Japan’s Konoka Azumi and America’s Adrian MacDonald have both claimed debut victories in the 100-mile races at the 15th anniversary edition of Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB.

Japan’s Konoka Azumi dominated the women’s 100-mile race at Tarawera to finish an hour and a half clear of the rest of the field.

Konoka completed the 165km course in 18:24:53, with Australia’s Chantelle Smith second in 19:55:41, and Germany’s Chrissi Faber third in 21:15:17.

The New Zealand based Japanese athlete was making her Tarawera Miler debut, having previously completed the 102km race on three occasions – finishing second, fifth and seventh.

“I’m so happy to complete the Miler. It’s my first time racing the Miler here so I’m so happy to get the win,” says Konoka.

“I enjoyed the 100k three times, good memories, but I wanted to try the longer distance and I’m so happy.”

Konoka was the third highest ranked female Miler on the Tarawera start line and demonstrated her class all day long as she led for the majority of the race.

Pre-race favourites Naomi Brand (ZAF) and Kimino Miyazaki (JPN) had tough days, both pulling out of the race before the 100km mark.

“I couldn’t believe I was in the lead, especially with Naomi and Kimino, they are very strong runners. Before racing I thought they would win. I didn’t worry about the other runners during the race, I just wanted to enjoy it,” says Konoka.

Tarawera Ultra-Trail is a qualifying race for the UTMB World Series Finals at UTMB Mont-Blanc. The top three male and female elites in the Tarawera Miler have secured direct entry into UTMB in 2025.

“For me it’s one step toward more international races like UTMB or Western States, so it’s great simulation ahead of those,” says Konoka.

Adrian MacDonald made a successful Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB debut taking the tape in the 100-mile race. Photo: Cameron McKenzie.

Adrian MacDonald broke the tape in a time of 15:00:57, with New Zealand’s Sam Harvey 29 minutes behind in second. Australia’s Mike Carroll was a further seven minutes behind in third.

“Tarawera is a historic race and it’s one that I’ve always wanted to do, so I’m glad to win here,” said MacDonald.

Making his Tarawera debut, MacDonald was the highest ranked athlete in the Miler field and he lived up to his billing despite being pushed hard all day by a strong group of runners, with the lead changing multiple times throughout the race.

“I’m tired but I’m also really proud, I thought with 25 miles to go I was just going to be able to cruise in, but then I found out that the gap was only close to six minutes, so my pacer said hey, we’re going to push around Blue Lake and he just took off and I followed. I’ve never run that hard in a Miler before,” he said.

Though MacDonald was able to extend his lead over the final section of the race, Kiwi Sam Harvey kept the American on his toes all day – going out hard and continuing to keep the pressure up all day.

It was a strategy similarly employed last year when Harvey blew up toward the end of the race and eventually finished 10th, the difference this year being the measure of control he was able to add into the mix.

“I pushed too hard last year and cooked my chook and I think I could’ve probably come third or fourth last year, instead I came 10th so I was trying to do everything right this year,” said Harvey. “I still probably pushed too hard from the start, and I think I instigated a bit of chaos because that then ended up with half a dozen guys pushing really hard from the start.

“I’m feeling ecstatic. I’ve done well in races, but this is a whole new feeling, so cool,” he said. “When I finished, I was thought wow, I’ve just got second, that’s so insane.”

Adrian MacDonald winning the Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB 100-mile race. Photo: Cameron McKenzie.

TMILER RESULTS – MEN

1. Adrian MacDonald (USA) – 15:00:57
2. Sam Harvey (NZL) – 15:29:53
3. Mike Carroll (AUS) – 15:37:01
4. George Murray (NZL) – 17:06:10
5. Matthew Dunn (AUS) – 17:16:35

TMILER RESULTS – WOMEN

1. Konoka Azumi (JPN) – 18:24:53
2. Chantelle Smith (AUS) – 19:55:41
3. Chrissi Faber (GER) – 21:15:17
4. Shannon-Leigh Litt (NZL) – 21:43:04
5. Anna O’Byrne (NZL) – 22:14:46

For full results of the 2024 Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB visit tarawera.utmb.world