Tea and Scones During Marathon

By Travel New Zealand —— Bio and Archives November 2, 2015

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What happens if you take Rotorua, New Zealand’s North Island home of spectacular scenery, geothermal activity, lakes and forests, add in a cultural heritage that’s been nurtured for hundreds of years, and then drop in over 1000 local and international runners? You get a trail running experience like no other.

The Tarawera Trail Marathon and 50km is a spectacular point-to-point race from geyser to volcano – and this year, it happens on November 14. The event takes the runners along a geothermal pathway, retracing one of New Zealand’s most important historical routes, while showcasing five stunning lakes – with the finish line at Hot Water Beach on the shores of Lake Tarawera. Early in the 19th century, missionaries came to Rotorua to spread the message of Christianity. A mission station was built in the fertile valley of Te Wairoa on the western side of Lake Tarawera, and it was here that an English-style village was established. In 1886, Mount Tarawera erupted and several Maori villages in the area were buried under burning mud. The area has since been excavated and re-named the Buried Village – and is one of New Zealand’s most visited cultural sites. As runners and walkers make their way through the village, they are treated to a 19th century Devonshire Tea aid station. Dressed in original 19th century frocks, the women from the Buried Village hand out hot tea, scones, jam and freshly whipped cream as a part of this unique race. For those who mark their calendars and make their travel plans according to which upcoming marathons they want to run, the next Tarawera Trail Marathon is on November 12, 2016. Website: Blog: Twitter: