Editorial: Rotorua adores big run

It is easy to liken a marathon to a good Hollywood movie. It can have it all - the good, the bad and the ugly.

This year's 49th Lion Foundation Rotorua Marathon had it all.

If you were lucky enough to go along and enjoy the atmosphere, there was everything to see, from the jubilation of Timaru's Sam Wreford (men's winner) and Hamilton's Erin Furness (women's winner) crossing the finish, to Reporoa's Hamish Worboys who collapsed at the finish line totally exhausted, only to be helped back up by his wife-to-be Jess Cain. Who says the good guy never gets the girl?

Rotorua comes alive around marathon time especially in the city where the vibe is positive. You only have to walk into any of the local cafes and see runners of all shapes and sizes who have completed their events re-living their run or walk.

It can be contagious seeing their smiles and hearing their laughter.

Next year the marathon will celebrate its 50th jubilee and it is sure to be bigger and better than any of its 49 previous events.

Maybe we might even see a Rotorua man make history and win it for the first time since it was sponsored in 1965. Prior to 1965, the event was run as a club marathon starting in 1962.

I'm sure organisers will have something special to celebrate the event next year and those wanting to be part of the history, will need to get in early to enter. I'm sure one bloke who will be doing everything he can to make sure he's on the start line will be Rotorua marathon legend Colin Smyth, who just racked up his 48th Rotorua Marathon.

Congratulations to all who took part.