New Zealand’s Daniel Jones has scored his second successive victory at Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB’s 102km race, with the event celebrating its 15th anniversary edition this weekend.

Daniel completed the course in a blistering 7:46:42, finishing more than 40 minutes ahead of American Justin Grunewald in second, with South Africa’s Matt Healy another 30 minutes behind in third.

Daniel’s impressive win last year set the tone for a breakout season of ultra-trail racing which saw the Kiwi finish fifth at the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run and 12th at UTMB in France. 

His victory on Saturday giving him two wins out of two attempts at the Tarawera 102km race, further cements his rapidly growing stature on the world stage of ultra running.

“The feeling is undeniable, backing up in an ultra just really means a lot because anything can happen out there in ultramarathons and to back up is just huge because you go out there with a plan and to execute the plan is just awesome,” says Daniel.

“I put Tarawera 2023 down as one of my most successful races I’ve ever done and to go overseas after that was a huge experience for me but to come back and win here again, in front of my home crowd, in front of my parents and my friends was really amazing.

“The local crowd, cheering me home, all the way around the course, so good.”

Daniel Jones on course during the 2024 Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB. Photo: Cameron McKenzie.

Daniel was able to execute his race strategy seamlessly, going out hard from start, stretching his lead early on and never relenting his pace throughout the race.

“The race plan, I just wanted to show that I had another really big race in me like 2023 and so I went hard from the gun and I kind of just went out on my own,” says Daniel.

“I thought to myself, if I could just push a good pace and hit my targets that I’d put into my race plan, nail my nutrition, then I could put together a really good time which I did.

"The course was tougher than last year, and I was only about 15 minutes slower so I’m really happy with that.”

As is tradition at Tarawera Ultra-Trail, Daniel, being the 102km winner, was received at the finish line by a haka and to the cheers of the hundreds of spectators who had flocked down to cheer him home.

“I got to experience the haka last year, I never thought I’d have that experience in my lifetime and to have it again, it doesn’t change, it’s just beautiful, amazing,” says Daniel.

“To put all that effort in, and not just today, in training, to have it rewarded and have that as something to experience at the finish line is just unreal. You’re not going to have that anywhere else.”

Tarawera Ultra-Trail is a qualifying race for the 2025 UTMB World Series Finals at UTMB Mont-Blanc, with the top three male and female elites in the Tarawera 102km securing direct entry into the CCC (100km) race at UTMB Mont-Blanc.

Kiwi Ruth Croft has once again won the 102km race at Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB, reclaiming the title she last earned in 2021 on her previous visit to the Rotorua-based event.

Ruth finished in 9:14:14, nearly 24 minutes faster than America’s Beth McKenzie in second place. Fellow Kiwi Nikki Everton completed the women’s 102km podium in third.

T102 RESULTS – WOMEN

1. Ruth Croft (NZL) – 9:14:14
2. Beth McKenzie (USA) – 9:38:03
3. Nikki Everton (NZL) – 10:26:53

T102 RESULTS – MEN

1. Daniel Jones (NZL) – 7:46:42
2. Justin Grunewald (USA) – 8:25:57
3. Matthew Healy (ZAF) – 8:58:43

For more information about Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB visit tarawera.utmb.world