Auckland based Japanese runner Konoka Azumi is back to defend her TMiler title at this weekend’s Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB.
The elite line-ups are arguably the strongest in the event’s 16-year history and Azumi looks the clear favourite on the women’s side for the TMiler which is over 100-miles/163km and begins at 4:00am local time on Saturday 15 February.
Taking place in Rotorua in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, it could hardly be much closer for Azumi and she’s relishing the test ahead.
Added incentive
She said: “There’s certainly some pressure, but I see it more as an honour to take on this challenge as the defending champion. I’m also quite excited and motivated.
“Personally, I wasn’t entirely satisfied with my performance last year, so I’m keen to see how much I can improve this time.
“I’m really looking forward to running alongside so many amazing athletes. The energy at Tarawera is always incredible—the support from the crowd and fellow runners is something special, and it gives me a huge boost.”
As well as defending her title, another race goal for Azumi is to secure qualification into next year’s UTMB – which she will do if she finishes as one of the top three females in the TMiler.
“Securing a UTMB qualification would be amazing if I can make it – it’s such a great opportunity on the world stage. But more than anything, I’m purely excited to see how much I can push myself beyond my past performances,” she said.
Incredible comeback
Joining Azumi on the TMiler start line is experienced ultra runner Hillary Allen (USA), who has made her way back to elite sport after falling 150 feet off a cliff during a race in 2017. Since then, she has racked up several wins and podiums and is set to make her Tarawera debut on Saturday.
“This is my first time racing in New Zealand and my first time in New Zealand,” said Allen. “I’ve been really enjoying my time here – I even got to go to the South Island for a bit to do my final training prep for the race. It’s been a welcome reprieve from the negative temperatures and snow back home in Colorado.
“I’ve been told so much about this race – the atmosphere, the welcoming community, the culture and the beautiful trails – that I had to come and experience them for myself.”
Like Azumi, Allen is aiming to run a strong and well executed race in the hopes of securing a spot on the UTMB start line again in 2026, with the top three female and male finishers in the TMiler, T102, and T50 all qualifying directly for the 2026 UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix, France.
“Securing qualification into next year’s UTMB is a goal of mine, but my goal, first and foremost, is to run a great race, to the best of my abilities,” she said.
“To me, a successful race is how I handle the ups and the inevitable downs during a race – how I can show up with a problem-solving mindset and solve the problems that arise on race day to keep moving forward.”
Azumi and Allen will face competition from New Zealand based runners Katie Wright (GBR), who has the full set of TMiler medals to her name, and Naomi Brand (ZAF), alongside 2022 TMiler runner-up Kimino Miyazaki (JPN).
Harvey looking to go one better
In the men’s TMiler race, Kiwi Sam Harvey will line up as the favourite after finishing second last year and recently securing victory in the 100-mile race at Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB.
“I’m fitter and faster than I have ever been, so the preparation has gone well off the back of a massive 2024,” said Harvey. “The win at Kosci was great, but it wasn’t the 15-hour result I had hoped for.
“It definitely gives me confidence that my systems work, and it gave me a few work-ons which will be front of mind going into Tarawera. If I can replicate everything I did right at Kosci and improve on the few mistakes, Tarawera is going to be a wild day on the trails.”
Since the 100-mile distance was introduced to the event in 2018, there has never been a winner from New Zealand. Harvey is hoping to set that straight this year.
“It will be an impossible dream fulfilled is all I can say now,” he said.
Like last year, when he battled side by side with eventual winner Adrian Macdonald (USA) for much of the race, Harvey will face fierce competition from overseas runners, including Japanese quartet Hirokazu Nishimura, Hajime Mamba, Yutaro Yokouchi, and Takumi Sawayanagi, British runner Ryan Whelan, as well as compatriot Simon Cochrane.
