In February 2017, the American runner Jim Walmsley arrived in Rotorua New Zealand ready to race the Tarawera Ultramarathon. This 102km point-to-point trail ultra takes place in New Zealand’s North Island and is has a reputation as a fast runnable course.
After a series of stunning results in his home country, Walmsley was voted 2016 North American ultra runner of the year. Outside Magazine said Jim is quickly becoming the best ultra runner on the planet.
Over the previous eight years, the Tarawera Ultramarathon has attracted some of the best runners in the world to race. The men’s course record was held by Californian ultra runner, Dylan Bowman, in a time of 7hr 44min 58 seconds.
For Walmsley to beat that time he’d have to dispatch some of the best ultra runners in the world, including defending champion and 2015 100k world champion Jonas Buud from Sweden. Australia speedster David Byrne who placed second last year is back again. Gediminas Grinius – who won the 2016 Ultra Trail World Tour together with fellow countryman Andrius Ramonas. Also in the mix was rising Kiwi sensation Sam McCutcheon and the legendary American runner Michael Wardian who just ran seven marathons on seven continents in the pervious week.
Following a traditional haka challenge before daylight, the runners are off and Jim attempts to run his way into the record books.
