Mandatory Gear
The mandatory gear list contains what we believe is the absolute minimum to keep you safe during the event and in New Zealand's unpredictable weather systems. If you would normally take something extra on a run of this duration, you should still take it.
WEATHER DEPENDENT RULINGS
Forecast For Race Day
As you may have seen, there is rain forecast for the coming days in and around Rotorua. At this stage, the forecast is for ongoing showers from Friday through to Sunday. We're still expecting warm temperatures, from 18 to 25 degrees celsius, so expect humid conditions out on the trails.
Overnight on Saturday the humidty drops, and so does the temperature, and we are expecting cooler temps throughout the night.
Into Sunday, we expect showers to ease, however there is a chance of higher winds into the late afternoon.
While you're likely to be warm while running, if you are required to stop for any reason, being wet you will quickly get cold, which is when the below mandatory gear really counts.
Trails will be wet, and while Rotorua is famous for it's volcanic and well draining soils, expect some sections to be slippery, and take care on steep descents.
2026 Tarawera Weather Dependent Mandatory Gear Rulings
TMiler
Must carry all gear from start
T102
Mandatory Items (must be carried)
- 1 x waterproof and breathable jacket (must be seam-sealed and have a hood)
- 1 x long sleeve thermal top (polypropylene, wool)
- 1 x beanie balaclava or head sock (Buff)
- 1 x headlamp (only to be carried if leaving Okataina Aid Station after 2pm Sat 14 Feb)
- 1 x either: one set of spare new batteries, a second headlamp or a portable USB charger (only to be carried if leaving Okataina Aid Station after 2pm Sat 14 Feb)
Note: Mandatory items will need to be checked, either at a gear check store or at check-in, before you're able to check-in for the event.
Highly Recommended Items
- 1 x mobile phone
- Water bottles/collapsible cup/hydration vest
T50
Mandatory Items (must be carried)
- 1 x waterproof and breathable jacket (must be seam-sealed and have a hood)
- 1 x long sleeve thermal top (polypropylene, wool)
Highly Recommended Items
- 1 x mobile phone
- Water bottles/collapsible cup/hydration vest
T21
No mandatory items
Highly Recommended Items
- 1 x mobile phone
- Water bottles/collapsible cup/hydration vest
T14
No mandatory items
Highly Recommended Items
- 1 x mobile phone
- Water bottles/collapsible cup/hydration vest
MANDATORY GEAR LISTS
The course passes through remote trails, where protection from the elements and medical/support services could be some time/distance from athletes needing assistance. It is therefore imperative that the mandatory gear is carried at all times.
In order to reduce waste, we are a cupless event. Athletes are strongly advised to carry their own drinking cup, bottle or hydration vest that they can use at aid stations for the selection of drinks. We recommend you also carry water between aid stations.
*Weather Dependent Items
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| Item | TMiler | T102 | T50 | T21 | T14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 x long sleeve thermal top (polypropylene, wool) read description | ✔ | ✔* | ✔* | ✔* | Recommended |
| 1 x waterproof and breathable jacket read description | ✔ | ✔* | ✔* | ✔* | Recommended |
| 1 x beanie balaclava or head sock (Buff) | ✔ | ✔* | ✔* | ✔* | Recommended |
| 1 x long leg thermal pants (polypropylene, wool) read description | ✔ | ✔* | ✔* | ✔* | Recommended |
| 1 x full-fingered lightweight thermal gloves (polypropylene, wool) | ✔ | ✔* | ✔* | ✔* | Recommended |
| 1 x headlamp | ✔ | ✔* | ✔* | ✖ | ✖ |
| 1 x either: one set of spare new batteries, a second headlamp or a portable USB charger | ✔ | ✔* | ✔* | ✖ | ✖ |
| 1 x mobile phone read description | ✔ | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended |
| Water bottle/collapsible cup/hydration vest or bag | ✔ | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended | Recommended |
| 1 x high visibility safety vest read description | ✔ | Recommended | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| 1 x emergency survival bag (not a survival blanket) read description | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| 1 x self-adhesive bandage read description | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
Suitable garments:
The mandatory thermal items must be made of either a high performance synthetic material that is made up of fibres which are hydrophobic (ie they do not hold water) or they can be made of lightweight wool (wool does absorb water but it remains warm to wear when wet due to warm air being trapped in lots of tiny air pockets). Garments made of synthetic materials such as polypropylene, polyester and chlorofibre (PVC) are perfect as the fibres do not hold moisture. Garments made from these materials can feel slightly damp in wet conditions but that is because moisture is held in the tiny spaces between the fibres. As the fibres do not get wet these garments will actually dry out from your body heat while you are wearing them and there is no evaporative cooling effect as the moisture evaporates from the spaces between the fibres. Modern thermal materials may use a small amount of spandex, elastane or Lycra to provide greater shape retention, tighter fit and therefore greater warmth. Garments made of a material that is 94% polyester and 6% spandex are perfect.
Not suitable:
Garments made mostly of synthetic materials such as lycra (a polyester-polyurethane copolymer) and coolmax (which is polyester with fibres amended so they do absorb moisture) are not suitable for this event as they hold moisture against your skin and they also wick moisture away very well thus causing substantial evaporative cooling. All compression garments are made of mostly lycra so they are not suitable as your mandatory thermals in this event. Cotton is also unsuitable as it absorbs water and holds the moisture against the wearer's skin. Unlike wool, cotton has no bulk to trap warm air so the wearer remains cold. In search and rescue circles cotton is called "The Fatal Fabric" and "Killer Cotton" for good reason - people die every year when caught out in the elements wearing cotton garments. Other people also caught out in the same conditions who are wearing synthetic and/or wool survive – it’s a very clear cut issue.
Must have fully taped (not critically taped) waterproof seams and hood.
In working order with fully charged battery and working SIM card that can be used to make calls in New Zealand.
That complies with Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4602:1999 or AS/NZS 4602:2010 or AS/NZS 4602: 2011 as well as Class D/N for day and night time wear.
Must be worn when running on Tarawera Road between Blue/Green Lake Carpark and Buried Village.
The survival bag must be sealed everywhere except the top opening (i.e it is a bag, not a blanket) – it must be large enough for you to climb into and pull tight around your shoulders – if it is a single-use bag (most foil survival bags are single use), then it must be in new condition.
Minimum dimensions 40mm wide x 2m long unstretched.
