Race Day

It’s the big day! Here's your essential guide to ensure you have a successful and safe experience.

RACE BIB
Pin your race bib to your shirt's front. Ensure it has your correct race details and is the correct distance.

Also, complete the info on the back in case of medical assistance needs. Stay safe out there!

TIMING TRANSPONDER
Your bib number comes equipped with a timing transponder. Start under the start banner and finish at the finish line for accurate timing.

Official rankings use gun time, but your start and finish times are also recorded.

CHANGING FACILITIES & TOILETS
Our venue, the Rotorua Energy Events Centre, has excellent facilities, including restrooms, showers, and a changing area. Don't forget to take your belongings with you. There are also toilets along the course if needed. We've got your comfort in mind!

BAG DROP & STORAGE
Our bag drop opens at 6:30am on Saturday inside the Rotorua Energy Events Centre. Label your bag with your name and race number. Retrieve your gear by 5:00pm on Saturday, showing your event number for collection.

Half marathon bag drop is at the start line from 7:00am to 7:45am. After their race, participants can then collect their bag from the bag drop area at Rotorua Energy Events Centre.

HALF MARATHON TRANSPORTATION
Bus transportation is included for ALL participants with their Half Marathon entry. Buses will take participants from the outside the Rotorua iSite on Fenton St (which will be open with amenities including the Junction Cafe) within 5min walk from the Rotorua Energy Events Centre.

Buses start departing from 6:30am to 7:00am (last departure) to Whangamarino School, a journey of approximately 15mins. For logistical and safety reasons, there will be NO personal drop-offs permitted for participants. Participants must use the event transport provided within their entry.

PARKING
On Friday, use the Rotorua Energy Events Centre car park via Queens Drive.

On race day, enjoy free parking at Rotorua Village Green (lake end of Fenton Street), about 600m from the start line and registration. Parking within Government Gardens won't be available on race day.

Keep in mind, town parking is metered and traffic wardens will be around.

MEDICAL AID & CARE
Medical support by Peak Safety EMT will be at the finish area.

To ensure your comfort after the event, have warm clothes ready for you after you finish. Consider having family or friends assist you after the event.

KILOMETRE MARKERS
For the full marathon and Red Stag Half Marathon each kilometre will be signposted and will indicate the distance travelled.

TIME LIMIT
Official event timing will cease at 5.00pm Saturday evening.

TRAFFIC & EVENT SUPPORTERS
Queens Drive will be closed to vehicles from 6am-6pm.

Traffic management will be active from 9:00am-1:30pm between Hamurana and Mourea, with only official vehicles allowed on this part of the course.

We strongly advise event supporters against following the event by any means of transportation, including bikes.

Course vehicles will be available to assist entrants who may be unable to complete their event, ensuring their safe return to the finish area.

RESULTS & PRIZE GIVING
Results will be posted online within 24 hours.

Watch this space for details our our reimagined Prize Giving for 2024. Spot Prizes will be randomly drawn from all event entrants. Remember, you must be present to claim your prize. Don't miss out on the chance to win!

The events are run under the competition rules of Athletics New Zealand.

Keep Right
Stick to the right-hand side of the road, except for the final stretch, and within Government Gardens. Failure to do so may result in disqualification, especially in winding or narrow sections.

Road Safety
Although some sections of the road are closed, local residents may access their properties. Remember, you're a pedestrian and participate at your own risk. Don't assume right of way or that there's no traffic.

Stay Inside the Cones
Always stay inside the line of any road cones on the course. Failure to do so may lead to disqualification. Walkers, please stay no more than two abreast to avoid blocking runners or causing hazards. Follow instructions from Police, Event Officials, and Marshals.

Late Finishers
If you expect to finish after 7 hours, carry your own drinks or have support available towards the end of the course.

No Wheeled Conveyances
Baby buggies, scooters, and similar devices (including wheelchairs with the exception of Runway5) are not allowed. Pets are also not permitted.

No Headphones
For the safety of all participants, headphones, earphones, or any hearing-impairing devices are not permitted due to varying road closure conditions.

Your friendly Pacer will keep you motivated and share their marathon wisdom, especially during those challenging final kilometers. With their extensive marathon experience, they understand the highs and lows of the race.

Running with a pace group offers multiple benefits. Maintaining a steady pace is crucial in a marathon - too fast early on can be costly, and too slow might mean missing your target time. Plus, running with a group provides valuable companionship that helps the miles fly by.

You'll easily spot your Pacer with colorful balloons and a bib displaying the target time on their back. Just head to the start chute sign with your desired time. Feel free to join a group at any point during the race.

Typically, pace groups have two Pacers:

• A: Leads the group and sets the pace.

• B: Follows at the back and acts as a backup Pacer if needed.

If you've entered the walking section for the full marathon or Half Marathon, you're in the race for trophies and merit prizes. Trophies will be given to the fastest male and female walkers.

We trust in the integrity of our entrants to genuinely walk the entire event. Please honour the spirit of the event and follow the walking criteria. If a walking competitor is observed running, they will be reclassified as a runner in the results.

If you think you might want to run or jog, please register as a runner.

Identification:

• Walkers will have different number sequences than runners.

• Walkers' race bibs will have red numbers (while runners and 5.5km participants have black font).