The Hunua Hillbilly Ultramarathon returned for the third time this March.
Previously held in November in 2022 and 2023, the decision was made to move to the warmer and more settled weather offered in March.
Organiser Dave Franks said more than 350 people entered the event.
“It was an amazing day; the weather was just perfect, although a bit hot for the runners, and people loved their day!”
He said over 80 people also camped for the weekend, which is another additional option for people doing the event – staying at Upper Mangatawhiri Campground, right next to the event base which is also set up there.
Competitors took between 7 hours and 48 minutes and 14 hours and 40 minutes to finish the main 60km Ultra event.
Franks said the Ultra winner Stefan Almeida is from Portugal, living in New Zealand, and who only signed up to do the event a couple of weeks prior, when he saw something about it on Instagram.
Cullen Rhind took out the marathon title with a time of 4 hours and 29 minutes. David Bishop took out the 22km Trail Run title in 2 hours and 4 minutes, with Odette Jennings the first placed female in 2 hours and 11 minutes. Meanwhile, Paul Rogers finished first in the 22km Trail Walk in 3 hours and 41 minutes, with Linda Hill the first female in 3 hours and 43 minutes.
