The Freetrail Podcast with Dylan Bowman Tarawera 102k Preview Show - Who will secure Western States Golden Tickets?
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Feb 11, 2026 Dani Moreno, professional ultrarunner and race analyst, breaks down Tarawera’s runnable, humid forest trails and key climbs. Tim Tollefson, pro ultrarunner and anti-doping advocate, offers pacing and tactical prep like a fast 100K. They preview course changes, weather risks, who travels best regionally, top contenders on both sides, and how Western States Golden Tickets could play out.
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Tarawera Is Fast And Runnable
- Tarawera is a fast, runnable 102K with a Northern California feel and soft, forgiving trails.
- The course favors runners who can maintain high cadence and low heart rate across rolling terrain.
Train For Humidity And Limited Airflow
- Prepare for humidity and poor airflow in dense New Zealand forests when training for Tarawera.
- Replicate tropical heat and humidity exposure and practice cooling strategies to protect core temperature.
New Section Makes Course Slightly Slower
- The course change adds about 10K and shifts some fast service road to forested double-track, likely slowing times.
- Key climbs around mile 25–31 will be decisive for separation and late-race recovery.