Jones said in a media release the feeling of winning the competition back-to-back was “undeniable.
“Backing up in an ultra just really means a lot because anything can happen out there in ultramarathons.”
Jones said he put last year’s event down as “one of my most successful races I’ve ever done” and to come home and “win here again in front of my home crowd, in front of my parents and my friends was really amazing”.
As is tradition at Tarawera Ultra-Trail, Jones - the 102km winner - was received at the finish line by a haka and to the cheers of hundreds of spectators.
“I got to experience the haka last year. I never thought I’d have that experience in my lifetime and to have it again, it doesn’t change, it’s just beautiful.”
Ruth Croft won the women's 102km race category at Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB 2024.
New Zealand trail-runner Ruth Croft won the women’s 102km race on Saturday, reclaiming the title she earned in 2021.
Croft finished the race in 9h 14m 14s.
Croft said in a media release “I’m feeling relieved [and] pleased I made it to the finish line”.
She said she might have started the race “a bit too hot” and “paid for it in the middle”.
Croft said she was able to “rally in the end” to make the winning time.
“I got a split going into the 87k aid station, I was told I only had six minutes and that I needed to get moving and so I ran a bit scared until the redwoods but then I still had a bit left in the tank, so it was okay.”
Caitlin Fielder won the women's 50km race category at Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB 2024.
In the 50km women’s race, Rotorua-raised Caitlin Fielder won her third Tarawera title with a race time of 4h 1m 41s.
The media release stated Fielder’s lead was never troubled by other runners but she battled herself throughout the race despite cramping issues on some of the uphill sections.
“I feel pretty good, but pretty happy it’s over to be honest,” Fielder said.
