The Ring of Fire is a premier alpine trail-running event that traces a dramatic route around Mt Ruapehu — Aotearoa’s tallest volcano — set within the breathtaking Tongariro National Park. Participants can choose from a 100km ultra marathon, a 60km point-to-point challenge, or a three-leg 100km relay. Each course offers a demanding mix of rugged trails, volcanic valleys, and ancient lava flows, all framed by one of New Zealand’s most iconic alpine landscapes.
Beginning in Ohakune, runners journey anti-clockwise around the maunga, navigating technical terrain while immersed in awe-inspiring mountain scenery.
Know Before You Go
Before signing up, take time to review the event details and assess whether this challenge is right for you. If you're new to ultra-distance running or unsure about meeting the time cut-offs, we suggest starting with the shorter Tussock Traverse happening on 28th of March 2026 and covering parts of the same course. It’s a great way to test your limits, enjoy the experience, and return next year ready to tackle the full ultra.
Still unsure if this event suits your experience level? Reach out to us at [email protected] with a summary of your trail running background—we’re happy to help guide you.
Key Dates
- Tuesday 14th October 2025, 0900hrs – entries on sale
- Wednesday 11th February 2026, 2359hrs – Personalised Bib Cut-off
- Friday 27 March 2026 (various times) – Compulsory Registration & Briefing in Ohakune
- Monday 23rd March, 2359hrs – Online Entries Close (unless sold out prior). There will be no late entries available from race registration or on the day.
- Saturday 28 March 2026 (various times) – Race Start
- Sunday 29 March 2026, 0800hrs – Course Close Sunday 29 March, 0900hrs – Breakfast/Celebration/Prizegiving
Register here
60km Solo Ultra
The 60km Ring of Fire is a spectacular point-to-point ultra that captures the raw beauty and dramatic contrasts of Mt Ruapehu in a single, unforgettable sweep.
Designed for those ready to take on technical mountain terrain in a single day, this course may be shorter than the 100km ultra, but it’s no less demanding. With steep climbs, rugged valleys, and ever-changing terrain, it offers a fierce challenge and unforgettable rewards.
Course Highlights:
- Waihohonu Hut Track – A historic gateway to Ruapehu’s eastern slopes
- Rangipo Desert – Stark, lunar-like terrain and one of the most iconic sections of the course
- Glacial Valleys – Ancient waterways carved by centuries of glacial movement
- Ohakune Finish Line – A shared finish with the 100km event, celebrating every runner’s journey
Distance: 60km
Elevation Gain: 2,053m
Time Limit: 14.5 hours
This is more than a race — it’s a journey through one of Aotearoa’s most awe-inspiring alpine environments, where grit meets grandeur and every step tells a story.
More information
100km Solo Ultra
The Ring of Fire 100km is one of Aotearoa’s most iconic ultra-distance events — a full circumnavigation of Mt Ruapehu through sacred volcanic landscapes and alpine terrain shaped by centuries of geological and cultural history.
Participants will climb alpine ridgelines, cross expansive tussock plains, traverse volcanic deserts, descend into glacial valleys, and run across ancient lava flows. This is not just a race — it’s a test of endurance, resilience, and reverence for the maunga and the environment it commands.
Course Highlights
- Waitonga Falls & Alpine Wetlands – The first ascent into Ruapehu’s volcanic terrain
- The Cascades – Rugged rock formations and waterfalls, raw and technical
- Rangipo Desert – A stark, lunar-like landscape unique to this region
- Eastern Slopes – Remote, dramatic, and awe-inspiring beneath towering peaks
Distance: 100km
Elevation Gain: 3,924m
Time Limit: 28 hours
More information
100km Team Relay
The Ring of Fire 100km Relay offers teams of three the opportunity to complete the full circumnavigation of Mt Ruapehu — sharing the challenge, the terrain, and the triumph.
Each leg reveals a different face of the maunga, from steep alpine climbs to sweeping valleys and rugged volcanic trails. While no single runner completes the entire loop, together your team completes the full journey — a powerful expression of unity, endurance, and shared purpose.
Leg 1: Ohakune to Tukino (1839m)
A demanding ascent up Ohakune Mountain Road, linking into the Round the Mountain Track via Waitonga Falls. The route continues across rugged tussock country toward Tukino.
Leg 2: Tukino to Whakapapaiti Valley Junction (1073m)
Remote and relentless, this leg traverses the eastern and northern flanks of Ruapehu — a wild stretch of high ridgelines and raw volcanic terrain.
Leg 3: Whakapapaiti Valley Junction to Ohakune (979m)
The final leg blends alpine and forested trails, with the maunga ever-present above. It leads runners back to Ohakune, where the team reunites to cross the finish line together.
This relay is rooted in whanaungatanga — connection, camaraderie, and belonging. It’s for those who want to take on Ruapehu as a team, combining strength, spirit, and support to complete a challenge that will stay with you for life.
Distance: 100km (split into 3 legs of approximately 30–35km each)
Elevation Gain: Varies by leg (see descriptions)
Time Limit: 9 hours per leg
More information
Leg One
Leg Two
Leg Three
