MOUNTAIN RUNNING

Man v woman for the 62km Tarawera Ultra win

While most of the national and international focus at the Tarawera Ultramarathon was on the pinacle 100km event, the 62km event had people really talking, with a New Zealand woman coming close to taking out the overall win from the 339-strong male and female field.
 
It was Melbourne-based Majell Backhausen who narrowly edged out Taiwan-based Ruth Croft, taking the win in a time of 5:04:26. Backhausen has been a previous winner at the associated Tarawera events, taking out the 50km win at the 2015 Tarawera 50km and Trail Marathon.
 
Backhausen says he started running for pride once Croft overtook himself and two others at the 30km mark.
 
“I was actually running scared! Three of us were running together, not really racing, and just waiting to see who would put on the first move. Then Ruth rocks up, passes us and shows us how its done!
 
“Then I realised I was running for pride and I better get my s**t together. I definitely ate a bit of humble pie today.”
 

Backhausen says the “Ultra” is a world-class event and course.

“I’ve spent a lot of time in Europe and at some of the biggest races in the world, and these guys [NZ Trail Events] have got it all sussed here.”
 
Croft, originally from the West Coast and currently living in Taiwan, took second place – and first female – in the 62km event in a time of 5:10:41 – just six minutes behind Backhausen.
 
Croft says her main goal today was to “see how it went”, but potentially taking out the whole event wasn’t on the cards.
 
“I stayed with them in the first part of the race and on the hills, but I found the flatter forest conditions a bit harder. I was feeling really good, but crashed a bit on the flat – and I didn’t enjoy that.
 
“I felt good and strong and I’m really happy with how it went.”
 
Croft will now head back to Taiwan to compete in some Asia-based races, before taking on her next big race in Spain in May.