An old saying - the early bird gets the worm - could be an apt description of the competitors who join the Blue Lake Multisport Festival.
Today is the last day for entrants to get a discount by signing as an early bird.
The Blue Lake Multisport Festival is held annually every Auckland Anniversary Weekend with events for the family and the King and Queen of the Lake title for the best all-rounder.
This year's event is on Saturday, January 26 and Sunday, January 27. It features three flagship races that make up the King and Queen of the Lake competition - aquathon, 2km across the lake swim and a sprint triathlon, as well as shorter events to introduce people to racing. These are a 750m open water swim and a 5.5km fun run.
"Every year the holiday weekend becomes a time for Rotorua to welcome visitors to this festival and to also give it a go themselves," the Rotorua Association of Triathlon and Multisport event director Charlotte Pearson said. "We will have a large presence from New Plymouth with their city's swim squad using the Hinemoa Swim as an annual swim camp race, as well as athletes from Taupo and Tauranga."