What's On: 3D Rotorua Multisport Festival

Children and elite multisporters will rub shoulders this weekend as the 3D Rotorua Multisport Festival gives everyone the opportunity to compete.

There's a 2km fun run and walk for children under 10 and, at the elite level, the Premier Multisport race, which doubles up as the Australasian Multisport Championships.

It's not too late to get involved. Online entries closed last night but late entries will be taken from 3pm to 8pm tomorrow at the Holiday Inn on Tryon St.

This is the third year of the event and numbers have grown to such an extent the lake component has been moved to Tikitapu (Blue Lake) from Lake Okareka.

Festival director Neil Gellatly said this meant that as well as more parking, spectators could watch the paddling sections in their entirety from the shoreline.

"Lake Okareka is a beautiful lake but I think people are more aware of Tikitapu. It's a popular holiday and tourist spot and it's good for spectating - you can see paddlers all the way around."

The event has 10 events and more than 100 different race categories. A good proportion of entries are multiples with families entering parents and children into different events.

"That's what we want," Mr Gellatly said.

"We don't want to exclude anyone. One of the cool things is seeing the under-10s 2km fun run and the secondary school multisporters finish.

"We've also got a race where parents and their offspring can race together."

Races start from Tikitapu (Blue Lake) and from the Redwoods Visitor Centre, depending on the event. Most events finish under the Redwoods Sails, bar the paddle event, which starts and finishes at Tikitapu.

For more information on race start times visit www.3drotorua.co.nz.