Please note we are currently making some changes to the event and will get the website updated asap with the new information!
Rotorua Running Festival – 50k, 21k, 10k, 5k and 3k
New Zealand’s premiere tourist city provides a spectacular backdrop for one of the most scenic and varied running events in the country. Major city boulevards, fabulous forest trails and historic buildings all play their part … and where else in the world can you run right through the middle of an active geothermal park or right over the top of a crystal-clear, petrified forest? Welcome to the stunning Rotorua Running Festival (previously the Podium Rotorua Half Marathon) … natural, cultural, historic!
Come take on the Ultra Marathon, Half Marathon Run or Walk, 10km Run or Walk, 5k Fun Run/Walk or the 3km Kids Dash. There is something for the whole family so why not make a weekend of it!
2021 Date TBC
50K
CamelBak Ultra Marathon
CamelBak Ultra Marathon. The event is a one lap course utilising scenic trails and the stunning Blue and Green lakes. Entrants must be 18 years of age or older on event day.
21K
Mitre 10 Mega Half Marathon
The event is a one lap course utilising scenic trails and smooth gravel forest roads. Entrants must be 16 years of age or older on event day.
10K
Brooks 10K Run or Walk
This event completes one lap of the course utilising scenic forest trails and the stunning sulphur flats. Entrants must be 12 years of age or older on event day.
5K
Novotel 5K Fun Run/Walk
This non-competitive event completes one lap of the course utilising the sulphur tracks. Competitors must be 10 years or older on race day.
3K
Skyline Kids Dash
A 3K fun run/walk for children aged 5 to 9 years. This is a non-competitive, fully supervised event and takes place at midday.
Course Information
All events are based at the Rotorua Village Green. Each event will head out into the Rotorua township and surrounding trails and forest to complete the event distance and then return to the Rotorua Village Green to finish.
Event Information
Early Bird Entry Fees – 1st July to 31st July
Half Marathon (Includes Finishers Medal): $55.00
10k (Includes Finishers Medal): $40.00
5k (Includes Finishers Medal): $30.00
3k Kids Dash event (Includes Finishers Medal): $10.00
Standard Entry Fees – 1st August to 10th November
Half Marathon (Includes Finishers Medal): $65.00
10k (Includes Finishers Medal): $50.00
5k (Includes Finishers Medal): $35.00
3k Kids Dash event (Includes Finishers Medal): $15.00
Late Entry Fee – 11th November to 22nd November
Half Marathon (Includes Finishers Medal): $75.00
10k (Includes Finishers Medal): $60.00
5k (Includes Finishers Medal): $40.00
3k Kids Dash event (Includes Finishers Medal): $20.00
On the day entries
Late entries will be accepted up to half an hour prior to the start of your race on race day at the event registration. Limited eftpos or credit card facilities will be available at registration on Sunday, cash or cheque is preferred. Do not send postal entries after the 14th November as they will not be received in time for processing, please enter at registration.
Payment Details
Enter online – Credit card only.
Postal entries – Cheque or direct deposit only. Please post to Rotorua Running Festival, PO Box 324, Rotorua. Cheques made payable to Rotorua Running Festival. Direct deposit can be made into the Event Promotions account 12-3162-0075818-61 using your name as reference. If paying by direct deposit please include proof of payment with entry.
Click here to Enter Online (Credit or Debt Card Only).
Click here to download Entry Form.
– Post it in to PO Box 324, Rotorua with a cheque made out to ‘Running Festival’
– Post it in to PO Box 324, Rotorua with proof of bank deposit payment. Please pay bank deposit into ASB Taupo 12-3162-0075818-61 using your name as reference.
Email it to info@eventpromotions.co.nz with proof of bank deposit payment. Please pay bank deposit into ASB Taupo 12-3162-0075818-61 using your name as reference.
Entry Confirmation
You will receive confirmation of your entry and bib number via email when you enter. Please print this out and bring along to registration.
Event Day Timetable – Sunday 28th November
7.30am – 11.30am – Registration at Novotel Hotel
9.00am: Start of the 21k Half Marathon from the Rotorua Village Green
10.00am: Start of the 10k run or walk from the Rotorua Village Green
10.30am: Start of the 5k fun run/walk from the Rotorua Village Green
12.00pm: Start of the 3k Kids Dash from the Rotorua Village Green
1.30pm: Prize-giving for Kids Dash just before the main prize-giving
1.30pm: Prize-giving for all other events
* Please note: Competitors that are still out on the course during prize-giving are still eligible for spot prizes, a representative can inform event organisers that they are still on the course.
Registration/Race Bag Collection – Sunday
Registration on Sunday is from 7.30-11.30am in the Novotel Rotorua Lakeside Hotel. Please bring your registration confirmation with you to assist the registration process. Late entries will be accepted on Sunday.
Limited eftpos facilities available. Cash or cheque is preferred please.
Every competitor receives…
All competitors receive a personalised race number, finishers medal, first aid, event support, electronic timing plus a chance to win one of the numerous spot prizes.
Registration
Saturday 27th November, 3- 6pm at Novotel Rotorua Lakeside. If you cannot make Registration on Saturday you can get a representative to collect your race number and race bag on your behalf otherwise your race number and race bag can be picked up from the start/finish line from 6am on Sunday 22nd November (event day).
Aid stations
Aid station 1 (4km) – End of Te Ngae – Longmile Road pathway on Longmile Road
Water
Aid station 2 (10km) – Corner of Waipa Bypass Road and Popular Road
Water and Loaded Sports Drink
Aid station 3 (16km) – Corner of 8 Mile Gate Road and Green Lake Road
Water, flat Coke and bananas
Aid station 4 (24km) – At Blue Lake Reserve
Water, Loaded Sports Drink, bananas and gels
Aid station 5 (32km) – Top of Moerangi Road
Water, flat Coke, bananas + any personal supplies (dropped off at registration on Saturday)
Aid station 6 (39km) – Intersection of the end of Puarenga Stream Track and Nursery Road
Water and Loaded Sports Drink
Aid station 7 (44km) – End of Te Ngae – Long Mile Road pathway on Long Mile Road
Water
Aid station bag drop
You can drop any supplies (drinks, food, gels etc) off to us at registration on Saturday afternoon which we will make available at aid station #5 (at the 32km mark on the course). Please ensure these items are correctly named, lids on drinks are secured and the items are recognisable as yours.
Cut Off Time
Please note that competitors must reach the 24km mark at the Blue Lake Reserve Aid Station (#4) before 11.15am – giving 4 hours 45 minutes to reach this point. Those that don’t make it to this point in time will be asked to get on a shuttle to return to the finish line – they will receive a half marathon finishers medals for their efforts. If competitors who are still out on the course during prize giving win a prize, a representative can come up to collect it or the competitors can collect once they have completed the event.
Refund Policy
Refunds up until the 14th of November will incur a $15.00 administration fee. There will be no refunds from the 15th of November. In the case that the event is cancelled due to acts of nature, acts of god, closure of the forest due to high winds or due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, my entry fee will not be refunded. Please contact 07 3483301 or jenna@eventpromotions.co.nz if you need to withdraw from the event.
Transfers/Changes
Transfers to another person or to a different distance can be made up until the 17th of November via email, from the 18th November all transfers need to be completed on the day of the event at registration. Please contact 07 3483301 or jenna@eventpromotions.co.nz prior to the 17th November to make a transfer. After this date, any changes will need to be made at registration on the day.
A prize-giving for the Kids Dash will be held at 1.30pm from the stage truck at the Village Green just before the main prize-giving. A prize-giving for all other events will be held from the stage truck at the Village Green at 1.30pm.
Major Prizes
Novotel Accommodation packages
Mitre 10 Mega Rotorua vouchers
Brooks vouchers
1-Day Vouchers
Kaiser Baas cameras
Merit Prizes
5k Fun Run/Walk
Medals and merit prizes will be awarded to the top 3 Male and Female competitors.
10k Run or Walk
Medals and merit prizes will be awarded to the first three runners and the first three walkers in each of the following grades (age as on event day):
12 – 39
40+
21k Half Marathon Run or Walk
Medals and merit prizes will be awarded to the first three runners and the first three walkers in each of the following grades (age as on event day):
16 – 39
40+
50K Ultra Marathon – cancelled for 2020
Medals and merit prizes will be awarded to the top 3 Male and Female competitors of the 50K Ultra Marathon competitors in each of the following grades (age as on event day):
18 – 39
40+
Competitors must be present at prize-giving to receive merit prizes.
Finishers Medals
Every competitor that finishes any of the events from the Half Marathon to the Kids Dash race will receive one of our stunning finishers medal.
Spot Prizes
The major spot prizes will be drawn during prize-giving at 1.30pm. Competitors must be present at prize-giving to be eligible for spot prizes.
Novotel Rotorua Lakeside Accommodation
Get 15% discount off Novotel’s best available rates by using the preferential code MICENZ.
Simply click the link below select your booking information and then click on the Special Rates button then in the Preferential code box put in “MICENZ” and this will pull through the discounted rate.
Click here to head to the booking site.
Any questions please contact Jessica on 07 349 8429 or email jessica.cotton@accor.com
Ultra Marathon Cut Off Time – Cancelled for 2020
Please note that competitors must reach the 24km mark at the Blue Lake Aid Station (#4) before 11.15am – giving 4 hours 45 minutes to reach this point. Those that don’t make it to this point in time will be asked to get on a shuttle to return to the finish line – they will receive a half marathon finishers medals for their efforts. If competitors who are still out on the course during prize giving win a prize, a representative can come up to collect it or the competitors can collect once they have completed the event.
Walkers
We value our walkers and wish to ensure that the experience of taking part in either of these great off-road events in Rotorua is a positive experience for all competitors. We rely on entrant’s 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.
Event Rules
Participants shall adhere to all marshals and officials instructions. Decisions of race officials will be final and no correspondence will be entered into. Event race numbers are to be placed on the front of your singlet or shirt. No Ipods or headphones are to be worn in any of these events, no exceptions.
Photos
Professional photos can also be found at www.marathon-photos.com, search the event name then your bib number.
Thanks to our sponsors
