Masters Games entries are open for 2017 Games

WELL DESERVED: Tauranga's Bruce Solomon won eight medals from eight events at the New Zealand Master Games earlier this year. PHOTO/FILE A_250215jb01bop

In homes around New Zealand, running shoes are being dusted off, darts polished and bikes fixed in preparation for New Zealand's largest multi-sport event the New Zealand Masters Games.

Registrations are now open for the 28th NZ Masters Games to be held in Whanganui from February 3-12, 2017.

The Whanganui Events Trust, the Games' owner, expects around 5,000 competitors to descend on the city in February to compete across 50 sports.

With the World Masters Games scheduled for April 2017 in Auckland, the Whanganui games will provide a rich training ground for competitors to perfect their performances.

The NZ Masters Games has been running since 1989 and is hosted by Whanganui and Dunedin in alternate years.

The Whanganui Events Trust has implemented some key changes to the format of the 2017 Games to keep it fresh and to attract more competitors.

"We have moved the games village from Springvale to the War Memorial Centre in town, where it will be transformed with a European-style square," Whanganui Events Trust CEO Kathy Cunningham said.

"In true Masters Games style, the social side of competition is also celebrated and encouraged. While we are promoting participating in sport throughout all stages of life, competition and camaraderie are equally celebrated."

Most competitors are aged between 35 and 85, with each sport specifying a minimum participation age.

"We have chosen 50 sports including marathon, touch rugby, table tennis, golf, basketball, archery, athletics, blokart racing and Waka Ama," Cunningham said.

"It is important that people realise you don't need to be an elite athlete to compete, nor do you need to qualify. Just register online, get your sports gear on and come to Whanganui."

In a NZ Masters Games first, a lavish opening ceremony will be held at Cooks Gardens, the site where Peter Snell broke the world record for the mile in 1962.

Games Ambassadors were announced at a launch event on Thursday night. Ambassadors include Grant Kereama from The Hits radio station and who is from Whanganui, indoor bowls champion Sean Johnson and retired NZ professional road and track cyclist Cath Cheatley.

Hosting the Games also brings significant economic benefits to Whanganui city and the broader region, estimated to be between $2 million and $5 million.