Ruapehu Set to Establish New International Adventure Event

On behalf of the Ruapehu Ring of Fire Volcanic Relay, Solo Ultra and Marathon

Ruapehu Set to Establish New International Adventure Event

The inaugural Ruapehu Ring of Fire Volcanic Relay, Solo Ultra and Marathon will take place on Saturday 7 April 2018 based from the Chateau Tongariro in Whakapapa Village in the Tongariro National Park, a dual world heritage area.

The event has been more than eighteen months in the planning with support given by Iwi surrounding Mount Ruapehu including Ngati Hikairo, Ngati Uenuku and Ngati Rangi. It is the natural evolution of the two existing off road running events on the mountain – the annual Goat Tongariro and Tussock Traverse that take place on the iconic Round the Mountain track.

Event options for the Ruapehu Ring of Fire will include the 72km three leg relay, an epic 72km Solo Ultra and a 45km Adventure Marathon. The Relay and Solo Ultra events will involve a full circumnavigation of the mountain on the iconic Round the Mountain track starting and finishing at the historic Chateau Tongariro Hotel.

The event is expected to attract up to 800 athletes in its first year including 100 internationals; growing into over 1,000 athletes in subsequent years.

The event has been created by The Event Collective, a collaborative of some of New Zealand’s best off road adventure event directors: Jason Cameron (The Goat Adventure Run & Tussock Traverse), Nick Reader (Ruapehu Express) and Tim Day and Paul Charteris (Tarawera Ultra Marathon, Tarawera Trail Marathon & 50km and the Waitomo Trail Run).

Ruapehu Mayor Don Cameron said that the Ruapehu District Council in conjunction with Visit Ruapehu were both excited about the opportunity to be involved with the Ruapehu Ring of Fire Ultra, Marathon and Relay and what we believe will become an iconic international signature-sporting event for the Ruapehu region.

“With its strong conservation values and commitment to respecting the cultural heritage of the area the Ruapehu Ring of Fire Ultra, Marathon and Relay is the perfect fit for the dual World Heritage status Tongariro National Park where the event will take place,” said Mayor Cameron.

“We look forward to welcoming participants and their supporters to Ruapehu in April 2018 in what will be a truly unique New Zealand experience.”

Jason Cameron of The Event Collective said “having organised events in the region since 2004, the Ruapehu Ring of Fire event will be the most challenging and exciting event we have been involved with in the Park and we are committed to developing this into a world renowned event for Ruapehu and New Zealand”.

“We are looking forward to working with local Iwi and other community groups to make this an authentic and memorable experience for international and national visitors alike and are delighted to have the support of the Ruapehu District Council and Visit Ruapehu to enable this event to be launched”, said Jason Cameron.

The Ruapehu Ring of Fire is being launched this weekend at the Ultra Trail Australia event being staged in the Blue Mountains near Sydney and part of the Ultra Trail World Tour.

Entries will officially open on Monday 10 July at 9am NZ time at www.rof.co.nz.

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