Cross country: Bishop's Farm a true country test

The best cross country runners from across the region will be put to the test in Rotorua tomorrow. Photo/Stephen Parker

The best cross country runners from across the region will compete in Rotorua during the Athletics Waikato Bay of Plenty Cross Country Championships.

The big event returns to Rotorua tomorrow for the first time since 1986. The event is being held at Bishop's Farm on SH30 from noon tomorrow, near the Whakatane turn off.

When last held in Rotorua the event was organised by the Ngongotaha Track Club, on farmland at Mamaku.

The new course at Bishop's Farm is the same course Lake City Athletic Club use for their club championships.

Runners from all over the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region will take part tomorrow with major clubs like Hamilton City Hawks, Tauranga Ramblers, Whakatane, Taupo and the host club Lake City attending. The course is generally flat across the 2km lap but can prove testing if rain has fallen before race day.

There is a series of short sharp hills at the 1300m to 1400m mark and these are followed by a short swampy area, which tests the runners in the multi-lap races.

In addition to the running events, an open walk event across two laps is being held and this will double as the Lake City's cross country walking championships.