Rotorua Off-Road Half Marathon deadline looms

BUILDING NICELY: Entries for the Copthorne Rotorua Off-Road Half Marathon have already reached 600. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

The early bird fee for the Copthorne Rotorua Off-Road Half Marathon will end this weekend. People have until midnight on Sunday to save $10 on their registration.

Already, 600 people have entered the event which includes the New Balance Quarter Marathon, Tasti 5km Fun Run/Walk and the Lance Lawson Little Devils Kids Race.

A field of 1500 runners and walkers is expected to line up on March 9.

Held in the Whakarewarewa Forest, the courses for all events are unique and offer all participants the chance to enjoy scenic forest trails and smooth gravel forest roads.

They have been designed to cater for runners and walkers of all abilities and are relatively flat with gradual rises and undulations.

The Off-Road Half Marathon is timed as a build-up event for the 50th Lion Foundation Rotorua Marathon on May 3.

The Lake City Athletic Club Marathon Clinic will be present, using the half or quarter marathons as a training run.