Ultramarathon: Mother on road to support runners

Nicola Muggeridge will be supporting her husband and sister in the 100km race and has downloaded the mobile app to track them on race day. Photo / Andrew Warner

Running long distances has no appeal to Rotorua's Nicola Muggeridge, but that hasn't stopped her from getting involved in the Tarawera Ultramarathon.

Mrs Muggeridge will be one of the hundreds of spectators along the course as she supports husband Dean and sister Melissa White who are running the full 100km event.

She's been on the sidelines since 2012 when her mother ran the 85km course - before going on to finish the 100km in 2013.

"It's a fun event to watch," she said. "You've got the fast elites and then those who just want to finish - it's kind of like Ironman. Those at the back are just as awesome and inspiring to watch."

In 2013 and 2014, she got involved by volunteering at an aid station run by the Rotorua Association of Triathletes.

This year, Mrs Muggeridge has co-ordinated the volunteers needed for today's registration - 40 will help in the seven-hour registration process needed to cope with the 1000 competitors.

She has also helped find volunteers from the Rotorua Trail Runners Club for two aid stations and, come race day, is looking forward to taking on her supporter's role.

"The best place for supporters is Blue Lake. I'll see Dean off at the start and then head up there."

There's an aid station at the Green Lake lookout and runners will run anticlockwise around the lake before heading to Lake Okareka.

The lake is closed to traffic tomorrow.

Mrs Muggeridge said she would then go to the Tarawera outlet to see her husband at the 55km and 60km marks before heading to Firmin Field in Kawerau for the finish line celebrations.

Tracking runners this year has been made a lot easier with an app available on iPhone and Android.

Runners' details will be updated at each aid station.

-Lake Okareka and Lake Okataina are only accessible to supporters by shuttle bus. For more information on where to view runners visit www.taraweraultra.co.nz.

Details

What: Tarawera Ultramarathon
Where: Redwoods Visitor Centre, Rotorua to Firmin Field, Kawerau
When: Saturday, February 7, 6am onwards
How much: Free to watch