The Rotorua Suffer starts at Blue Lake near Rotorua, offering athletes a challenging off-road combination of swimming, cycling, and trail running. The primary triathlon distances include a half-distance event featuring a 2 km swim, 90 km bike ride, and a 21.1 km run, or a quarter-distance event with a 1 km swim, 45 km bike ride, and a 10.5 km run. Additionally, run-only options are available over 21 km and 10.5 km for those who prefer the trails without the swim and bike components.
The course incorporates the lake for the swim segment, roads for the cycling leg, and forest trails for the run, making it suitable for participants comfortable with varied surfaces and speeds. Triathlon waves commence early in the morning, with the standalone trail runs starting later in the day. While some triathlon bike and run legs have cut-off times, the designated run-only events do not. The event is designed for endurance athletes, multisport racers, trail runners, and walk-run participants seeking a demanding day around Blue Lake.