Ruapehu Trail Festival

Ruapehu Trail Festival Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Ruapehu Trail Festival, Sports Event, Tongariro National Park, National Park.

The Ruapehu Trail Festival brings together three outstanding running and walking events in the Tongariro National Park: Ring of Fire, Tussock Traverse and a Super Exciting Event to be announced soon.

Like so many in our community, we’re feeling the weight of what’s happening in Tongariro National Park. The fire continu...
09/11/2025

Like so many in our community, we’re feeling the weight of what’s happening in Tongariro National Park. The fire continues to burn and our thoughts are with everyone working to protect the whenua, the taiao, and nearby communities.

A rāhui has been placed over parts of the park and the affected whenua by Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro. We respectfully ask that everyone follows this and that the area is given space for the ongoing response and protection efforts. You can read the full press release shared by our local iwi, Ngāti Rangi, here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17hQCRjyXw/

We know many of you are wondering what this means for our upcoming events, The Goat Tongariro, Tussock Traverse and Ring of Fire Volcanic Ultra & Relay. At this stage it’s too soon to know what, if any, impact there may be. Our focus is on supporting the mahi of Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Department of Conservation, and all those working tirelessly to keep people and the environment safe.

Once the fire is contained and it’s appropriate to do so, we’ll review the situation with the relevant agencies and share accurate information as it comes to hand.

For now, please follow all official updates from FENZ and DOC and avoid the affected areas. Let’s stand together in aroha and respect for the whenua and those caring for it.

Arohunui,

The Ohakune Events Charitable Trust

Ruapehu Trail Festival 2023 - that's a wrap!It's been four long years since the last Ring of Fire, and the world has cha...
13/03/2023

Ruapehu Trail Festival 2023 - that's a wrap!

It's been four long years since the last Ring of Fire, and the world has changed a lot. But what hasn't changed, is the passion and dedication of our trail running community.

Yesterday was truly phenomenal for me and the Victory Events team. To see you all at registration, excited and ready for action, then to watch you run, walk, or stumble down that finish chute made up for all of the hurdles we encountered when delivering this event.

While we are absolutely grateful for everyone who helped to make the festival happen, our biggest thanks goes to our competitors. You put your faith in us after all of the upheavals within the event industry and gave it all you had, leaving it all out on the trail. You were understanding of the changes that had to be made to the event, you were supportive of your fellow participants, and respectful to our crew. It is all about you and this crazy thing we love, and we did it together. Thank you.

Our sponsors, Iwi partners, and regional partners were an integral part of the Ruapehu Trail Festival 2023. You had our back and had faith that we would deliver these incredible events and keep our participants safe no matter what. Your support is so appreciated, we consider ourselves very lucky and look forward to working with you again on the next one!

Lastly, and very importantly, thank you to our devoted and passionate crew, there are none better than you. Lack of sleep, missed meals, all-weather, and long days don't phase you, you just get on with it and make it happen to a high quality every time. Luke Garea, your eye for detail, ability to juggle at least 300 things at once, cool, calm, and collected management style, and passion for these events is incomparable. I appreciate everything you do.

I'm still buzzing, and will be for weeks to come. Thank you all so much.

See you next year!

Jason Cameron
Victory Events

Ruapehu NZ Mt Ruapehu Ruapehu District Council La Sportiva New Zealand Raidlight NZ Fenixlight LEKI True Fleece Merino Tailwind Nutrition NZ Topodry Squadrun Department of Conservation Ngāti Hikairo Tongariro - Natural Spring Water Project Tongariro Mahi Aroha

Your photos are online now at Photos4sale https://photos4sale.co.nz/Pay What You Want!The P4S team is incredible! Thank ...
12/03/2023

Your photos are online now at Photos4sale https://photos4sale.co.nz/

Pay What You Want!

The P4S team is incredible! Thank you all so much for these fabulous images from yesterday's events 🤩😍😎

Ruapehu NZ Ruapehu District Council

It's been a long time coming, but finally, we have been able to bring New Zealand's toughest alpine ultra, the Ring of F...
11/03/2023

It's been a long time coming, but finally, we have been able to bring New Zealand's toughest alpine ultra, the Ring of Fire, back to Tongariro National Park. 😁

The last Ring of Fire event was held in 2019. Little did we know at the time that the C word (which shall not be named) would force the cancellation of the event just one-week out in 2020. ☣️

Among lockdowns and border closures, it seemed that the Ring of Fire would never return, and was once again canceled in 2022 due to event restrictions.

Then came the creation of the Ruapehu Trail Festival concept which would incorporate the Ring of Fire with the Tussock Traverse to be held during one weekend in 2023. What a great way to pool resources and bring a wide range of participants together at the same time.

Added into the mix, a unique concept race called the Sky Waka Vertical Challenge. Things were looking exciting, and Victory Events decided to forge ahead.

Then came the voluntary administration of the Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, the company that operates the Sky Waka. 😥 With the facilities closing down for the foreseeable future, Victory Events had to cancel the vertical event and Awards Ceremony, but held fast to the Ring of Fire and Tussock Traverse.

You wouldn't believe it when, in early February 2023, the historic Chateau Tongariro Hotel, the base of operations for the Ruapehu Trail Festival, closed its doors... we couldn't believe it either.

The Victory Events crew, now experts in plans A through to Z, got into action securing alternate venues, services, and accommodation providers for their crew.

Participants got to work sourcing accommodation for themselves and their supporters, luckily, there is plenty on offer in the Ruapehu Region and most people found a replacement provider.

The Department of Conservation which manages the land around the Chateau Tongariro came to the rescue, giving Victory Events access to the land, and neighbouring Tussock Tavern during event weekend.

Ngāti Hikairo built on their support of the event and became hosts of the Ring of Fire Awards Ceremony as well as the Pōwhiri which opened the event on Friday morning.

Visit Ruapehu pulled out all the stops and gave extra assistance with promoting the event and supporting the organisers.

Event sponsors stuck by us, local businesses supported us.

And now we're here.

Jason is at the finish line for the Ruapehu Trail Festival - Ring of Fire 2023 and Ruapehu Trail Festival - Tussock Traverse 2023 events with our buddies, Ali and Ben, welcoming our participants through the finish chute.

THIS is why we do it.
THIS is why you sign up.
THIS is life lived to the fullest.
THIS is the Ruapehu Trail Festival.



Ruapehu NZ Department of Conservation Mountain Adventure, La Sportiva New Zealand, Raidlight NZ, Fenixlight, LEKI, True Fleece Merino Tailwind Nutrition NZ Squadrun Topodry Mt Ruapehu Ruapehu District Council

Registration is humming along here at the Tussock Tavern! See you today before 8pm, or tomorrow morning from 5:40am to 8...
10/03/2023

Registration is humming along here at the Tussock Tavern! See you today before 8pm, or tomorrow morning from 5:40am to 8:40am.

Our merino merchandise sponsor, True Fleece Merino gear is available to try on so you can order the correct size online for delivery post-event!

Check out product from our sponsors, Mountain Adventure: La Sportiva New Zealand, Raidlight NZ, Fenixlight, LEKI.

Topodry

Tailwind Nutrition NZ

And Green Monkey

The scene for the Ruapehu Trail Festival was well and truly set this morning, with a Pōwhiri from Ngāti Hikairo with Kur...
10/03/2023

The scene for the Ruapehu Trail Festival was well and truly set this morning, with a Pōwhiri from Ngāti Hikairo with Kura Toi - Te Kura O Hirangi, Turangi at Otūkou Marae.

Thank you so much for hosting us here, in your special place. To begin the event with the Pōwhiri, and end on Sunday with the ROF Awards Ceremony back at Otūkou Marae means so much to us.

We feel very privileged to be able to enjoy this land ❤️

Ruapehu NZ

This weekend is all about having a good time at the Ruapehu Trail Festival, and we want you to come across that line wit...
09/03/2023

This weekend is all about having a good time at the Ruapehu Trail Festival, and we want you to come across that line with a big smile, or even happy tears, on your face after an epic day on the trails throughout the beautiful Tongariro National Park. ⛰

Here are a few key tips we want you to remember for the big day:

1. Be prepared for the conditions - it is an alpine mountain environment and extreme weather changes can happen anytime. You must carry the compulsory gear and fluid during the race.
2. HYDRATION: Aim for a minimum of 500ml per hour, regardless of weather, variety of fluids including water and electrolytes.
Check out Tailwind Nutrition NZ at registration.
3. Have a varied intake of NUTRITION - carbohydrates and real food
4. Pack warm clothes and a range of food to celebrate your success at the finish line.
5. Always look out for each other 🫂

Who is ready to experience epic trails, stunning scenery, cheery volunteers and finish line emotions?😁

Experience stunning mountain views of Mount Ngauruhoe, Mount Tongariro, and Mount Ruapehu when riding on the Sky Waka go...
08/03/2023

Experience stunning mountain views of Mount Ngauruhoe, Mount Tongariro, and Mount Ruapehu when riding on the Sky Waka gondola. 🚡 🌄

The gondola travels from the Top of the Bruce base area directly to the Knoll Ridge Chalet, where you can stretch your legs with a walk, or fill your belly with some delicious food whilst enjoying the amazing view! 🍴 ⛰

Find out more here 👉 https://bit.ly/3QMuDrO

📸 via Mt Ruapehu

You know you’re tapering when…🔥 you’re constantly hungry.🔥 you’re having dreams that you show up to the race start in yo...
07/03/2023

You know you’re tapering when…

🔥 you’re constantly hungry.
🔥 you’re having dreams that you show up to the race start in your underwear or without your running shoes.
🔥 you’re cranky from not running.
🔥 you find yourself frequently saying, “after the race…”
🔥 you keep flip-flopping between wishing the race was tomorrow and thinking it would be great to have a few more weeks of training.
🔥 you’ve completely lost focus at work.
🔥 you’re convinced you’ve gained 10 pounds since you started tapering.
🔥 you obsessively check the weather forecast for race day.

Tell us how the tapering is going for you at the moment. 🫵

Check out these HOT beauties! 🔥🤩Every finisher of the RING OF FIRE and TUSSOCK TRAVERSE event distances will receive a p...
06/03/2023

Check out these HOT beauties! 🔥🤩

Every finisher of the RING OF FIRE and TUSSOCK TRAVERSE event distances will receive a pair of limited edition Socks and one special finisher medal!

As part of Victory Events ongoing support of Project Tongariro Mahi Aroha, at the time of entering, participants can opt-out of receiving a medal and a native tree will be planted in the region instead. 🌲

Entrants can also choose to make specific one off donations to Project Tongariro during the online entry process.

You got this!
"The only failure is not to try!"

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