Overseas interest in Tarawera ultra race | Rotorua Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Rotorua

Still four months away and already numbers are look strong for next year's Vibram Tarawera Ultramarathon run.

More than 140 runners from eight countries have signed up already.

The event has a new title sponsor, with Vibram Five Fingers (who sell toe shoes in New Zealand).

Not surprisingly (to an ultra-runner at least), the 100km distance has proven to be the most popular - by a country mile. The event also has 60km and 85km solo run options and athletes can complete the 85km distance as a relay team.

The March 17 race will be the fourth time this increasingly popular event has seen athletes from all over the world run, walk and eat their way from Rotorua to Kawerau, through the Department of Conservation tracks and forestry roads.

Last year's race had 240 entrants but it already looks like next year's race will have 300-400 runners. Only a very few are elite athletes, the majority are weekend warriors who are looking for a big challenge.

Among the elite talent for next year's event is the phenomenal 20-year-old Hawkes Bay runner Kristian Day who has been training more than 160km a week. He'll be joined by the current Australian 100km champion, David Eadie.

Day has already been scouting the course ahead of next year's race. A few weekends ago he ran from the Rotorua Redwoods Visitors Centre to Okataina Lodge and back - a distance of 70km.

Noticeably absent from the field is Timaru athlete Sam Wreford, who smashed the 100km record last year in 8 hours and 33 minutes. Under advice from his coach Barry Magee, he used the Tarawera Ultra as a long training run to help build up marathon endurance. Hopefully it will pay off, Wreford is currently in Kenya and aiming for New Zealand Olympic Team selection in the marathon event.

With nine out of 10 runners coming from out of town, this nationally and internationally-recognised event is a great way to showcase Rotorua.

As such we've had great support from a number of local sponsors including: Events & Venues Rotorua, Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust, Croucher Brewing, Allied Industrial Engineering, Abracadabra Cafe, Mark Copeland Lawyer, Holiday Inn Rotorua, Polynesian Spa, Ogo, BNZ and Pak 'n Save.

For more information on the event check out our website: www.taraweraultra.co.nz