10 reasons to tackle the Rotorua Marathon

ICONIC: Runners running through the Princes Gate at the start of last year's Rotorua Marathon. PHOTO/FILE

Entries are rolling in for the 51st Rotorua Marathon and Athletics New Zealand has released its top 10 reasons why runners should tackle the iconic event.

This year's event is on Saturday, May 2 and features shorter events such as the Kids Mini Marathon right up to the 42.2km flagship race.

Athletics New Zealand's top 10 reasons why people should enter the 51st marathon include the crowd support, the iconic lake and the challenge.

The Rotorua Marathon remains a stand out leader among races and with hilly sections between 17-20km and an energy-sapping 600-700m gradual incline at 24km it is not a marathon for the faint-hearted, but the satisfaction to be gained from completing it is something to truly treasure, said Athletics New Zealand's Brett Addison.

"The main appeal of the marathon is it is just one lap of the lake," said Rotorua's Colin Smyth, who has finished all the previous marathons.

"I've competed in marathons of two laps, five laps but it is just not the same."

Top of Athletics New Zealand's list is that the Rotorua Marathon is considered New Zealand's number one.

The most historic marathon in New Zealand should be on every aspiring runner's bucket list, said Bernie Portenski, who has finished it 32 times with 11 podium finishes.

"It is always the biggest marathon in New Zealand and because it was Rotorua, it was something I had to do annually," she said.

"This is the New York or Boston Marathon of New Zealand, so why wouldn't you do it?"

Entries are available until race morning, you can enter online at www.rotoruamarathon.co.nz.