2026 Race Report
Kia ora <<First Name>>,
The Tararua Mountain Race has always been about more than just times and placings. It’s about the experience of moving through one of New Zealand’s most rugged mountain ranges alongside a community that values challenge, adventure and the shared journey.
This year’s race delivered all of that.
Runners gathered before dawn at Kaitoke, headtorches lighting the darkness as the Tararua Range disappeared into low cloud and drizzle. The race began with karakia sung into the quiet morning, blessing the route across the Tararua before the first wave set off on their long journey toward Ōtaki Forks.
The forecast during the week had many runners nervously refreshing the weather forecasts, but we got the safe mountain weather we needed to push go. And once the race begins, the weather becomes part of the story.
One small story from the lead-up captured the spirit of the event. A young couple from Scotland had chosen the race from the trail running calendar while planning a two-month adventure in New Zealand. Travelling north from their South Island base, they arrived late and realised they would miss collecting their compulsory gear map from event sponsor Bivouac. After phoning the store, the manager arranged to bring the map along to an after-work event so they could collect it in time for race day. It was a simple act of kindness, but a great example of the support that sits behind this event.
A race that demands your full attention
For many runners the Tararua Mountain Race is unlike any other event on the calendar. The terrain constantly changes, mud, tussock, rock, roots and steep descents, demanding concentration from start to finish.
One runner captured the experience perfectly after their first time racing the course:
“It was my first time racing in the Tararua. What struck me most was how engaging the course is. In many races there are sections where you can switch off and go into autopilot, but that simply isn’t possible here.
The terrain demands your full attention from start to finish. You have to stay present the entire time, and that ended up being one of the most rewarding aspects of the race.
It felt less like a traditional running race and more like awhole-body experience… you’re constantly using your hands, balance and strength to move through the terrain. Rather than pushing against the course, you end up moving with it.”
That connection with the mountains is exactly why this race has endured.
The race unfolds
Heavy rain in the days leading into the event left the range muddy and slow going in places. The early part of the course across Marchant Ridge and the high tops required careful footing, and the Tararua was true to form, tough but rewarding.
At the front of the race the men’s competition developed into a battle between two strong Tararua runners.
Luke Brown from Eketāhuna ran an outstanding race to take the win in5:18:48, holding off Tararua legend Brendan Varty, who finished second in5:24:13after closing the gap late in the race. Paul Lenihan rounded out the podium with a strong run to third in5:56:57.
It was Brown’s first time racing the Tararua Mountain Race and his first Southern Crossing, making the victory even more impressive.
In the women’s race, it came down to one of the closest finishes in recent years.
Ali Wilson claimed the win in5:58:01, edging out Allira Hanczakowski by just 34 seconds after starting in a later wave and chasing the time across the range. Sarah Hodgson completed the podium in6:24:47with a strong performance.
Seeing two Wellington runners break six hours on this demanding course was a highlight of the day.
A tough but rewarding journey
Not every runner made the final cut-off at Alpha Hut, and a handful experienced the character-building challenge of turning around and returning via Marchant Ridge.
But even for those who didn’t complete the crossing, the experience of the Tararua left its mark — and most were already planning their return next year with more hill training and Tararua time under their belts.
That spirit of unfinished business is part of what keeps people coming back.
The finish at Ōtaki Forks
With the road to Ōtaki Forks open again, the finish line festival returned to its natural home beside the river.
As runners emerged from the bush and crossed the swing bridge toward the finish line, they were welcomed by a sea of supporters, volunteers and fellow competitors enjoying the sunshine.
Mud-covered runners headed straight to the river for a swim to wash off the day’s effort, while others gathered in the sun trading stories from the range.
The BBQ and Food truck kept the energy up, with Geroge and the Garuda team serving kai to hungry runners and supporters. Coffee had been planned too, but the large vehicle didn’t quite make it through the gorge road.
It didn’t matter, the atmosphere was exactly what mountain running should be.
Kime Climb and Field Dash
The shorter races added even more energy to the day.
Ehsan Lorestani broke the course record in theKime Climb, setting a new mark of2:51:46. Séraphine Jacobs won the women's.
In theField Dash, Madeleine Watson from Scotland ran a record time in the women’s race, while Nick White took the men’s victory.
Many runners choose these events as a way to experience the Tararua Mountain Race weekend without tackling the full Southern Crossing, and they continue to grow each year.
Volunteers and the wider community
An event like this simply wouldn’t happen without the people behind the scenes.
Our team of marshals headed into the range on Friday night, tramping into huts in the dark so they could be in position for gear checks and to support runners throughout the day. They spent long hours in the mountains helping ensure everyone had a safe adventure.
LandSAR are also an important part of the race weekend. Each year they use the event as a training opportunity, running an exercise in the area so their team is nearby should they be needed.
It’s a powerful example of the collaboration that exists within the mountain community.
Honouring the history
One of the special moments of the day was welcomingBrent Harrison, the founder of the Tararua Mountain Race in 1990, to the finish festival.
Brent brought along photo boards from past years, sparking conversations and memories among runners who had been part of the race decades ago.
Some had returned after more than30 years, revisiting the same mountains and celebrating the enduring magic of the Tararua Range.
The Tararua magic
By the afternoon the finish area was full of runners, supporters and volunteers enjoying the sun beside the river.
Stories from the range were being traded over food, people were swimming to cool off, and the energy of the mountains was still buzzing through everyone who had spent the day crossing them.
That feeling is hard to explain to someone who hasn’t experienced it.
But those who have know exactly what it is.
The Tararua Mountain Race is never just about the race.
It’s about the people, the place, and the shared adventure across the Tararua Range.
And every year it adds another chapter to a story that began more than three decades ago.
Resultshttps://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=424185
RACE DAY MARCH 13th 2027
Tararua Mountain race
20 per cent chance of sun,
10 per cent chance of no wind,
100 per cent chance of blood, sweat and tears.
⛰️Southern Crossing - Running from Kaitoke,
Upper Hutt Hardcore to Otaki Forks.
🏃🏃♀️Field Dash - An out-and-back to Field Hut from Otaki Forks
💪Kime Climb - An out-and-back to Kime Hut from Otaki Forks
Thanks to our sponsors
