More than 4,000 people will be lacing up their running shoes in preparation for the 2017 Air New Zealand Hawke's Bay marathon this morning and spectators are encouraged to prepare for a wet event.
A severe weather watch for heavy rain and southerly gales was issued for Hawke's Bay yesterday after a front moved eastwards across the North Island.
Metservice meteorologist Ravi Kandula said although this week's rain would ease off by today, showers and cooler temperatures would still linger.
Mr Kandula said occasional showers were set to fall throughout the day and added that exposed places would experience strong southerlies.
Yesterday's rainfall measured 30mm-50mm, meaning that the ground underfoot for the marathon, a mix of road, limestone track and vineyard land, would be fairly firm for the event.