Tarawera Ultramarathon by UTMB 2023 (TUM103k) | MY FIRST 100K | RAW RACE VLOG

#running #tarawera #trailrunning
IN THIS VIDEO
It was a case of third time lucky as I lined up for the 2023 Tarawera Ultramarathon by UTMB 103k race.
After having to defer my entry from 2021 and 2022 due to the Covid pandemic, the day had arrived to tackle my first 100k race.
And I could not have chosen a better location to attempt it.
The trails around Rotorua in New Zealand are stunning and hopefully in this video I have been able to capture their beauty. Some wet weather leading up to race day had meant a change to the course and a little more distance than the advertised 102k, but it didn't matter
It was a tough day out there for me, but I completed my goal.
See how it all unfolded in this raw race vlog. I know it is longer than my normal videos, but it's not easy to condense about an 18-hour day into a short video.
I would love your feedback on whether you liked this format or not.
I hope you enjoy the video, and don't forget to leave a comment down below.
If you like this video please hit that like button, comment and share with your running buddies. And please consider subscribing to the channel to see many more running adventures.
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Channel video No.: 366

[@juhanikurula3632]

A great race and the nice video about beautiful terrain

[@runwithwoody]

Thank you Juhani.

[@craigtribolet7266]

Awesome Neil, thank you so much for sharing your incredible effort

[@runwithwoody]

Thanks Craig. Appreciate you following along and watching the video.

[@iancollinge2254]

great work Neil, super effort 💪👍🏻

[@runwithwoody]

Thanks Ian.

[@angelanorthover5151]

Sooooo good!!! Inspiring! Well done

[@runwithwoody]

Thanks Angela.

[@parmeshmoodley5514]

A very well don Neil.Congrats bud

[@runwithwoody]

Cheers Parmesh. Thank you.

[@jefflessenberry6632]

Big Congrats! One quick question... around the 22min mark you said your legs are so cactus 🌵. I like the phrase ... just want to make sure I use it right. Can you explain?

[@runwithwoody]

Thanks Jeff. The phrase "Legs are so cactus", basically means my legs are stuffed. 'I'm cactus' or 'it's cactus' is a well used term here in Oz.

[@Rich_1]

So inspirational! Thx for sharing. definitely keen to run the full 100 one day

[@runwithwoody]

It's a great track. You won't be disappointed. 👍

[@KellyPerazzolo]

Congratulations Neil, huge shift 💪 I'm attempting this next year 😅

[@runwithwoody]

It's a great event with stunning scenery. You won't be disappointed. 👍

[@steveroth686]

I from L.A. visited Rotarua 3 times in the early 90s. Some of the course looks like it runs through Hell’s Gate.

[@runwithwoody]

Hi Steve, I think I spent most of that 100k in Hell's Gate🤣🤣 But it's stunning right through area. A great trail race and I've been fortunate to run that area twice now.

[@yomango35]

In New York this year we have 200 KM , are you in Mate ??")))))) Anyway , congratulation , well done !

[@runwithwoody]

Hi Philippe, I'm going to leave that one for your. 100 was enough for me for now.

[@richlyons5567]

Do you always run holding you gopro or secure it to your race pack when you’re not filming?

[@runwithwoody]

Hi Rich, I always carry it.

[@shaunnicholson5389]

Just brilliant and really captured the day (and course). I certainly took a few more hours to get the job done than you but always happy to finish!

[@matthewfreese1597]

Haha, he beat me too. Nice work!

[@runwithwoody]

Great job getting it done Shaun. I thoroughly enjoyed the day, the course, the volunteers, etc. You planning on going back next year?

[@runwithwoody]

Well done to you too Matthew. Hope you enjoyed it.

[@shaunnicholson5389]

@@runwithwoody Hey Neil, going to do the Alps to Ocean bike ride with the wife so most likely will go to Tarawera and support/crew some mates doing the 100. What about you? If they reinstate the original course it would be good! Not sure they will get the slip sorted though...sadly.

[@yuvanshankar8577]

Congratulations 👏 how old are you?

[@runwithwoody]

Thanks mate. I am a few months shy of 57.

[@yuvanshankar8577]

Is there any age limitation to run at World record pace with eliud kipchoge ?

[@wideawake914]

He just smiled and gave me a vegamite sandwich.

[@runwithwoody]

🤣🤣I come from a land Down Under 🎶🎶🎶

[@martinleat8319]

What are you wearing in Paris ??? Nike vapour flys or Saucony

[@runwithwoody]

If only I could get to Paris.

[@martinleat8319]

@@runwithwoody don’t know how that happened.That message was for film my run But I am enjoying your channel

[@simonkluckow8920]

Congratulations Neil. Looks like you got a proper 100k experience. Good on ya 💪🏼

[@runwithwoody]

Thanks Simon. I got my money's worth, that's for sure. It was a lot of fun - mostly!

[@markphilpottultra]

Well done Neil, terrific effort, and thank you for being considerate of the volunteers and my fellow Kiwi's. The first is done, and now you can plot the way to No 2......rest well.

[@runwithwoody]

Thanks Mark. Those volunteers are amazing, they have a knack of lifting your spirits. Their energy was incredible. Not sure about No.2!

[@ykgarunningjourneyjournal.3272]

Valiant effort, Neil! It’s done! You completed it! Thank you so much for sharing your trail run. I love that it’s real, honest & raw. Thanks for that.

[@runwithwoody]

Thanks mate. I really appreciate you taking the time to watch it. I'm sure I will watch it back in a few years with great memories.

[@franklehouillier8865]

Fantastic achievement. Congratulations!

[@runwithwoody]

Cheers, thanks Frank.

[@BigfootRunning]

Well done Neil 😎💪

[@runwithwoody]

Cheers Bigfoot.

[@jasonphillips4775]

Congratulations 🥳 once again Mate, I thoroughly enjoy your race recap and I’m glad you decided to leave it around the 30 minute mark as there was way to much great content to be able to shorten it. Keep up the great work and it was an absolute blast being able to share so many kilometres with you as it made my bad day more bearable being able to chat to someone I knew and was a fantastic distraction so thank you for that and I’m so happy for you that you achieved your goal 💪🏆🥳

[@runwithwoody]

Cheers Jason. I've been fortunate to meet some great people, like yourself, because of this channel and that's the great things about it, bringing people together that may never had meet. All the best with what's coming up and I hope our paths cross again.

[@alanshrimpton6787]

Well done Neil. Thanks for bringing the camera. Can't say I remember seeing much scenery. That loop was a horror. I was so much hoping it was short when I saw the fast runners coming past but it wasn't so short after all. Now I'm thinking of doing the UTMB Kosci50 in December 🤔

[@runwithwoody]

Hi Alan, sounds like you have caught the trail running bug. Heard some great report from Kosci from last year, so that would be a good one. It was great to catch up with you again.

[@upward-trend]

Great video Neil and well done. This is the best TUM 103 race video I have seen so far. I found it even more interesting as you were in the same category as me, it was my first 100k race too, and your times were fairly similar to mine most of the day. I felt good most of the way, however I was a bit cooked doing the long flat section to and from village green in the sun. You were ahead of me all the way to Puarenga and I must have past you on the way to Rotokakahi. I too put on my headlamp about 2k from Tikitapu. I was getting some stomach issues after Tikitapu (2nd pass) which then slowed me down, and you must have passed me back on the 2nd time to Redwoods. Had a absolutely awesome great day, and will save your video to show others as I did not do any filming. Thanks again.

[@runwithwoody]

Thanks mate. Gee, we must have been so close through the whole race. I agree, that run to and from the Village Green knocked me too. Maybe it was a mental battle rather than a physical one, knowing we had to run to the finish only to leave it again for another 50 odd KMs. Appreciate you watching the video. It is one of the most stunning places to run, it was just brilliant.

[@pauldivers5786]

Huge congrats Neil. Has been terrific to follow your preparations for this one over recent months and I'm sure you've inspired many of us to pursue our own running goals. And thanks for sharing so much of your race experience at Tarawera. Was great to meet you and Trish in Rotorua. Hope you had a great time over here in NZ, despite our unseasonal weather!

[@runwithwoody]

Hi Paul, it was great to meet you. It was so good of you to come out to Redwoods late at night after your run, it gave me that final boost to get to the finish. I have absolutely loved my 2 trips to the Tarawera trails, and I'll be singing this event's praises to anyone who is just a littler interested in doing it. The weather, we that was out of our control, so it was nice to spend a few down days in Auckland.

[@davidmichie]

Good on you Neil. I did the TUM21 much to the dismay of my running buddies from the Byron Bay Runners, two of whom did the miler.

[@runwithwoody]

Good stuff David. My wife did the TUM21 as well and loved it. Those miler runners are hardcore - I was done at the finish and could not fathom going on for another 60k!

[@smkelly68]

Well done Neil! Great effort and great video! You captured some beautiful scenery, the feeling of the event and dome great moments moments like watching your watch tick over to 100k and your run into the finish. You managed to capture Róisín‘s well done encouragement as well. Thanks for sharing your journey!

[@runwithwoody]

Hi Sean, hope you are well. Thanks for checking out the video. It's a beautiful part of the world, the scenery helps to take your mind of the pain... well, sometimes.

[@Bwebber99]

Well done Neil thanks for the video, running a marathon is tough but running 102kms in hills sounds impossible for most of us, thanks for bringing the video along

[@runwithwoody]

Cheers Bevan. Thanks for watching, I really appreciate it.

[@runningfromthedog]

Great video mate! Truly inspiring!! Really want to do Tarawera someday!

[@runwithwoody]

Thanks mate. You won't be disappointed if you do Tarawera, it's stunning. 👍

[@johnnycleary5369]

Well done buddy, especially for keeping going when the wheels were wobbling 👍👏👏👊

[@runwithwoody]

Cheers mate. The wheels are a little better aligned now, so heading in the right direction. 👍

[@rogierbackx9767]

Brilliant! A tough one but you should be proud of yourself. Time to give your body a bit of a break after a great year of running achievements.

[@runwithwoody]

Thanks Rogier. Great advice, I have done very little since race day - a couple of parkrun 5ks and that's it. The body is appreciating some down time.

[@Bwebber99]

Well done Neil thanks for the video, running a marathon is tough but running 102kms in hills sounds impossible for most of us, thanks for bringing the video along

[@runwithwoody]

👍

[@pierrethissen3759]

Well done Neil. Enjoyed watching this. A distance I wouldn’t even dare to consider

[@runwithwoody]

Thanks Pierre. I doubt I'll ever see triple figures again either!

[@Greg-me8le]

Great run. What an accomplishment. The redwoods must have been beautiful in person.

[@runwithwoody]

Thanks Greg. The video doesn't do justice to the Redwoods, they are amazing trees.

[@MikeConacher]

Brilliant! That's some serious grit and resilience there! So inspiring, Neil!

[@runwithwoody]

Cheers Mike. I just wanted to get to the finish line. I was so glad when I saw that finish chute.

[@RunThePlanet]

Cracking job Neil !! Well done, well put together video, and such a scenic route.

[@runwithwoody]

Thanks mate, really appreciate you taking the time to watch the video. It's an amazing place to run.

[@ROCLIFER]

What an amazing blog, Neil. Congratulations on an epic run. I liked the way you pushed yourself on when it got hard. A sense of humor and a positive attitude really helps to offset the discomforts of a long run!

[@runwithwoody]

Thanks JC, I'm glad you liked it. I really appreciate you watching the video and for your support along the way.

[@michelleharnett1351]

Awesome effort. And lots of nostalgia - I used to live In Rotorua and train on all those trails and I've done the half and the 50.

[@runwithwoody]

Hi Michelle, it's great event and the trails are spectacular. I did the 50 a few years before. Highly recommend to anyone considering it.

[@barendgeldenhuys9451]

Congrats. it was good to meet you at the check in also. Glad you finishe and thank you for the video.

[@runwithwoody]

Cheers mate. Thanks for coming up and saying hello. Hope your race went well and you are enjoying the recovery.

[@philrichards6872]

WOOHOO , you did it Neil, it was awesome to share some of it with you and like me I'm sure you're wanting to master the 2nd half , well done champ.

[@runwithwoody]

Thanks Phil, great to run with you. Some lessons learned to take forward if there is to be a next time.

[@mattmillener9593]

Fantastic effort Neil- congratulations! All the hard work paid off.

[@runwithwoody]

Cheers Matt. It was a great day, mostly enjoyable. I was just super happy to get to the finish.

[@wojtekjedrzejczak4366]

Awesome coverage! You brought me back to the 102k course again - thanks🙂

[@runwithwoody]

Thanks mate. It's a stunning course.

[@jonathanwatkins447]

Wow. Incredible run Neil. Looked so beautiful. Well done mate

[@runwithwoody]

Thanks Jonathan. I am extremely thankful for your support during this Tarawera series.

[@johnwright8267]

Congrats Neil a great race in a great place, really enjoyed your race commentary well done enjoy your rest👍

[@runwithwoody]

The John. Those trails are special and highly recommend this event to anyone considering it.

[@ericwehmueller87]

Congratulations Neil 🍻, Enjoy the moment 👏 👍

[@runwithwoody]

Thanks Eric.

[@rebeccaesat7260]

Congratulations Neil! Great run and great video, really enjoyed it.

[@runwithwoody]

Thanks Bec. You need to put that one on your bucket list. You would love it.

[@ricklarkin-wg2ik]

Congratulations Neil - thanks for the continued great content👍

[@runwithwoody]

Cheers Rick. Thanks for your support.

[@mickeymcgrath2996]

Brilliant achievement,and what a beautifull course

[@runwithwoody]

Cheers Mickey, it's a beautiful place to run.

[@DavidBaak]

Hung in there, got through the rough parts and finished it: amazing!

[@runwithwoody]

Thanks David. I got pretty much the whole 100k experience. Not sure I'm in a hurry to do another one.

[@alfredoedita7825]

Epic dude! I did the 50k, great to see your take on the 100!

[@runwithwoody]

Great stuff Dylan, hope you enjoyed it. Up to the 102k next year?

[@kelvinmoncrieff2332]

Kia ora nice mate!!!!!! Congrats!!! Looks so amazing!!!!!!!!!!!

[@runwithwoody]

Cheers Kelvin. It was a stunning place to run.

[@G_Widdicombe]

Well done! Great running and being able to push through when things were getting tough.

[@runwithwoody]

Thanks Graydon, it was a battle, but an enjoyable one.

[@justanoldfashionedrunner605]

a race for the ages, what a beautiful course, congratulations Neil for toughing it out and getting it done

[@runwithwoody]

Cheers mate. It was just as good as I remembered from 2020 - just twice as far🤣🤣Strangely enough, I really enjoyed it.

[@graemefaulds1764]

Amazing stuff Neil. A true inspiration

[@runwithwoody]

Cheers mate. You're up next.

[@peterm5877]

💪💪 You had to earn that one Neil. Good work mate.

[@runwithwoody]

Cheers Peter. It was a tough one, but it was a mostly enjoyable day.

[@SharpBlade32]

Congrats. You have done it. Nice video.

[@runwithwoody]

Thank you very much.

[@s.91.a]

Great work mate!!

[@runwithwoody]

Thank you. Cheers!

[@MyTroy84]

Well done Neil

[@runwithwoody]

Cheers Troy.