TOUGH TARAWERA BUT FLEMING CONQUERS HER RACE

Kate Dzienis • February 28, 2018

Contributed by Kelly-Lyn Fleming, AURA Member, Ultra Runner

I knew that the Tarawera 102kms in New Zealand on February 10, 2018 was going to be a challenge. I was confident I could complete the distance, but what concerned me was making the cut off times. My husband and I drove to Rotorua the day before the event, and it rained the whole way from Auckland, with the weather forecast predicting more rain. Last year (when I completed the 65kms event) we had perfect weather; the year before (87kms) it was rainy and muddy, this year we were going to have rain, mud and a more difficult course. Reversing the course meant that we had the easiest part first and in daylight.

We left Firmin Field, Kawerau at 7am. The vibe was awesome, even though we were wet before we started. The first 7kms, running through single track forest was fun, apart from the odd wasp sting.

I had eaten breakfast at 4am and just after 7kms I began to regret the fact I had not had my usual morning mocha drink and I started feeling the effects of no caffeine or sugar. I had also forgotten to take Tailwind to Rotorua, but was not overly concerned as I knew the aid stations would be well stocked. At the 10kms aid station, I filled a bottle with Tailwind (too watery) and had a Spring Energy gel. My pre-race nutrition plan was to have Spring Energy every 10kms, Clif Bloks when needed, and dates and cheese from my drop bags.

The next 19kms were hard going, more so mentally. I was questioning why I was out there in the rain, paying to do something that I wasn’t actually enjoying. When I got to Titoki (26kms) I decided to have Coke. I didn’t want to start drinking Coke so early, but I needed a boost of energy. At 29kms, my mojo suddenly caught up with me and I began to really enjoy myself. By now my feet were not only wet, but muddy. I had sand and mud inside my shoes and toe socks. Parts of the track that should have been easy to run on had become ankle deep mud pools. I was thankful I had decided to carry my poles from the start.

Passing the gushing Tarwera Falls was spectacular. My support crew met me at The Outlet (40kms), and I was really pleased as I was 20 minutes ahead of my predicted time. I had a drop bag there and after a quick restocking of nutrition I was on my way again. The scenery between The Outlet and Humphries Bay was spectacular, and took my mind off my feet. I had blisters on both feet and the sand in my socks felt like I was walking on sandpaper. I didn’t want to stop and change my socks because I knew my feet wouldn’t stay clean or dry.

On arrival at Okataina (58kms), I was greeted by my support crew. I decided to change my socks as by now my blisters were starting to throb. I made a teary promise to my husband that I would not sign up for the miler (a decision that I now regret). My feet were cleaned up, Fixomul was applied and after a few tears, cups of Coke, dates and cheese I was on my way.

From Okataina to Millar Road was going to be the longest distance between checkpoints (16.4kms) and also the most difficult terrain. I wanted to complete this stage while there was still daylight. I had resigned myself to the fact that I wouldn’t be running anymore (apart from over the finish line). With the mud, blisters and terrain, the going was tough. I fell a lot along this section as I was determined to complete this stage before dark and was pushing too hard.

A few kilometres out from the Okataina Aid Station, another competitor was lying alongside the path with a broken ankle. A lot of competitors had already pulled out at Okataina. Getting to Millar Road was a relief, I knew I only had 8.6kms to go until Blue Lake where I would be picking up my pacer. I was still ahead of cut-off, but by now I had abandoned my plan of completing it all in 20 hours and just wanted to finish in one piece. During daylight and without mud, this section would have been great to run through. About 3kms before Blue Lake, the path suddenly stopped and I didn’t know where to go. I heard a voice telling me to walk towards the light. I was not hallucinating!!

A huge tree had come down and was blocking the path. I had to climb over the tree trunk, and after negotiating the obstacle with the help of two volunteers, I continued in the dark. Suddenly I heard a crack and a thud. A tree had fallen down in the forest, but I didn’t know how close it was to me. As I was alone, I was really scared and this spurred me on. Going faster through the mud though meant sliding and falling more.

I arrived at Blue Lake just before 1am and was greeted by my pacer Olivia. I had not planned to stop for long but as my feet were really sore, I decided to change socks again. There were tubs of muddy cold water that I put my feet into in an attempt to clean them. After patching up my blisters, putting on dry socks and a quick Cuppa Soup, we were on our way. By now, each step felt like I was walking on razor blades. Walking along the bitumen made it even worse. Olivia was doing her best to distract me and I was trying to keep my groans to myself. This section, to Redwoods, was another long one (16.2kms).

By now, my nutrition plan was abandoned, I didn’t feel like eating anymore. Olivia reminded me to drink periodically, but by now I couldn’t tell the difference between water or Tailwind. Having the company really helped keep my head in the right place.

This part of the course seemed to go on forever, and I was really pleased when we arrived at the Redwoods Aid Station. I changed into road shoes and decided not to change my socks as I didn’t want to see the state of my feet. Tania joined us at Redwoods, and the three of us set off for the final 5kms. As Tania and Olivia had not met before, they chatted away and I could just listen without having to talk. We walked along most of the Rororua parkrun track and even though it was cool, walking past the sulphur pools made us hot. The sulphur smell added to the atmosphere and I knew that we were approaching the finish line.

As we turned the corner onto the road leading up to the finish, all the pain in my feet and the tiredness disappeared. Even though I had been on my feet for 22 hours and 48 minutes, I ran up that road and into the arms of Paul Charteris. The relief at finishing before the 24-hour cut-off was immense. I could sit down and enjoy a bottle of chocolate milk and a bag of chicken chips. This was the most physically and mentally challenging event that I have completed.

Would I do it again? Absolutely!

AURA member Kelly-Lynn Fleming (53) has always been an avid hiker. She began running in March 2015 and since then has completed many running events, including multiday events (Big Red Run 250km) and ultramarathons. She enjoys the challenge of pushing her mind and body to their limits. She is a run director at Lake Joondalup parkrun and encourages others to achieve their goals.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Australian Mountain and Trail Running Championships 2027

By Jin Kato • July 8, 2026

The world-class trails of Kunanyi/Mt Wellington will play centre-stage for one of the country’s fastest-growing sports, after the Kunanyi Mountain Run (KMR) was awarded the hosting rights for the first-ever combined Australian Mountain and Trail Running Championships (AMTRC). KMR was awarded the National Championships after a competitive bid process, overseen by the Australian Ultra and Trail Running Association (AUTRA) and Australian Athletics (AA). AUTRA President, John Claridge, said that KMR “offered everything we were looking for”. “World-class trails, proven event management and a passionate community. It provides the perfect stage for Australia's first combined National Trail Championships," he said. It’s expected that Australia’s elite mountain and trail running athletes, and support crew, will travel to Hobart, as they vie for a spot in the Australian team that competes at the 2027 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships. "This is a landmark moment for trail running in Australia,” Mr Claridge said. "We're excited about what this championship represents; not just next year, but for the future of trail running in Australia... helping grow the sport and inspire the next generation of trail runners." The 2027 AMTRC at KMR will be the first time that all championship distances have been held together, at the one festival. “It aligns us more closely with the way World Championships are presented, creating a stronger pathway for athletes and raising the profile of the sport,” Mr Claridge said. KMR, a 3-day trail running festival which has been held annually since 2022, expects to draw more than 1500 runners and hikers from across Tasmania, Australia and internationally next year. The AMTRC will be embedded within KMR’s existing event program, allowing elite athletes to compete for the national titles, while sharing the same spectacular trails and event-experience as recreational runners. “We’re honoured to have been selected as host,” KMR’s founder and director, Lincoln Quilliam said. “KMR continues to welcome runners, and hikers, of all abilities. From the elites who want to represent Australia on the world stage, the group of mates or work colleagues who run the team relay together, the mums returning to running after having a baby, as well as those who are trying trail running for the very first time,” Mr Quilliam said. Tasmanian runner, Jessica Collins, who has represented Australia, said it was exciting news for KMR, Tasmania and the sport. “This is such a great opportunity for Australian athletes. I’ve run many of the KMR events and know the courses and the terrain are on par with what we see at the World Champs,” she said. The City of Hobart has supported Kunanyi Mountain Run since its inception, and Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said she was “thrilled” with the news. “Events like this not only showcase the natural beauty of our region but also reinforce Hobart’s reputation as a vibrant destination for world-class outdoor experiences.” The 2026 edition of KMR brought in $4 million to the Tasmanian economy, generating more than 8000 bed nights across the state, which Alex Heroys, Chief Executive of Destination Southern Tasmania, said was a “significant return for the visitor economy”. “Kunanyi / Mount Wellington is one of Tasmania’s great natural assets, and the Kunanyi Mountain Run shows exactly how powerful events can be in driving regional tourism,” he said. “We have an epic mountain right on Hobart’s doorstep, an airport less than 30 minutes away, and a city that is well set up to welcome thousands of visiting athletes, support crews and spectators.” “This event also reinforces Tasmania’s growing reputation as a world-class trail running destination. With steep, technical trails and real mountain terrain, Kunanyi offers conditions that are genuinely comparable to what athletes will experience at the World Championships, making it an ideal place to compete, train and visit.” For more information: Kunanyi Mountain Run Dates: 19-21 March 2027 Pic credit: David Nolan & Ryan Slater