Rotorua marathon competitor numbers on track to hit 4000 by race day

Japanese runner Saeki Makino took the men's title in the Rotorua full marathon last year. Photo/file

Runners have two weeks left of training before the 54th Rotorua marathon - which looks set to reel in more than 4000 competitors.

Race director Murray Fleming, of Event Promotions, said so far there had been just over 3000 entries.

"But we expect we should hit 4000 by race day."

There are four events - the full marathon, half marathon, RECT quarter marathon and a 5km event - with Fleming saying people could enter right up to and including race day on May 5.

"There are a lot of people out training, there really is. It's really good, we've got a new half marathon course this year and that may be where the increase in numbers has come from.

"Everyone seems to be really excited about it. They have spent a lot of time getting ready for it.

The new course goes up into the forest rather than just along the road, which Fleming thought may be pulling the punters.

"It's going to be considerably bigger than last year."

All road closures would be advertised closer to the event, but Fleming said the only real road closure was along Hamurana Rd from Unsworth Rd to State Highway 33.

The stretch of road would be closed from 8am until 1pm.

One of the competitors Fleming picked as a "top three seed" was 21-year-old Reporoa local and apprentice builder Michael Voss.

Voss won the Rotorua half marathon last year and the Huntly half marathon about two weeks ago.

Voss said he first got into long racing after he left high school.

"I had a bad year last year just with injuries and stuff so didn't do much last year but I'm on top of it now."

This will be his first full marathon.

"I'm a little bit nervous but I just have to trust the coach. I've done all the training and all that so it should be all right," Voss said.

His longest training run was 40km through the redwoods, "just cruising though".

"I hope to place, I don't have a time in mind but I will just see who turns up and go from there."