Saturday, April 12, 2025 – Tararua Range, New Zealand. A crisp pre-dawn in Kaitoke finds headlamps bobbing through misty forest. Runners gather at the “Car Park of Glory” — the humble name for the Kaitoke road-end — with nervous excitement. They are about to attempt the legendary Tararua Mountain Race (TMR), a brutal traverse of the Southern Crossing track from Kaitoke, Upper Hutt to Ōtaki Forks. First run over 30 years ago and founded by local adventurer Brent Harrison, this event has become a storied test of endurance in the New Zealand mountain running community. With its 20% chance of sun, 10% chance of no wind, and 100% chance of blood, sweat and tears , the Tararua Mountain Race is as much a battle against the elements as against the clock.
A Historic Race with Rugged Roots
The Tararua Mountain Race traces its history back to the early 1990s, when Brent Harrison and fellow Wellington mountain runners envisioned a race across the Tararua Ranges historic tramping route. Over the decades, the event gained a reputation as “New Zealand’s toughest mountain race”, attracting hardcore trampers and runners eager to test themselves. After a hiatus 2021 to 2023, the race was revived in 2024 under new leadership – prompting runner Bradley Houghton to quip, “When I heard that the Tararua Mountain Race was returning, I think I peed a little.” Such is the reverence this race commands among Kiwi trail runners.
Organised entirely by a team of ~20 local mountain runner volunteers, TMR embodies grassroots spirit. These volunteers spend months preparing the course and logistics, purely for the love of the mountains and the sport. The event also has a deep partnership with Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR). LandSAR teams provide safety support on race day – stationing personnel at key huts and checkpoints – ready to assist any competitor in trouble. In return, “Tararua Mountain Race supports LandSAR by providing donations after each race… to thank the teams for assisting with the race, and to acknowledge the invaluable service LandSAR provide in keeping us all safe in the outdoors.” This symbiotic relationship with LandSAR underscores how safety and community are at the heart of TMR’s ethos.
The Southern Crossing – 36 km of Wilderness Challenge
The Southern Crossing is the marquee race route: a roughly 36 km alpine crossing with over 2,300 m of vertical climb. What regular trampers normally take three days to walk, TMR racers attempt in a single day. The route is infamous for its relentless terrain – a seemingly endless rollercoaster of steep ridges, knee-deep mud, gnarly tree roots, and alpine tussock. As one veteran put it, “It’s much harder than the Southern Alps. More roots.” Another joked that in the Tararua, “you estimate it, then add about half a day” to your expected time. In other words, nothing comes easy in these mountains.
Brutal environment:
The Tararua Ranges weather is notoriously fickle and ferocious. On average, this area sees 200 days of rain and 160 days of gale-force wind each year. Dense cold mist “clag” often shrouds the tops, encrusting the stunted “goblin forest” in dripping moss and reducing visibility to a few meters. Even in summer, a fine morning can turn to driving hail on the tops with little warning. “Hail. I couldn’t move my hands. My mate said, ‘If we don’t keep moving, we’ll freeze.’ And I just thought, I’m in the company of nutters here,” recalled one racer about a past Tararua crossing. This harsh environment has tragically claimed 22 tramper lives since the 1970s, a sober reminder of the real risks involved. Every TMR participant must carry full emergency gear (jackets, thermal layers, first aid, etc.), and race officials enforce a strict cutoff time at Alpha Hut (approximately halfway) to ensure no one is caught on the exposed tops too late in the day.
Despite the challenges, the 2025 edition was blessed with a rare window of forgiving weather. For the second year in a row, “the weather gods smiled upon the Tararua Mountain Race,” granting racers clear skies and manageable winds for their journey across the tops (a lucky break not taken for granted in these ranges). That said, “manageable” in the Tararua is relative – the mud was still deep, the climbs no less punishing. As one competitor humorously described mid-race: “Flat on my back, looking at the sky. My quads cramping more than that time I had my workmates’ genuine homemade vindaloo.” Pain and exhaustion are guaranteed in this race; the question is only how each person finds the will to push through.
Race Day 2025: Across the Range from Dawn to Dusk
At 6:30am, the first wave of runners set off from Kaitoke. Ahead lies the Marchant Ridge, a long forested spine that accounts for the first 16 km to Alpha Hut – and over half of the day’s climbing. “Initially, the climb from Kaitoke is moderate, and if it hasn’t rained too much, it’s reasonably good underfoot,” the race briefing had promised. But “moderate” soon gives way to a steep grunt – and then the ridge proper: undulating, root-entangled, and seemingly never-ending. More than one runner has been fooled by false summits on Marchant. “Thank God we’re at the top. I’m knackered,” one racer gasped, only to hear from a Tararua veteran, “Oh, we haven’t started going up yet.” Such is the humour of those intimate with the route’s cruelty.
By late morning, faster racers in later waves are bounding up the trail, while slower entrants who started earlier grit their teeth to beat the cutoff. All must reach Alpha Hut (km 16) by 11.30am or be turned back. Orange-clad LandSAR volunteers and race marshals greet the runners at Alpha, checking their times and well-being. For many, cresting Alpha is a huge mental victory – the end of the oppressive bush and the start of the open tops. After hours cloaked in forest, they break out into alpine tussock and thin air, with sweeping views (on a clear day) of the Wairarapa and Kapiti Coast far below. But along with views comes exposure: the next 10 km traverse the highest section of the range, where even on this mild day the wind can bite. The course tags the 1,529 m summit of Mount Hector, marked by the famous memorial cross, then continues over undulating knobs to Kime Hut.
Kime Hut (24 km into the race) is nicknamed the “Ice box” for being a cold shelter in bad weather – but today it’s a welcome pit-stop where volunteers top up water bottles and encourage the weary. From Kime, it’s all downhill – which sounds easier than it is. The final 12 km descent to Ōtaki Forks punishes already-cramped legs with slippery rocks up high and knee-jarring rooty mud down lower . This year, though, every runner who made it past the tops was determined to finish. After clambering down through the last stretch of beech forest, they emerge onto the grassy river flats of Ōtaki Forks. A swing bridge over the Waiotauru River delivers them to the finish line, greeted by cheering supporters and fellow finishers.
One by one, mud-splattered but elated runners come in through the afternoon. The fastest individuals astonish onlookers by completing the traverse in around 5 to 6 hours, a testament to their mountain-honed fitness. (In 2025, local mountain runner Kate Annan emerged as the women’s champion of the Southern Crossing trail running nz.substack.com, while the men’s title was claimed in similarly blistering time by Jake McLellan) Many others take 8–9+ hours to cover the same ground, proving that in this race the clock is secondary to personal grit. “I was just on such a high that I managed to complete this mission,” said one exhausted finisher. “It was beyond anything I’ve done in terms of hardness. I was taken by the Tararua.”
Meanwhile, at the Ōtaki Forks end of the range, two shorter sister events were also in full swing. The Kelly Glass Kime Climb (24 km, ~1300 m ascent) saw runners charge up to Kime Hut from the Ōtaki side and back down, covering the final section of the main race route. And the Field Dash (13 km, 770 m ascent) offered an introductory challenge: a sprint (of sorts) from Ōtaki Forks up to historic Field Hut and back. Don’t be fooled by the shorter distances – those courses still feature plenty of steep, rooty Tararua mud to keep things interesting. Field Hut, built in 1924, is New Zealand’s oldest purpose-built tramping hut; turning around at that piece of history amid the goblin forest was a thrill for Field Dash runners. All three races share the same finish location at Ōtaki Forks, where an afternoon prizegiving brought everyone together to swap war stories after swimming in the river and eating sausages from the BBQ.
Tales from the Trail – Inspirational FinishersWhile the Tararua Mountain Race attracts elite competitors, it is equally defined by the everyday heroes who accomplish personal goals on its demanding course. 2025’s event produced several inspiring stories that speak to the heart of why people tackle this challenge:
Never Too Late: A 66-year-old local man became one of the oldest to complete the full Southern Crossing race. He had spent months training on the very trails he’d pig hunted on for decades. That preparation paid off as he steadily powered over Marchant Ridge and reached Alpha Hut with time to spare. He finished in just under 10 hours – tired, a sore foot from a bad spine early in the race, but triumphant. “I’ve been tramping these hills for over fifty years,” he said, “but doing it as a race at 66 was a whole new challenge. I’m sore as heck, and so happy!” His finish earned applause, proving age is no barrier to adventure for the determined. He exemplified the TMR spirit: resilient, prepared, and humble.
Chasing a Dream – An Early Start: Not everyone’s journey to the finish follows the same script. Deborah, a young woman from far-off Northland, had dreamed of the Tararua Mountain Race for years. However, she was concerned her pace might not beat the strict cutoff at Alpha Hut. The organisers, recognising her passion, granted her a special early 5:30am start – an hour before the official first wave – to give her extra time. Setting off in darkness, Deborah traversed the ridge by headlamp. “I was nervous asking for the early start, but I knew I needed every minute I could get,” she wrote in an email, “The organisers believed in me enough to let me try, and that alone was inspiring. I watched the sunrise from atop Marchant Ridge – absolutely magical – and it fueled me to keep pushing.” As the regular field caught up to her near Alpha Hut, Deborah found herself in good spirits and ahead of the cutoff. With renewed confidence, she pressed on with a smile. She ultimately crossed the finish line mid-afternoon to hugs and tears. “This race was my dream,” Deborah later shared. “Thanks to that early start, I got to chase it. The Tararua tested me in every way, but I never felt alone out there.” Her courage and gratitude are inspirational.
Ten Years to the Finish: For one Hawke’s Bay man, completing TMR was a decade-long ambition. Year after year, something – injuries, work, family – had kept Hugh from the start line, but 2025 was finally his year. He toed the line determined not to let the chance slip. Hugh pushed hard up Marchant Ridge but found himself perilously close to the cutoff time. “I reached Alpha Hut at about 11:21pm – nine minutes before they’d send me back,” he recounted, still emotional at the memory. The LandSAR crew at Alpha gave a cheer, and knowing he’d made it through lit a fire in him. He soldiered on across the tops and down to Ōtaki, becoming the final official finisher just before the course closure. As he stumbled across the bridge to the finish, volunteers cheered and announced he’d realised his ten-year dream. “It took me ten years to get here,” Hugh said, “and every step was worth it. I’ve never done anything this tough – or this rewarding.” Every finisher is a winner in their own right.
In addition to these individual stories, the sense of camaraderie was palpable throughout the day. Many competitors ran in teams of two (a nod to the race’s original teams format, done for safety), and even solo entrants often banded together for sections. One finisher’s Instagram post perhaps said it best: “If I was asked to create a perfect race experience, it would look like this. Hard yakka, epic scenery, and a community that has your back. I wanted to quit so many times, but everyone was just so supportive out there.” Indeed, the Tararua Mountain Race is as much about the people as the mountains. Long after the lactic acid fades, what participants remember are the moments helping a stranger up a slippery bank, the jokes shared over a swig of electrolytes at a hut, and the collective celebration of human spirit at the finish.(For a glimpse of the race-day atmosphere, see this Instagram story of a runner’s experience: Instagram post by @rebecca.kendall. Photos and videos from participants capture both the grueling climbs and the smiles at the finish line.)
Results and Reflections
By late afternoon, as the last finishers trickled in, the 2025 Tararua Mountain Race wound to a close. Under sunny skies (a minor miracle for the Tararua), the post-race prize giving and barbeque at Ōtaki Forks felt especially celebratory. Race directors thanked the dozens of LandSAR volunteers and mountain running community members who made the event possible. Each year, a portion of the race proceeds is donated to LandSAR as a token of gratitude – fitting for a race that truly could not happen without their watchful presence.
In the competitive ranks, Kate Annan was officially crowned the 2025 women’s champion, having dominated the course in impressive time trailrunningnz.substack.com. The men’s title was won by local mountain runner Jake Mclellan (who blazed in just over 5 hours). Team honors went to Tim Finn in the Men’s, Dream Team in the Women’s and “Cat and AJ” in the mixed category with a superb 7:36 crossing, as noted by Trail Running NZ’s coverage. But beyond the podium, every finisher earned immense respect. Out of starters, the majority completed the Crossing under their own power – a testament to preparation, prudent pacing, and perhaps a touch of mountain luck.
For those curious about the detailed timings and category results, the official 2025 results are available here https://tmr.org.nz/results . Scanning the results list, one appreciates the breadth of participants: hardy trampers-turned-runners, marathoners testing the trails, veterans returning from the past races, and newcomers inspired by the challenge. Finishing times ranged from just over 5 hours at the sharp end, to nearly 11 hours for the final finisher – each with their own epic journey across the range.
As the sun dipped and a chilly breeze picked up (a gentle reminder of the Tararua’ capricious mood), participants slowly made their way out of Ōtaki Forks, tired but fulfilled. Many already spoke of “next time” – either to improve their time or simply to relive the adventure. Others were content in the knowledge that they had conquered one of the country’s roughest routes and would have stories to tell for a lifetime.
In the end, the 2025 Tararua Mountain Race was more than just a race; it was a celebration of endurance, nature, and community. From its founding vision 30 years ago to its present-day revival, the spirit of TMR remains unchanged – it’s about ordinary people doing extraordinary things in a wild place. Whether you’re an aspirant plotting your first Tararua Crossing, or a past participant nostalgic about mud and “clag”, the Tararua Mountain Race offers a unique kind of inspiration. As one organizer succinctly put it while packing up the finish area: “These mountains have a way of showing people what they’re capable of. That’s why we do it.”
See you in 2026 for the next chapter of Tararua adventure – and don’t forget to pack your sense of humor along with your map and compass. After all, in a race with “real wilderness, real risk” and zero guarantee of good weather, a hearty laugh (and maybe a hardy goat or two) might be your best comfort on the trail. Until then, kia kaha to all our Tararua runners!
Race the historic tramping route The Southern Crossing,with the support of LandSAR
RACE DAY MARCH 14th 2026
Tararua Mountain race
20 per cent chance of sun,
10 per cent chance of no wind,
100 per cent chance of blood, sweat and tears.
Southern Crossing – Running from Kaitoke, Upper Hutt Hardcore to Otaki Forks.
Field Dash – An out-and-back to Field Hut from Otaki Forks
Kelly Glass Kime Climb – An out-and-back to Kime Hut from Otaki Forks
www.tmr.org.nz