Three of a kind make for happy trails

Athletes competing in this year's Tauhara Trail Run can use the event as a springboard to other runs in the series.

First in trio of events will be challenging, but view will make it worth the effort

Over 800 athletes of all abilities are preparing for the sixth annual Tauhara Trail Run and Walk in Taupo on July 6.

The Tauhara Run is the first event in the Run Taupo 63.3 series which has been running for the past five years.

The 63.3 series was originally designed by the Taupo District Council to bring together the three half marathons that were staged in the Taupo region over the winter months of July, August and September.

This year sees the introduction of the 30.0 series as well, where runners have the option of three 10km runs as they look to improve on their times at each event.

The Tauhara Trail Run and Walk event is followed by the Taupo Half Marathon (August) and the Kinloch Off-Road Challenge (September).

There are a multitude of reasons for taking on the three event options, 5km, 10km or half marathon (21km), on the north and east side of Mount Tauhara.

Local Scott Forsythe is looking to use the 63.3 series to get plenty of mileage into his legs.

The 50-year-old has done the Taupo Half Marathon three times before and, now that he is a local, he felt it was time to do all three events.

"These will be my first events after completing Ironman NZ 2014 and the start of training for Ironman NZ 2015," he said.

Whakatane's Mike Bremner is using the series around Taupo as part of his preparation for the Auckland Marathon in November.

The Taupo Series isn't just for the elite. It caters for all athletes looking to achieve their own goals.

Mount Maunganui runner Rhiarna Russell loves the challenge it offers. The 18-year-old entered the 63.3 two years ago and is hoping she can handle the rigours in 2014.

"I have entered the challenge twice now but have been unable to run a lot the last two years due to bad knees, so hopefully my body will handle the training this year."

Meanwhile Jenni Funnell has entered the 30.0 Series.

"I have done the half marathons before but would like to run this year with my 10-year-old daughter," said the 40-year-old.

Event Manager Susan Blundell-Dorrington, of total sport, said the Tauhara event is all about getting out there and having some fun.

"The majority of the run is on private land that is only accessible to the public on this event day," she said. "The course is what makes this event so special. The terrain is varied and the views are spectacular back over Lake Taupo and beyond. Entrants will find themselves on everything from open farm tracks to single trail through some awesome forest."

Blundell-Dorrington said athletes who are new to off-road running or walking should expect to be out on the trails for longer for the same distance than on the road.

"If you are doing the 10km or 21km events, save a little in the tank for a bit of a climb near the end of your event," she said.

She said the Taupo 63.3 and 30.0 Series have proven very popular among runners in the Central North Island and around New Zealand. It is a good challenge for all who have a keen sense of adventure.

"People find it great fun and good motivation to keep training over the winter months. The introduction of the 30.0 series has seen it become an achievable goal for many more athletes."

Tauhara trail run

When: Sunday, July 6
Where: Mt Tauhara, Taupo
Event options: 5km, 10km or half marathon (21.1km)
For more information visit: tauharatrailrun.co.nz

Taupo 63.3 series

What: Three half marathons, three stunning locations over three months.
New in 2014: 30.0 Series (10km option at each event)
1. Tauhara trail run, July 6
2. Taupo half marathon, August 3
3. Kinloch offroad challenge, September 6
For more information www.633.co.nz