Paora Raharaha in blue after running the Tarawera ultra-marathon in gummies. The final 10 were completed after he’d crossed the finish line on Sunday afternoon, launching into a set to the roar of the crowd who had gathered to watch the last finishers, and joined by event staff. It was a remarkable scene to top off a weekend which had featured so much astonishing evidence of human endurance. On Saturday, two women laid down a challenge by stomping a mark on their races. Ruth Croft, a West Coaster who ranks among the best trail runners in the world and usually spends much of the year in Europe, was first home in the 102km race, beating all-comers in the journey from Kawerau to Rotorua. It was the first time a woman had claimed overall line-honours in the event.