Rotorua's inaugural running festival has the potential to be one of the best events of its type, say organisers.
The festival on Sunday includes four events - 21km half marathon, 10km, 4km and 2km kids' dash - centred around the city's main streets, Lakefront and Redwoods Forest.
Festival organiser RobDocherty of Running Events said the flat, scenic course would attract people of all ages to get out and attempt one of the four distances.
"The course is the real attraction of the event - one of the best I've seen in the country - and all the races are achievable to most people, they can either run it or walk it," he said.
Runners will have staggered starts from near the Village Green beginning with the 10km at 8am, followed by the City of Rotorua half marathon at 8.20am, the 4km at 10.30am and the 2km kids dash scheduled for the last race of the morning at 11.30am. All races finish at the Village Green.
About 900 entries - from 500 entered in the half marathon to 50 children in the 2km dash - had been received for all four races up to mid-week, Mr Docherty said.
"I'm pleased with the numbers for the first time event.
"It would be great if we could get to 1000 entrants but I believe in three-to-five years the event could attract about 35,000."
WHAT: Rotorua Running Festival. WHERE: Village Green Fenton St (start/finish) via Sulphur Point and Redwoods Forest return. WHEN: Sunday (four races between 8am and 11.30am). Entries close 10pm tonight.
