Tauranga International Marathon partners with Live More Awesome in 2018

Jane Moore celebrates making it over the finish line at the 2017 Tauranga International Marathon. Photo/file

Tauranga International Marathon will return this September after debuting in the city last year.

The event, which saw over 1200 runners traverse the city's beautiful natural landscapes in 2017, will again take to the streets of Tauranga.

The marathon includes 42.2km, 21.1km, 12km and 6km options, as well as a 2km kids (and parents) dash.

Tauranga International Marathon founder Aaron Carter said this year's course would be slightly different – from Papamoa to The Strand – and will end with a big party at the finish line, not only for runners, but supporters and the Tauranga community to enjoy.

"Because of the flat and fast course and the stunning views, it's a bucket list event for seasoned runners as well as an ideal first-time option."

The full marathon starts in Papamoa. Runners will head on a direct course towards Mount Maunganui, along the ocean, before travelling around the Mauao base track. People will run past Pilot Bay then up and over the Tauranga Harbour Bridge and back to the water's edge on the other side.

Runners will then head along the foreshore to Fergusson Park before tracking through the Waikareao Estuary, including the Daisy Hardwick boardwalk, and finishing in the heart of the city centre, where they will be awarded their medal.

Tauranga International Marathon will again partner with Live More Awesome, a non-profit charity and movement dedicated to inspiring, encouraging, informing and finding help for people struggling with their mental health.

Live More Awesome's philosophy is about helping everyone improve their mental health. Their mission is to reinforce that everybody has mental health that needs to be acknowledged and looked after, just like their physical health.

For the first time, the marathon will also partner with Girls Who Run NZ for the 12km event.

Girls Who Run NZ is a new coaching programme and group of female Kiwi runners, connecting and inspiring each other to reach their running goals.

The first woman and man in the Tauranga International Marathon will receive $2000 each, with second place getters nabbing $1000 and third place $500.

In the Half Marathon, the first-placed woman and man will each receive $1000, with second place getters taking out $500 and third $250.