Runners from far and wide in Rotorua Marathon

More than 3500 runners from 27 countries have run in Rotorua today. The 54th Rotorua Marathon took place today with distances from 5.5km through to the full 42km.

An estimated 1250 people are participating in the full marathon and a further 1250 in the half marathon.

Among them is Greg Dunn from Matamata, who ran 21km in around 1 hour 50 minutes.

Image 1 of 28: Rotorua Marathon. Photo/Ben Fraser

"I'm pretty pleased. I try and achieve a couple a year and it's close to where I live and it's a nice environment."

Dunn, who is a doctor, said he ran for one of his patients. A young girl with cancer who doesn't have much time left.

"I was just pushing myself for her," he said.

Dunn said the event had been well run and organised and the conditions were perfect.

Father and daughter duo Danielle and Doug Robb ran the 5.5km and high-fived as they crossed the finish line.

Christchurch-based Blair McWhirter won the men's marathon. Photo / Ben Fraser

"My son is running the 10km, so mum, me and Danielle thought we'd do the 5.5km together," Doug said.

Alice Mason won the women's marathon. Photo / Ben Fraser

Christchurch-based Blair McWhirter won the men's marathon with a time of 2 hours 29 minutes.

Alice Mason won the women's marathon with a time of 2 hours 46 minutes and 45 seconds, the 10th fastest time in the marathon's history.

More than 3500 people ran on the day. Photo / Ben Fraser

Dawn Unwin was at the marathon supporting friends, a husband and wife running the full and half marathons respectively.

Robert and Sue Johnson cross the finish line. Photo / Ben Fraser

"It's amazing to watch the excitement that's here. It's beautiful the way it's run it has an energy about it that's really encouraging wherever you fit in the spectrum," she said.

"I'm blown away by it."

Race director Murray Fleming said he was pleased with how the day had gone.

"We couldn't have asked for a nicer day. There were a lot of changes this year with the new half marathon track to try keep it fresh. The feedback for that has been very positive," he said

"We have not heard of any majors on the course so that's really good and the numbers were strong."

Prizegiving is at 5pm.