Race Report: Maggie Dobson at UTMB Tarawera
This race report first appeared in the March 2026 edition of the SSG Multisports newsletter.
Entering a race often starts at an after exercise coffee” with a group of crazies. This was the case for UTMB Tarawera 2026. In July 2025, a group of us were sitting at the Mt Cootha Coffee Van and suddenly accommodation in Rotorua was booked for the next year.
Thanks to hip and back pain I was always going to go for the shorter distance. Walking is now my main movement option. Thanks to Paul S, my friend Kim and my sister Mary I managed to keep a regular exercise program including gym, fast walking and some deep water (yawn) running.
Arriving in Rotorua was an escape from the Brisbane heat and humidity. Check in and being in the whole expo environment brought back some good triathlon memories. I was so excited and distracted I forgot my passport and my phone on the check in desk.
On Friday, it started to rain and rain and rain. We received a couple of these loud alarms sent to our phones to warn us about flooding. I wasn’t particularly worried because Shena Dale’s wise words You are not a newspaper” reminded me that I would not dissolve. I might have felt differently if I was doing the miler.
Race morning rolled around and I added an extra pair of socks in a drybag to my pack. The race only started at 10:22am which was probably the only tricky thing I had to consider (usually we are finished and heading home by this time). There was the usual getting to the start line and waiting around.
Mentally I’ve stopped beating myself up about being slow”, so when it was time to go, I just put one foot in front of the other. Left foot then right foot then repeat!
The first 12 kms were fantastic, easy tracks, beautiful forest and some open areas. Then came the hill and the MUD! My strength work in the gym paid off as did the good shoes (I would happily sell Topo shoes to everyone. They were brilliant.) Downhill was trickier and my short little legs struggled on the huge uneven steps. The fast guys just make it look so easy. Mountain goatlike.
The last 5kms took us through the smelly hot pools and were the most emotional for me. I switched airplane mode off on my phone and a message popped up to tell me that my lovely neighbour of 12 years Tula, had passed away. I dedicated those last kms to her.
The finishing chute was a mud bath. I could have swum it and in usual trail running style, the 21km was 23.2km 😊
Would I do it again YES!!!!!!
Comments