A race fit for a king - or queen

HIGH HOPES: The Ngongotaha King and Queen of the Mountain race will be staged today. Pictured is co-organiser Marinus Adriaansz, in front of Mount Ngongotaha. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 240114BF9

The title of King and Queen of the Mountain will be contested today during a long-standing race up Mt Ngongotaha.

The event is being staged at 1pm today as part of the Rotorua A&P Show.

It has been held on and off since 1970 and starts from the Rotorua A&P showgrounds in Ngongotaha.

Co-organiser Marinus Adriaansz said it provided a good test for anyone wanting to take part.

"It is a good challenge," he said.

"That is what I found when I was running it. It provides a challenging run up and down the mountain, and I love the hills."

The runner to beat will be Kaharoa's Winston Fleming, who has dominated the event.

The course is about 4km long and includes a trophy for both King and Queen of the Mountain.

Adriaansz said the mountain race was re-instated last year after lapsing for a couple of years.

He said the race used to be quite popular in Rotorua and they hoped to attract some good numbers today.

A competitive time up and down the course is anything under 20 minutes, with the course only reaching part way up the mountain.

It is free to enter the race but there is an entry fee for the showgrounds today, for the Rotorua A&P Show.