Rotorua Marathon among first mass-participation events since pandemic

Cherie Bouma (left) and Sarah Pritchard wave to their supporters to celebrate the last few steps at last year's Rotorua Marathon. Photo / File

As one of the first mass-participation running events to be staged anywhere in the world since the outbreak of Covid-19, the rescheduled 2020 Rotorua Marathon on Saturday will be a significant moment for the New Zealand running community.

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Following government confirmation that New Zealand (outside of the Auckland region) is now at alert level 1, the iconic event finally has the green light to proceed and is expected to attract about 2000 entries, who will compete over the full marathon, half marathon, 10km and 5.5km distances.

Originally set to take place on May 2, the 56th edition of the Rotorua Marathon was postponed to its September date due to the impact of the global pandemic.

"We're delighted the Rotorua Marathon is going ahead," Athletics NZ chief executive Peter Pfitzinger said.

"With the Covid-19 pandemic, over 40 major marathons and half marathons around the world, and several in New Zealand, have been cancelled. We are really fortunate to be able to hold an event of this magnitude, one of the few in the world so far this year.

"But, at the same time, we are highly disappointed that Auckland's alert level 2 restrictions mean that runners and walkers from the Auckland region are not able to participate this year and we look forward to hosting all New Zealanders for the 2021 edition.

"The Rotorua Marathon is one of the leading events on the annual running calendar and we hope everyone has a great experience."

The event is also welcomed by the region with Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick saying it continues to attract thousands of visitors, as well as capturing the imagination of the locals.

"Our community loves this event," she said.

"It's a day when Rotorua really comes out in force to show that manaakitanga we are famous for and that keeps people coming back. We look forward to welcoming Aucklanders back in future and we wish all of this year's participants a wonderful Rotorua experience."

The race will serve up a whole range of participants from septuagenarian walkers and novice runners to experienced club members as they take on the challenge of meeting a range of personal goals, which range from health and fitness reasons to raising money for dozens of charitable causes."

Despite the 2020 Rotorua Marathon no longer including the New Zealand Marathon Championships due to not all regions being able to participate, Saturday's event has attracted some high-quality elite fields.

Leading the contenders in the men's marathon is the experienced Blair McWhirter, who will hope to regain the title he won in 2018.

The 37-year-old Cantabrian has an impressive lifetime best of 2h 22m and will seek to go one better than he managed when finishing second in the 2019 edition.

Among his main rivals will be local favourite Michael Voss, who placed third in 2019 and recorded a blistering 2h 22m 34s when finishing runner-up in last year's Auckland Marathon.

Also entered are four-time Coast to Coast multisport athlete Sam Clark (Whakatāne) and 40-year-old Cantabrian veteran Vajin Armstrong, who boasts a lifetime best of 2h 28m.

Locals will be hoping for more home success in the elite women's race as Alice Mason pursues a hat-trick of victories.

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The 33-year-old Rotorua-based doctor – boasting a best of 2h 38m 35s – was a decisive winner in both 2018 and 2019 and, should she complete a three-peat, will match the achievement of Olympian Nyla Carroll, who romped to three straight wins from 1994 to 1996.

Another leading female entry is Wellington-based Mel Aitken, who has a personal best of 2h 47m 42s.

The marathon starts at 8am with the marathon walk under way at 8.05am. The starting gun will fire for the Red Stag Timber Half Marathon at 8.15am with the Red Stag Timber Half Marathon walk to follow at 8.20am.

The 10km event for runners and walkers will begin at 8.35am with the 5.5km event under way at 9am.

Online entries have now closed but late entries can still be taken at registration, which takes place at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre on Friday between 2pm and 9pm and on Saturday before 8am.