Kids finish final leg of 40km run on marathon course

More than 1500 Rotorua primary and intermediate school children will complete the final 2.1kms in the Rotorua Mini Marathon tomorrow.

Participating children are required to track 40km worth of running in the build up to the event so that they can complete the final 2.1km of their marathon on the actual Rotorua Marathon course.

"This gives them an idea of just how far a full marathon is, and a true sense of accomplishment when they complete it," Sport Bay of Plenty School Sport team leader Gareth Yates said.

The event is being organised as a collaborative project between Event Promotions, Events and Venues, Athletics New Zealand and Sport Bay of Plenty, with the aim of getting more primary school children involved in this event and get a taste of the benefits of staying fit and healthy.

Mr Yates said the growth in the event was phenomenal.

"It just keeps growing - This is the fifth year the Mini Marathon has run with a growth of about 300 per cent from 578 children in 2012 up to 1530 this year. The excitement and buzz around the schools is contagious."

Each participant receives a Certificate of Completion and the opportunity to take home a spot prize to acknowledge the significant effort from the children.

The first race begins 10am outside the Energy Events Centre in the Government Gardens.