Tracing the trails of Tarawera in a 60th celebration

Embracing her 60th birthday by running her first marathon, local Sue Moore is launching into a race from geyser to volcano in the Tarawera Trail Marathon held in Rotorua during November.  

“Participating in the Tarawera Trail Marathon is my way of celebrating turning 60 in October and the fact that I can even consider doing such a crazy thing makes it a milestone,” Sue explains.

Two years ago, Sue’s personal trainer suggested she do more cardio, so she kicked her smoking habits and traded it in for her running shoes, which have seen her become hooked to trail running.  

“I just love the feeling of being so immersed in the environment, in nature - that amazing feeling of being a part of it,” she says.


Christchurch local, Sue Moore is hard at training for her first marathon, the Tarawera Trail Marathon held in Rotorua this November. Photo courtesy of Shine PR.

“I was definitely hooked from the moment I started. When I stand on the top of a hill, that I had earlier stood at the bottom of, I can’t help but feel grateful that I can do this – it always reminds me why I run and how lucky I am that I can.

“It makes me realise how much I would be missing if I didn’t run, I truly do feel blessed,” Sue adds.
Having never run a marathon before, Sue entered the event on a limb, prompted by a believing friend and encouraged by the stunning trails the event traces.


The Tarawera Trail marathon and 50km starts in front of Pohutu Geyser in the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley, Te Puia, Rotorua. Runners running through thermal landscape. Photo © Graeme Murray.

“I’d run a couple of trails in Nelson and kept raving to friends about how great it was. A friend sent the Tarawera Trail Marathon website through to me and my initial reaction was to laugh, but as I looked a little closer I became interested and before I could think about it too hard, I had entered,” she says.
“What I’m most excited about is having the opportunity to be immersed in such an amazing environment - the places I get to run have definitely been a key motivator for me – and this one is pretty special.

A spectacular point-to-point course, the Tarawera Trail Marathon is unlike anything else in the world, starting at the world famous Pohutu Geyser shooting 30 metres into the air, and finishing at the soothing waters of Hot Water Beach on Lake Tarawera.


Runners descend along Lake Tarawera as the volcano (Mt Tarawera) looms large in the distance. Photo © Graeme Murray.

“I don’t compare myself to others and I generally end up running on my own – at this stage I’m not a fast runner but I’m determined and that has always got me across the finish line,” says Sue.

“During training, my focus has been on keeping my body healthy and strong, working on endurance, not speed.

“A big source of my motivation for the Tarawera Trail Marathon is knowing that I’m in it for the experience and the fun.”