An angry motorist pulled on to the wrong side of a busy state highway, forcing runners in the Rotorua Marathon into oncoming traffic.
Police are investigating yesterday's incident near Ngongataha which followed a verbal altercation between the driver and official cyclists ahead of the runners. It is understood the driver pulled in front of the lead runners and stopped the car, forcing the group to pass around the vehicle.
"It was really dangerous for the runners and others on the road," a witness said. "All the guys swerved around the car. He looked like he was trying to block them and was being really abusive."
Acting Sergeant Grant Keys, of Rotorua police, said the driver of the car had been identified and was being spoken to.
"No one has been arrested but we still need to speak to the officials," Keys said.
