2026 Race Video
The Tararua Mountain Race is one of New Zealand’s most challenging mountain runs — a full crossing of the Tararua Range from Kaitoke to Ōtaki Forks.
In 2026, runners faced mud, wind, cloud and moments of sun as they made their way across one of the country’s most rugged mountain ranges.
This film captures the experience of the day — from the pre-dawn karakia at both ends of the range, to the effort required to move through the terrain, and the community waiting at the finish line.
At the front of the race, the women’s title came down to just 34 seconds, while first-time competitor Luke Brown took out the men’s race.
But beyond the results, the Tararua Mountain Race is about something else — the people, the shared experience, and the stories that come out of the mountains.
“It felt less like a race and more like a whole-body experience… you don’t push against the course — you move with it.”
Event details
📍 Kaitoke → Ōtaki Forks
📏 36km | ⛰️ 2300m ascent
Learn more
🌐 https://tmr.org.nz
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Transcript
That was like the hardest, most epic thing I've ever done. Epic. [laughter] But like you just go with the floor.
0:19
19 seconds
We gathered a kakira carried across the valley, grounding the day and setting the tone for the journey ahead.
0:28
28 seconds
From both sides of the Taro range, the route was blessed and the runners were ready. [music]
0:38
38 seconds
The week leading [music] in had everyone watching the forecast. But in the Taroa,
0:44
44 seconds
you don't [music] wait for perfect conditions. You take what you given. And this year, [music] the range delivered
0:50
50 seconds
everything. Mud, wind, cloud, and moments [music] of sun.
1:02
1 minute, 2 seconds
It was a struggle. Yeah, that's good. Yeah, but it hasn't been easy. No. Yeah. So, you can push it.
1:08
1 minute, 8 seconds
Yeah. It was quite a nice finish, eh? Yeah.
1:15
1 minute, 15 seconds
[music]
1:19
1 minute, 19 seconds
painted or in New Zealand for like two months.
1:21
1 minute, 21 seconds
Two months. Okay. Y when you got a blank canvas. Yeah.
1:24
1 minute, 24 seconds
You look at the race calendar and you're like, "Oh, perfect."
1:27
1 minute, 27 seconds
A young couple from Scotland had chosen the Tadarooa Mountain Race. [music]
1:31
1 minute, 31 seconds
Traveling north, they nearly missed collecting their compulsory gear. One phone call later, a Bivwak [music]
1:38
1 minute, 38 seconds
staff member delivered their map after hours. [music]
1:48
1 minute, 48 seconds
[music]
1:50
1 minute, 50 seconds
Out on the course, the Tataro Range did what it always does. It tested people.
1:58
1 minute, 58 seconds
Some pushed through, some turned back [music] at Alpha, already planning their return next year.
2:05
2 minutes, 5 seconds
Just good to finish. Yeah, Bob was terrible at the top. First time.
2:10
2 minutes, 10 seconds
Hard up marching. Hard across the tops and hard downhill. Well done.
2:16
2 minutes, 16 seconds
Downhill and up. Down and up. Yes, they do say that. At the front of the race,
2:24
2 minutes, 24 seconds
Allie Wilson chased a across the range to win by 34 seconds. One of the closest finishes in history. You were speedy,
2:33
2 minutes, 33 seconds
eh? Getting faster and faster. I um Yeah, I've just got to get to work.
2:37
2 minutes, 37 seconds
[laughter]
2:39
2 minutes, 39 seconds
I think it was probably less buggy for her to be fair. Yeah.
2:44
2 minutes, 44 seconds
In the men's race, Luke Brown in his first Taroa mountain race ran a composed
2:50
2 minutes, 50 seconds
and powerful race to take the win. Ahead of Taroa legend Brendan Vi.
2:59
2 minutes, 59 seconds
At Otaki Forks,
3:01
3 minutes, 1 second
the mountains gave way to something else. Sunshine,
3:06
3 minutes, 6 seconds
river swims, food, laughter, and stories from the range. A finish line festival and a community coming together.
3:19
3 minutes, 19 seconds
Uh, it's my fourth fourth. Good on you. Well, the last one was 15 years ago. Is that right?
3:24
3 minutes, 24 seconds
At the finish line, past and present came together. Brent Harrison, who founded the race in 1990, stood among the runners.
3:33
3 minutes, 33 seconds
Stories spanning more than three decades, all connected by the same mountains.
3:39
3 minutes, 39 seconds
Well, you might can't be too bad you came back for more. Yeah, some people don't. [laughter]
3:47
3 minutes, 47 seconds
Behind it all is a huge volunteer effort. Marshall's heading into huts the night before,
3:54
3 minutes, 54 seconds
long hours in the mountains supporting every runner, and Lancar training alongside the event, ready if needed. Nice work.
4:03
4 minutes, 3 seconds
This race doesn't happen without them.
4:06
4 minutes, 6 seconds
[music]
4:08
4 minutes, 8 seconds
Alpha Hut Kim Hut. Nice. Really nice. You had a bit of a face plant, did you?
4:16
4 minutes, 16 seconds
[laughter]
4:18
4 minutes, 18 seconds
I might a few times. The descent was just glorious. Yeah. Back for more, I reckon. Yeah.
4:25
4 minutes, 25 seconds
Sweeten in the dirt. 12 months. Oh, 12 months. She's done it. that at all. You enjoy it. You enjoy it.
4:34
4 minutes, 34 seconds
Like when we were going up, you didn't want to get your feet dirty, right? And when you come down, you're like, "Oh,
4:38
4 minutes, 38 seconds
now Scottish." Yes. Yeah.
4:46
4 minutes, 46 seconds
Best race of the season
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