proof of purchase to:

Email Ampro Sales Ltd - Attn Mountain Race

FAX (04) 939 6801 - Attn Mountain Race

posted 24 December 2007
Late September 2007 we accepted a sponsorship proposal from Vasque to have naming rights for this event and to also supply products for category prizes and spot prizes. At the same time we also accepted a sponsorship proposal form Silva, Bridgedale and Memory-Map to supply products for category prizes and spot prizes. As a result we are proud to offer a very generous prize package totalling $9,250.

The category prizes are:

All first places in each category will win a pair of Vasque Velocity running shoes.

All second places in each category will win 3 pairs of Bridgedale Ventum Ultralo socks.

All third places in each category will win a Silva Ranger 3 compass.

Spot prizes include:

Vasque Flux running shoes, Toughprint paper, Silva Field 7 compasses, Bridgedale Xhale Multisport socks, box lots of Larabars, Memory-Map (Lower North Island) CDs.

Each race pack will now have added:

A Larabar, Vasque & Bridgedale discount vouchers and a map of the course printed on ToughPrint paper (produced by Memory-Map).

posted 2 October 2007
Race day 2007 was the best and hottest yet. In fact too hot for some as they suffered from dehydration. Unfortunately for the first time in the events history two runners were air lifted to Wellington hospital, suffering from extreme dehydration. Their care and rescue was helped by the efforts of a passing tramping party, which happened to have experienced SAR people, and a runner, Terry Patterson, who was also an experienced SAR person. I am sure you will agree that our thanks must go out to those people. Both runners recovered well and at least one of them plans to return next year to finish. Thanks must also be given to those participants that took the time to raise the alarm at the next marshalling station. The route lived up to its reputation and offering a challenge which helps make this event the hardest one day mountain run in the country. There was one race record set and I am sure there were lots of personal best times. There were 89 starters, with 2 DNFs, and lots of people entering for the first time. This year saw 14 people competing over the age of 50, which is the same as last year, with 3 people all aged 60, along with the fact that all categories were competed for.
Some of the notable achievements were:

The Team Veteran Mixed category was won by Gordon Balfour and Julie Gordon in 6h 28m 40s. Breaking the record by 8 minutes 47 seconds; this has stood since 2003.

The Individual Men's category was won by Michael Beaumont in 5h 14m 44s. Colin Rolfe, returning to the event after a three year absence, missed out by just 2 minutes because of a bought of cramp.

The Individual Veteran Men's category was won by Paul Bird in 5h 14m 3s. He was also the fastest man for this years event with only 41 seconds separating him from Michael Beaumont.

The Team Veteran Men's category was won by Keith Frankum and Len Starling in 8h 1m 25s. Great to see Keith win a category prize after competing in this event for the 11th time.

Congratulations to the following overage participant winners:

40+ Man = Colin Rolfe 5h 16m 44s

40+ Woman = Carol Exton 9h 32m 58s

50+ Man = Geoffrey Whittle 6h 23m 0s

50+ Woman = Judith Taylor 8h 35m 44s

Participants that have competed every year since the race was organised:

Allan Stowell, Terry Patterson

posted 9 April 2007
Sarah Kleeman, a participant in the 2006 event, volunteered to take on the task of re-designing the event web site. It was something that the organiser had wanted to do for a while. She put together the page layout that you see in front of you and the bulk of the content. However she was unable to finish the project and Lyndsay Fletcher continued her good work by adding the rest of the content. I hope you are pleased with this new site, as much as all the organising committee are. Future improvements include a forum so that all participants can communicate with each other and a slide show script to view the photograph gallery.
posted 9 December 2006
Soon after the 2006 event an invite was sent out for volunteers to form an organising committee. This resulted in four people wishing to help. The following now contribute all year round to help make this event happen:

Richard Hardie

Terry Davis

Ali Hawke

Karl Yager

posted 9 December 2006
To give this event a unique distinction, compared to other mountain races, the committee consulted with others (including regular participants). We can now proudly state that this is the hardest mountain run in New Zealand.
posted 9 December 2006
To allow the organising committee to enhance this event, an email was sent out to all past participants asking for their input. We have taken all suggestions on board and we aim to implement them all.
posted 9 December 2006
As a result we are happy to announce the following improvements and changes for the 2007 event:

We currently have the following sponsors providing spot prizes; totalling over $2000:

Mainly Tramping is a outdoor retail shop and has been associated with this event since the beginning. Email them.

New Zealand Mountain Safety Council is an incorporated society and has representatives from a number of government and recreational organisations. They have been associated with this event since 2002. Email them.

Fitness Goals provides running and swimming programmes to athletes in Wellington, New Zealand and has been associated with this event since 2002. Email them.

Ultimate Outdoors is a outdoor retail shop in Masterton and they started their association with this event in 2006. Email them.

Out and About is a outdoor retail shop in Paraparaumu and they started their association with this event in 2006.

The event cotton tee shirt has been replaced with a polyester quick-dry shirt, from Ultimate Designs. There are seperate designs for men and woman and it will just have the event logo embroidered on it.

Depending on demand a shuttle bus will be provided to transport participants from Otaki Forks back to Wellington, including a drop off at Paraparaumu railway station.

The draw for spot prizes will be done electronically; replacing the requirement to off load race numbers at the finish. That means all participants will be able to keep their race numbers.

We will attempt, as best we can, to help those wishing to find prospective partners.
Please if you wish to arrange this.

posted 9 December 2006
Wilderness Magazine (voted "Highly Commended Special Interest Magazine of The Year" - 2006 MPA Awards) is providing advertising in the January and February issues, 2007. They are also providing each participant a discounted subscription to this great magazine. Email them.
posted 9 December 2006
With thanks to DOC (Department of Conservation), we now know the exact distance of the run, which is 35.4 km. The distance to Alpha Hut is 16.43 km and Alpha Hut to Kime Hut, 8.2 km. In addition we are able to provide an accurate terrain profile which allows us to calculate the total meters of ascent (2,250) and descent (2,475).
posted 9 December 2006