With entries due to close on Wednesday, record numbers have already been reached for this Sunday's ACC Whangarei Half Marathon and 9km Run/Walk.
Last year, 860 people took part and with still a few days to go over 950 entries have been received for this Sport Northland organised event. Sport Northland's events team leader Azelia Parkinson is delighted with the increase in numbers.
"I'm hopeful the event may reach 1000 participants by the closing date," Parkinson said.
The half marathon runners and walkers will leave the Town Basin at 8am and head out to Onerahi via the new Kotuitui Whiti pedestrian bridge and the Te Matau a Pohe bridge to cover the 21.1km course, before returning to the finish line at the Canopy Bridge.
The 9km runners and walkers will leave the Canopy Bridge at 9am, cross Riverside Drive and head towards the Hatea River track along to Whareora and Paranui Valley Roads, returning through Mair Park to the start/finish line at the Canopy Bridge. People travelling around the Riverside, Onerahi, and Whareora Road areas on Sunday are asked to take care and expect delays with the influx of participants.