Te Arawa
Marae to Marae Relay
A cultural celebration of running, community, and connection
The Te Arawa Marae to Marae Relay, once a hugely popular event in the 1990s, proudly returns.
Open exclusively to registered Te Arawa Marae teams, the relay honours tradition, whakapapa, and the connection between Rotorua’s marae, its people, and its whenua..
More than a race.
Race Details
| Date | Saturday 2nd May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Entry Info | Info to be confirmed.
For enquiries please contact:
Makuini Hapi
Te Papa Tākaro o Te Arawa
Coordinator: Te Arawa Marae to Marae Relay,
Email: makuini@papatakaro.org.nz |
| Start Line | Te Papa-I-Ōuru Marae, Ōhinemutu Village Tutanekai Street |
| Finish Line | Novotel Lakeside Rotorua |
| Start Time | 8:30 AM |
| Time Limit | Competitors need to be at the 23.5km mark (Ramada Resort) by 1.00pm, otherwise there will be a minivan for those that don't make the cut off and they will be taken to the finish line. Official event timing will cease at 5.00pm. Those crossing the finish line after this time will be deemed not to have finished and will not be eligible for the finisher's medal. |
| Who Can Enter | Registered Te Arawa Marae Teams. See Participation Guidelines and Terms and Conditions below. |
Course Details
Start Line: Te Papa-i-Ōuru Marae in Ōhinemutu Village — the historic original starting point
Finish Line: Tutanekai Street outside Novotel Lakeside Rotorua — the shared heart of the Rotorua Marathon finish line
Course: Ten stages, ranging from just under 2KM to 6KM
Highlights: Each stage carries cultural and historical significance, connecting marae, awa, and landmarks around Lake Rotorua along the marathon course
This unique relay format allows runners of all abilities to contribute, carrying the wairua of their marae across the stages and uniting at the finish.
