Rotorua's 54th marathon will be Regan Connor's first

Regan Connor with her son Oscar, 4. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

Regan Connor had already run a half marathon and was planning to run her first full when she fell pregnant.

About four years later, and 26kg lighter, she's finally getting around to it.

"Before I had my two littlest kids I'd run a half marathon and was planning on getting fit to do a full but then I had two little kids and got unhealthy," Connor said.

"Then last year I was a surrogate for some friends and that pregnancy really bombed my body so I decided I was going to be selfish and spend some time looking after myself."

Six months ago Connor joined the Rotorua Group Challenge Bootcamp and Jogging the Powerpoles.

She's since lost 26kg and decided to jump at every opportunity, which is why she entered the Rotorua Marathon.

But training hasn't been easy. With four children between 2 and 18, it's hard to find the time for long runs.

"It is really hard which is why I've been so lucky to have a supportive partner.

"I still don't feel prepared but my fitness in the last six months has just boosted."

Connor said she still did not feel prepared for the big day but was looking forward to making it over the finish line and trying not to be nervous.

She wanted to encourage others to get fit.

"It makes you feel good and gives you time to think about things, especially with kids running around at home. But it's always difficult, it's always hard but as your fitness increases, you recover faster."

Connor will be one of about 3500 runners competing today across all of the day's events, race director Murray Fleming said.

This compared with about 2800 in 2017.

"We had 2500 kids do the mini marathon [yesterday] and at the moment we're well on track for 3500 which is about a 25 per cent increase on last year's numbers."

Registrations will still be open today from 6.30am until 9am.

Fleming said there would be about 1250 people running the full marathon, 1250 running the half and another 1000 doing the quarter marathon or 5.5km run.

He said the marathon was unique in that it was around the whole lake and had been running for 54 years.

"There are a few bumps around the back near Mourea but it's not bad. There are a few hills but there are more challenging marathons around."

Fine weather is expected today with light winds forecast and a high of 16C.

The 54th Rotorua Marathon:
When: Today. Full marathon from 8.20am, half marathon from 8am, quarter from 8.45am and 5.5km run from 8.50am.
Where: Starts on Queens Drive within the Government Gardens. The full marathon is a full loop of Lake Rotorua. The half goes into Whakarewarewa Forest, the quarter and 5.5km include a loop of sulphur flats.
Distances: Full marathon, half marathon, quarter marathon, 5.5km run.
Road closures: Queens Drive from 6am to 6pm, Hinemare St southbound, from Arawa St to Amohau St (7.45am to 6pm), parts of Arawa St, Ranolf St and Lake Rd (7.45am to 10.30am), Fenton St from Arawa St to Whakaue St, both sides (7.45am to 10.30am), Hamurana Rd from Unsworth Rd to State Highway 33 at Mourea (9am to 1.30pm).