Inaugural We Run the Forest running festival aims to beat the winter blues

We Run the Forest, at the Redwood forest, starts tomorrow at 9.30am. Photo / File

An inaugural Rotorua running festival is aiming to get people active and beating those winter blues.

We Run the Forest is being held tomorrowat the Redwood forest, starting from 9.30am.

The run/walk distances involved are 5.5km, 11km and 21km.

Event manager Tim Farmer said the aim behind this inaugural event was to try to motivate people to get out in winter.

He said the idea was to bring people into the Redwoods, which could be a cool place in winter with the likes of fog.

Farmer said the Redwoods had trails which were well maintained and it was an accessible area since it was close to town and the CBD.

"It's encouraging people to get out there, and it's quite a sociable event."

He said the event would also feature live DJs, and people were encouraged to wear their brightest clothing and costumes.

This was part of the whole festive fun feel to the event, he said.

"Some people will still be racing, but it's trying to foster that whole social wellbeing and environment, to get out when it's normally quite miserable in winter."

Farmer said the race had sold out within four weeks of opening. The event's second release of entries had also sold out, and it was anticipated there would be 1200 participants.

He encouraged people to come along to support the runners and check out the live DJs.

He said there was plenty to see and do, such as the Treewalk at the Redwoods.

For more information go to www.weruntheforest.co.nz.