Bringing together the running community from Aotearoa & World to the special place that is Rotorua.
Came into this without any expectations, still not feeling back to 100% fitness after injury last year. Goals were to just see what I was capable off on the day & have fun.
Lining up next to the geysers of Te Puia with athletes from all over the world, then facing the powerful Haka 2mins before the cannon, I felt a sense of peace & calm. First few km pass through sulphuric steam of the silica terraces, before running to the forest for the first climb. I always like to just run my own race. Plan was to be conservative in the first half & then see what I had left. Staying with the front pack for the first 30km through forestry track, nice winding trail & some technical bits. Stunning sun-dappled morning forest an easy distraction from forestry road sections. Reaching the top of Lake Tikitapu at 32km I felt strong & fresh, so upped the pace & quickly took the lead. I knew the trail from here well, owning the Tarawera 22k record on this exact course. Aid station hydration switch with Amanda “Thanks, bye, love you”.
I ran with joy, loving this amazing bit of trail, passing 22k/miler runners; some having a great time, others a low point. Keeping the pace over Tokorangi Pa & down to redwoods, then picking up the lead cyclist to bring me home. I told him I’ll be running scared as I know there are world-class runners chasing. He gave a smile “you set the pace & I’ll lead the way”. Awesome camaraderie & support along the sulphur flats with a constant stream of athletes of all levels going in both directions. Running the last km & finish shoot I felt the same sense of calm I had at the start. This had been a truly enjoyable run, with amazing support, incredible running community, in a beautiful setting that felt like home to me. Crossing the line to Kerry’s shouts of “Well done, Zebedee” an awesome moment.
I was informed that I had the race record & that my 22k course record also still stood. Over the moon.
Proud of my race execution. Part of me wishes I went a bit harder, as I had way more in the tank! Never know what you are capable of until you try ->>
3 years agocowboyhamilton
It was an honour to watch you crush that course David. You nailed the last 20k
3 years agocurranz.newzealand
Great effort David, was good to finally meet you face to face and be there at the finish line to support you. Proud to be sponsoring you with our running supplement 💜🔥👏
3 years agodavid_zebedee
->> cont’d My thanks as always to my one-woman support crew @owlprintpanda Thanks @curranz.newzealand for the support & finish line video. Great to meet & chat about the myriad of benefits Curranz has for health & fitness. Well done to everyone who ran/worked/supported/crewed at Tarawera. Special Congrats to @trailathlete runners who smashed their races. #taraweraultramarathon #tum50 #tarawera2023 #curranz #utmbworldseries #curranzsport #runrecoverrepeat #trailathlete #trailrunning #trailrunnz #runnersnz #whakaweraweraforest #loverotorua #asicsnz #thanksrigby
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