Course right for the weather

It may not be the best of weather but Rotorua Off Road Half Marathon organiser Charlotte Pearson sees a silver lining.

With up to 1400 competitors taking part tomorrow, Pearson is confident the race will still go ahead.

The Met Service was predicting heavy showers and westerly gales expected to ease later today. However, tomorrow is expected to be mainly fine, with southerlies gradually dying away.

Pearson said the forecast was good news for those taking part in the half marathon, the 10km run and the two kids' races 1.5km and 3km.

The start/finish line is at the Waipa Saw Mill carpark, Whakarewarewa Forest with a two-lap course for the half marathon, utilising scenic trails and smooth gravel forest roads.

Pearson said anyone still interested to entering the race could sign up on the day from 7.30am. She said the children's races were designed for all fitness levels and parents could run along side their children to support them. However, Lake City Athletic Club also had members running along the course ensuring the competitors' safety. expected today, Pearson said the organisers had plans in place to check and if need be change the course.

The half marathon starts at 10am with the first runners expected to return about an hour later.

The 10km run starts at 11am. The 1.5km run for 3 to 6-year-olds starts at 9am and the 3km run for the 7 to 10-year-olds starts 10 minutes later.