The 50km Tarawera Trail nearly broke Aussie Majell Backhausen from Melbourne, but he reigned supreme in the Tarawera Trail and 50km event. Backhausen needed medical attention at the end of the 50km epic, after heading off Tauranga’s Chris Morrissey to finish in 4hrs 12mins 21secs. Wellington’s Fiona Hayvice won the women’s 50km in 4:46:03, as more than 1000 national and international competitors tackled the stunning trails between Te Puia and Lake Tarawera’s Hot Water Beach.
Backhausen was “absolutely stoked” with the win and the event lived up to his expectations… but it also “kicked my arse”.
“I had been running neck and neck with Chris Morrissey until the Buried Village aid station when Morrissey stopped,” Backhausen said. “I blew through and didn’t stop for the next 15km, as I thought it was now or never.
“The course is amazing – it’s absolutely stunning and I now hope to be back for the Tarawera Ultra in February 2016.”
Hayvice says she is equally stoked with the women’s win. She was hoping for a top three placing but didn’t expect to come away with first place.
“It’s a magic feeling,” Hayvice said. “I’ve done the Tarawera Ultra three times and I wanted to try out this event with it’s shorter distance and different trails.
“The atmosphere has been unreal and the start line at the geyser was incredible.”
Event organiser Paul Charteris says he’s absolutely thrilled and he loved the finish line at Hot Water Beach, which was a sea of positivity and jubilation.
“I couldn’t ask for a better day – though it has been hot and tough for the runners. So many people from Rotorua and beyond had no idea that Hot Water Beach even existed and they’re loving it.
“For many this event is the biggest thing they’ve ever done.”
The spectacular point-to-point geyser to volcano race started in front of the world-famous Pohutu Geyser in Te Puia’s Whakarewarewa Valley. A spine tingling haka bid the runners farewell and good luck as they set off to retrace one of New Zealand’s most important historical routes – that of the Tuhourangi people after the Mt Tarawera eruption in 1886. The course weaved its way alongside four lakes with stunning views, through an archaeological site at Rotorua’s Buried Village, under a waterfall, through native and exotic forest.
The finish for competitors was on the shores of Lake Tarawera, where they dived into the crisp lake water and rested aching muscles in Hot Water Beach waters with a cold Croucher Beer in hand. Boats and buses then ferried competitors and their supporters back through beautiful scenery to the start line.