Take on the Lake and make it your greatest challenge in 2021. Known affectionately as the “People‘s Marathon” the iconic Rotorua Marathon is Australasia’s oldest major marathon event.

Join the Rotorua Marathon on Saturday 8th May 2021!

The Rotorua Marathon is New Zealand’s most iconic marathon event. For 56 years runners and walkers of all ages have accepted the challenge, taking a lap around the beautiful Lake Rotorua.

Experience hidden gems, surreal scenery and stunning natural wonders in Rotorua.

Along with the full marathon, the Rotorua Marathon offers the Red Stag Timber off-road half marathon, 10km and a 5.5km run or walk to choose from.

Please note this is not the official Rotorua Marathon website. For all information on the Rotorua Marathon and the official site click here.

Saturday 8th May 2021

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Rotorua Marathon

Take on the Lake and make it your greatest challenge in 2021. Known affectionately as the “People’s Marathon” the iconic Rotorua Marathon is Australasia’s oldest major marathon event.

The minimum age for the Marathon is 20 years old on race day.

Half Marathon

At half the distance of our full marathon the Half marathon is a popular event, with a new course introduced in 2018 taking competitors off the tarmac roads onto smooth gravel forestry roads and into the stunning Whakarewarewa Forest.

The minimum age for the Half Marathon is 18 years old on race day.

10km

We want everyone to be able to participate in the Rotorua Marathon! The 10km is a non-competitive event held for people of all abilities.

The minimum age for the 10km is 12 years old on race day.

5.5km

We want everyone to be able to participate in the Rotorua Marathon! The 5.5km is a non-competitive event held for people of all abilities.

The minimum age for the 5.5km is 10 years old on race day.

Enter Now

Course Information

Rotorua Marathon

The Start to the Rotorua Marathon is in the Government Gardens outside the Energy Events Centre. The course heads out through Rotorua’s CBD, along Arawa St, down Lake Rd, Fairy Springs Rd and around the traditional lake course, back into town, through Prince’s Arch to run (or walk) up the finish straight.

Course Map/Elevation

Half Marathon

The half marathon course incorporates all that is Rotorua. Competitors will start and finish at the main start/finish gantry outside the Energy Events Centre. The course will head out towards the airport, along Te Ngae Road. You then run / walk along Long Mile Rd, then into Nursery Rd for a loop through Whakarewarewa Forest, back to Te Ngae Rd, Hinemaru St, through the Government Gardens to the finish line.

10km Run or Walk

The 10km event gets underway from the Marathon start line in the Government Gardens and completes one lap of the course through the Sulphur flats towards Long Mile Road, half way up Nursery Road then back along the marathon course to the finish.

5.5km Fun Run

The 5.5km Fun Run event gets underway from the Marathon start line in the Government Gardens and completes one lap of the course through the Sulphur flats and back along the marathon course.

Event Information

Entry Fees

Early Bird Entry fee – Until 30 November 2020
Marathon – $124 + ($4.96 Processing Fee)
Half Marathon – $94 + ($3.76 Processing Fee)
10km – $42 + ($1.88 Processing Fee)
5.5km Fun Run – $32+ ($1.48 Processing Fee)

Standard Entry fee – from 1 December 2020
Marathon – $134 + ($5.36 Processing Fee)
Half Marathon – $103 + ($4.12 Processing Fee)
10km – $52 + ($2.08 Processing Fee)
5.5km Fun Run – $42 + ($1.68 Processing Fee)

Late Entry Fee – from 1 April 2021
Marathon – $134 + ($5.36 Processing Fee)
Half Marathon – $103 + ($4.12 Processing Fee)
10km – $52 + ($2.08 Processing Fee)
5.5km Fun Run – $42 + ($1.68 Processing Fee)

Onsite Entries – Registration on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th May 2021
Marathon – $160
Half Marathon – $125
10km – $65
5.5km Fun Run – $55

* Marathon and Half Marathon entry fees include Rotorua Marathon branded Sports Cap
** All race finishers will receive a finishers medal

How to Enter

Click here to enter online now.Credit or debit card only.

Click here to download an entry form. (Coming Soon).

Athletics NZ Member discount
Financial members of Athletics NZ will receive a $15 discount in the Marathon or Half Marathon. All Athletics NZ members should have been sent your PIN code which you can use for discounted entry. If you have not received a PIN code please contact marathon@athletics.org.nz and we will send this out to you.

Final deadline for online entries
You can enter online up until 12.00pm Thursday 6th May 2021, and after that point you will need to enter at the event, as noted below.

Final Deadline for postal entries
Please be aware that postal entries should not be sent after 1st May 2021, as cannot be guaranteed to arrive in time for processing.
* Please allow up to 7 days to process postal entries (downloadable entry form at base of this page once available).

On the day entries
Entries will be available on the Friday and Saturday at registration. Late entries will close at 8.30am on Saturday morning.

Registrations

Friday 7th May 2021
2pm-9pm Registration – Rotorua Engery Event Centre

Saturday 8th May 2021
6.30am Registration – Rotorua Engery Event Centre

Pop down to the Rotorua Energy Event Centre to complete your registration, pick up your race pack and ask any last minute questions.

Start Time/location

Friday 7th May
2pm-9pm   Registration

Saturday 8th May
6.30am    Registration
8.00am   Marathon Start – Runners
8.05am   Marathon Start – Walkers
8.15am   Half Marathon Start – Runners
8.20am    Half Marathon Start – Walkers
8.35am    10km Start – Runners and Walkers
9.00am    5.5km Start – Runners and Walkers
3.30pm    Prize Giving for 5.5km, 10km, Half Marathon and Marathon

The start line is on Queens Drive within the Government Gardens, Rotorua, and is marked by the gantry on event day. We ask runners to line up first, behind the appropriate sign that indicates the time they anticipate completing the marathon in. This will then allow the start to go, and flow smoothly. Ensure you go under the gantry for your timing chip to be recorded.

Age/Time Limit

Age Limit

Marathon entrants must be 20 years or above.

Half Marathon entrants must be 18 years or above.
10km entrants must be 12 years or above.
5.5km entrants must be 10 years or above.

Ages taken on event day.

Time Limit

Official event timing will cease at 5pm. Those crossing the finish line after this time will be deemed not to have finished and will not be eligible for the finisher’s medal.

Event Rules

Event road rules
The events are run under the competition rules of Athletics New Zealand.

At all times keep to the right hand side of the road (the only exception to this is towards the end of the course, possibly being on the foot path, and then through the Government Gardens). Cutting corners or failure to run or walk as far to the right as possible could result in disqualification. This is particularly important in the areas where the road is winding and narrow.

Although a road closure is in place at a section of the back of the Lake on Hamurana Road, local residents have the right to access their properties whilst the closure is in place. Please keep this in mind, and also remember you are a pedestrian and you compete at your own risk. Do not rely on the right of way, or think because the road is closed there will be no traffic.

All participants, at all times, must remain inside the line of any road cones placed on the course. Failure to do so could lead to disqualification. Walkers are requested to walk no more than two abreast so as not to impede the progress of the runners or to create a traffic hazard. At all times, obey instructions given to you by the Police, Event Officials and Marshals.

Participants anticipating finishing after 7 hours should carry their own drinks or have support available toward the end of the course.

Wheeled conveyances (including wheel chairs, for which there is no separate event this year) cannot be used in this event. This includes baby buggies, scooters, etc. Accompanying animals are not allowed on the course. Headphones and ipods are not to be used.

Personalised Drink bottle Stop Stations

Drink bottles must be delivered to the team at registration before 8pm on Friday 7th May. Bottles must be clearly labelled with name, race number and station. Personalised bottles will be the first table at each of these stations.

No 3 – 9.3km

No 6 – 19.5km

No 8 – 27.8km

No 11 – 37.0km

Important Information

Event number
The event number is to be pinned to the front of your shirt. Please record brief medical details on the reverse of your number.

Timing transponder
The timing transponder is already attached to your bib number. You must pin your bib number to the front of your shirt. This records how long it takes for you to complete your event. It is important to start the event by going under the start banner and you must complete your event through the finish gantry for the timing chip to time you. Your official placing in the event is based upon the gun time, however both gun time, and net time, will be recorded in the results.

Changing facilities and toilets
The Energy Events Centre has excellent facilities including toilets, showers and a changing area.

Gear drop off/Bag Storage
We advise you not to leave your gear unattended. The Gear Bag Depot is inside the Energy Events Centre (open at 7.30am Saturday) and if you wish to utilise, please label your bag with our name and race number. Please collect your gear by 4.30pm on Saturday (you must show your Event Number as evidence to collect).

Parking
There is parking within the CBD area, but it will be very busy so please allow time to find a park. On Friday only there is parking available beside the Energy Events Centre (access to Queens Drive only from behind the venue on Hatupatu Drive) but on Saturday you will have to park outside the Government Gardens area.

Traffic and event supporters.
An official road closure will be in place from 9.00am to 1.00pm between Hamurana and Mourea, and only official vehicles will be allowed on this part of the course. It is strongly recommended that supporters not follow the event at any point, by any means of transportation (this includes bikes). Please leave the road free for the marathon participants.Vehicles will be provided on the course for entrants who may not be able to complete the marathon, being brought back to the finish area.

Marathon and Half Marathon kilometre marks
Each kilometre will be signposted and will indicate the distance travelled.

Time Limit
Official event timing will cease at 5pm.

Finish Line
At the finish please follow the directions of the event officials. R-line Sports drink will be available at the finish line.

Medical Aid, Care and Massage
The St John Medical Centre will be located at the finish area. For your comfort after the event, please ensure you have warm clothes and arrange for these to be available for you on completion. It is wise to have family/friends assist you after the event. There are shower and change facilities available. A massage service at a small charge is provided thanks to DUL-X Massage.

Walkers

We welcome all walkers to the marathon and half marathon event, including recreational, competitive and Nordic walkers.’Competitive walking’ is for those who take their walking a little more seriously (maintaining contact with the ground at all times) and wish to be eligible for the ‘Fastest Walking’ Prize. All walkers are eligible for major spot prizes provided they finish before 5pm.

If you think you could break into a jog or run please enter yourself as a runner.

Please note ALL Competitors will receive a timing transponder.

Marathon and Half Marathon Walkers
Those who enter the walking section in the Marathon will compete for trophies and merit prizes. The trophies will be awarded to the fastest male and female Walkers. We rely on entrants integrity that walkers WALK the complete event. Please participate in the spirit of the event and abide by the walking criteria. Any walking competitor seen running will automatically be classified in the running results. No correspondence will be entered into.

Identification:
All walkers will have numbers which are a different number sequence from the runners.

A definition of walking for the Rotorua Marathon
Walking involves maintaining continuous contact with the road as judged by the human eye. The Walker must walk for the entire race. The competitor must not jog or run at any time. Jogging (characterized by the body bobbing up and down) is not permitted even if the Walker maintains contact with the road. Moderately bent knees are acceptable, but must not be exaggerated so that the walker is crouching. Walkers who are deemed to run or jog or whose crouching stance indicates they are losing contact will not be eligible for a merit award.

Results

Past Rotorua Marathon Results