New ultra marathon for Ruapehu community

The Ruapehu District Council will fork out $30,000 to secure an ultra marathon for the region for the next three years, complete with about 1800 competitors.

The Ruapehu Ultra is already set down for April 7 this year but organisers required an extra $60,000 of outside funding to make the event work for the first two years.

The council has agreed to pay $10,000 for three years to secure the event for the region.

‘‘If we don’t do that then it will become a Taupo event. For an international event, I don’t think we can go wrong,’’ Cr Kim Wheeler said.

Chief executive Clive Manley said organisers needed a quick response because the event was due to start in April.

For now the marathon is planned for Saturday April 7.

Event organiser Nick Reader said start up events are extremely challenging with significant up-front costs.

The commitment from council would guarantee the marathon stayed in the region for two years.

The marathon and Relay event will take part within the Tongariro National Park using the Round the Mountain walking trail and it was expected to attract 1800 participants.

The proposal is subject to retaining Ruapehu branding and links back to Visit Ruapehu.