"One run - and 700 reasons" Tussock Traverse, Tongariro National Park, New Zealand. - News Article Locations on Waymarking.com

A variety of runners of all ages enjoy participating in the annual Tussock Traverse walk/run across the centre of Tongariro National Park. The race is divided into several different groups depending on length, 26km (run/walk) 13km (run/walk) and 6.5km (run/walk) on formed tracks through the tussock slopes between Mt Ruapehu and Mt Ngauruhoe.

The Traverse is one of three off-road running events - the Tussock Traverse, the T42 and the Goat - staged in the Tongariro National Park every year, and is more user-friendly than the gruelling Goat. However the race still sets a test for all those taking part. Many factors inspire people to the start line of the Tussock Traverse, but they all share the common bond of a sense of adventure and the desire to take on a challenge.

The article speaks to people of all ages who tell their reasons for running. But the words of one 40yr old runner seem to echo everyone's thoughts..."The 26km run is at altitude in such an amazing landscape. The off-road nature of the run makes for a far more stimulating run compared with, say, a standard half-marathon. It truly is an alpine run and needs to be treated with such respect."

The start line is on the eastern side of the Park, off the Desert Road, with the course winding across the saddle to finish at the Chateau on the western side of the mountains. From the start line it's a mixture of rock hopping, lava fields, desert, alpine track with amazing views, and beech forest before finishing beside the Chateau Tongariro in Whakapapa for a rest and BBQ.
Check the website for next years dates: (visit link)

Course Description: The course cuts across the heart of the World Heritage Tongariro National Park, starting off at the Desert Road on the Eastern side of the Park and taking in the Rangipo Desert and Waihohonu traverse track before finishing at the Chateau Tongariro in Whakapapa to the West. (visit link)

Course Map: (visit link)

Tussock Traverse
Where: Tongariro National Park
Event options:
- 26km (run/walk)
- 13km (run/walk)
- 6.5km (run/walk)

Co-ordinates are at the Final at the Chateau.

Type of publication: Newspaper When was the article reported?: 01/21/2012 Publication: The New Zealand Herald. Article Url: [Web Link] Is Registration Required?: no How widespread was the article reported?: national News Category: Sports

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Date Logged Log User Rating   04/03/2013 Punga and Paua visited it