T21
Whether you're new to the trails or just want to join the Tarawera whānau on race day, the T21 is made for you! Runnable trails, fully catered aid stations and a kick-back vibe make this race all about the good times.
Race Category
Running Stones
The T21 is an achievable, point-to-point 21km trail run that has all the fun of the other distances with less of the run! This is a great option for first-time trail runners and families to get the full trail running experience, without going the long distance.
RACE DETAILS
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SATURDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2027 |
|---|---|
| ENTRY INCLUSIONS | T21: Race entry, epic trails and good times, race pack with bib number and timing chip, drop bag service, event mobile app, fully stocked aid stations, finisher medal, post-event recovery area at the finish line venue with food & drinks, awards and prizes (if you're fast enough), on-course photography (purchased at registration or post-event) |
| TRANSPORT | An optional pre-race shuttle bus is available for $10:00. Pick up from the Village Green on Tutanekai St between 8:30am and 9:15am. Dropping you at the start line. Limited parking is available at the start line, if you prefer to drive yourself. Book your shuttle bus from your registration account |
| MANDATORY GEAR | All athletes may be required to carry mandatory gear during the race. Details are on the Mandatory Gear page |
| MINIMUM AGE | 16 years of age on race day |
| TOTAL ALLOWABLE TIME | 7 hours elapsed time from when you crossed the start mat |
| CUTOFF PACE REQUIRED | 18 mins/km |
| FIRST FINISHER | 1hr 15min (11:15am) |
| FINAL FINISHER | 7hr 00min (5:30pm) |
| TIMING RESULTS | Timing results will be based on net time and provided by the following age group categories for men and women: 16-17 years, 18-19 years, 20-34 years, 35-39 years, 40-44 years, 45-49 years, 50-54 years, 55-59 years, 60-64 years, 65-69 years, 70-74 years, 75-79 years, 80-84 years, 85+ years. Your age group will be determined by your age as at 31 December 2027 |
| AWARDS & PRIZES | All T21 finishers will receive a finisher medal. The top 5 overall male and female finishers, as well as first place in each age category, will be awarded at prize giving - see event schedule |
| UTMB World Series |  The T21 is a UTMB World Series 20K Event. Finishers of T21 will receive 1 running stone |
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Your day will start next to the beautiful shores of Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake). You’ll run or walk your way around the 5.5km Blue Lake track and then continue back towards Rotorua.
The highlights include the atmosphere and views at the Lake Tikitapu Reserve startline, the towering redwoods, steam alongside the trail at Sulphur Point and finishing at the Village Green in downtown Rotorua.
The course is a combination of trails and forestry roads with native New Zealand bush, conifer forest, parkland and thermal landscapes.
*Maps subject to change, and may change for reasons outside of the Race Organisers control.
Select the Time Charts tabs to view the cut-off times for leaving the relevant checkpoint.
Time Charts show estimated fastest and slowest times for each race leg and should be used a a guide only. Where the slowest times are greater than the cut-off time, the cut-off time will supersede the slowest expected estimates. If you miss the cut-off then you must follow the directions of officials.
The Cut-Off Time and Total Allowable time for the Race are set out on the Race Website and included in the Runner Guide.
- Total Allowable Time is based on Net Time. The Total Allowable Time sets out the total time allocated for an athlete to complete the Race
- Cut-Off Times are calculated based on the departure time of the last athlete (for each race distance) crossing the start timing point. Cut-Off times are calculated to allow athletes to reach the finish line within the Total Allowable Time. Athletes must LEAVE the designated checkpoint before the advertised checkpoint cut-off time.
- On the day of the Race, if there is a change to the listed cut-off times (such that they are extended in the athlete's favour), these will be communicated to athletes via social media, email, and updated on the race pages of the Race website.
- If, in the Race Organisers discretion, during the race it becomes evident that an athlete will not make a designated checkpoint cut-off time or complete the race within the Total Allowable TIme (based on their cureent race race and the required race pace to meet such times), the Race Organiser mat notify the athlete that they will be classified as a DNF (Did Not Finish) and request that the athlete remove themselves from the Race course.
| Location | Distance from Start |
Distance from Last Aid Station |
Distance to Next Aid Station |
Distance to Finish |
Cut-off Time | Spectators | Drop Bags | Timing Point | Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) | 0km | 0km | 6.0km | 23.0km | Y | Y | Y | Water only | |
| Tikitapu (Blue Lake) | 6.0km | 6.0km | 9.8km | 17.0km | Y | Y | Water, Näak drink, cold food | ||
| Redwoods | 15.8km | 9.8km | 7.1km | 7.1km | 3:20pm | Y | Y | Water, Näak drink, cold food | |
| Village Green (finish) | 23.0km | 7.1km | 0km | 0km | 5:30pm | Y | Y | Y | Water, Näak drink, cold food |
KEY INFO FOR T21 RUNNERS
All the information you need to know before starting an extraordinary adventure.
