Grab the family and get amongst the action as part of the Rotorua Bike Festival's unique Ride the Runway event being held this Saturday at Rotorua Airport.
Proudly presented by Air New Zealand, this favourite family event features a new Kids Bike Trix Olympix event, other bike trick competitions, the creation of a bike-powered art installation, have-a-go penny farthings and electric bikes, fire engines, the chance to rub shoulders with some of New Zealand's top cyclists competing in the elite eliminator race, live music, food stalls, kids bike obstacle course and of course everyone's favourite, the chance to ride the runway.
There are also two major spot prizes up for grabs, a $1000 travel voucher from Air New Zealand and a brand new electric bike valued at $2000 from Electric Bike Rotorua and Volto.
The new Kids Bike Trix Olympix event designed for those 14 and under includes a series of bike skills competitions and prizes from Pita Pit Rotorua. Kids can also put their bike-stamp on a unique, colourful and chaotic art installation by riding through paint and along a 10m long canvas, or by printing or drawing their own bike parts.
Event organiser Jason Cameron from Rotorua Lakes Council's Events Team said the free event was all about participation and fun.
Image 1 of 11: Ride the Runway. Amelia Foote, 6, left, and Christian Foote, 4.
"We have some great events and entertainment this year and want people to just come and get involved. We've tried to bring all the different strands of what makes Rotorua special into the event and celebrate it in our own Rotorua way."
Registrations open at 5pm onsite. Kick-off begins at 6pm with the Kids Bike Trix Olympix, followed by the Holland Beckett Lawyers Elite Eliminator Race at 6.30pm, Ride the Runway event at 7pm, with the evening wrapping up at 7.45pm with the Need for Speed open speed session.
"Those wanting to make the most of this once-in-a-year opportunity to ride the runway need to make sure they have road-worthy bikes and helmets. If you don't want to get on a bike, come and watch the elite athletes do their thing and enjoy the off-track entertainment, food and festivities," Mr Cameron said.
Rotorua Airport chief executive Mark Gibb said was a great community event to host.
"We are a community asset, so opening up our gates - and runway - to people from throughout the Bay of Plenty in a way that is so unique to us and where we live, is a privilege."
Participants and spectators wishing to enter the airport runway to ride or watch the events will need to register from 5pm on the day at the venue, with photo ID required. People who do not have Photo ID must have someone 18 or over with Photo ID sign them in to verify their identity. Any photo ID is acceptable, including driver's license, student ID, firearms license etc.
Ride the Runway action timetable:
5pm Gates open for registration and pre runway festivities commence
6pm Kids Bike Trix Olympix
6.30pm Devil take the Hindmost Elite Elimination Cycle Race
7pm Ride the Runway - The Twilight Zone
7.45pm Need for Speed session