Raincoats recommended for Bay marathon spectators

MARATHON CONTENDER: Helena Chesworth from Christchurch will have plenty of local support during the Hawke's Bay marathon from her mother Jane Chesworth and Tony Cross from Napier. Photo/Paul Taylor

More than 4,000 people will be lacing up their running shoes in preparation for the 2017 Air New Zealand Hawke's Bay marathon this morning and spectators are encouraged to prepare for a wet event.

A severe weather watch for heavy rain and southerly gales was issued for Hawke's Bay yesterday after a front moved eastwards across the North Island.

Metservice meteorologist Ravi Kandula said although this week's rain would ease off by today, showers and cooler temperatures would still linger.

Mr Kandula said occasional showers were set to fall throughout the day and added that exposed places would experience strong southerlies.

Yesterday's rainfall measured 30mm-50mm, meaning that the ground underfoot for the marathon, a mix of road, limestone track and vineyard land, would be fairly firm for the event.

"There will be some moisture on the ground but given that Hawke's Bay hasn't had a lot of saturation in the last couple of weather events I would expect there wouldn't be much surface moisture left," Mr Kandula said.

Last night's low dropped to 8 degrees and Mr Kandula added that by the time the marathon kicked off the temperature would still be relatively cool.

The running festival, comprising a marathon, half marathon, 10km and 3km kids' race, is set to take in the region's highlights with the course tracking through cycle trials, vineyards, olive groves and country roads.

The main event is scheduled to start at 9am on Marine Parade, Napier, between Edwardes Street and Sale Street.

Those enduring the race will pace past picturesque views and spend the last 10km running through private vineyards before finishing at Sileni Estates Winery.

Anyone who finishes the marathon will receive a finisher medal and those who place 1st, 2nd and 3rd overall in the mens and womens races will receive $3,000, $1,500 and $750 prize money respectively.

Marine Parade, Te Awa Ave, Eriksen Rd, Awatoto Rd, Brookfields Rd, and Twyford Rd will be closed throughout the day to accommodate runners.