Rotorua Marathon: Free parking options for raceday

Rotorua Marathon VIPs (clockwise from bottom left) Christine Butler from Andy's Marquee Hire, Dennis and Pam Kenny, and Colin Smyth.Photo/Ben Fraser

Rotorua Marathon participants are being encouraged to take advantage of the free all-day parking being opened up for Saturday's raceday - with more than 9000 people expected to take part in the event.

The Pukuatua St car parking building will be free between 6am and 11pm (except for the reserved spaces), while there will also be free parking on the Pukeroa Oruawhata land off Hinemaru St by the Princes Gate and on the Village Green from 6am.

Two additional parking areas will be opened up - at the Government Gardens Golf Course and Golf Driving Range - from 6am. Parking costs $5 per vehicle.

The council is encouraging participants and supporters to use the additional off-street parking spots being made available, especially for the event as well as the free unlimited-time parking spaces on the edge of the central business district.

It said parking in the central business district would be monitored and time limits and payment requirements would apply as usual, because the inner city and retail needed regular parking.

The council said with estimates of between 20,000-30,000 out-of-towners coming to Rotorua and many street closures for marathon-related events, people coming into the city needed to take extra care, be patient and prepare for possible delays. Motorists accessing Koutu and Kawaha Point areas are also being advised that there will be limited access to and from Lake Rd and Fairy Springs Rd between 7am-10am on Saturday. Acting Senior Sergeant Pauline Jones of the Rotorua police said they were urging drivers to use common sense and courtesy in the days leading up to the marathon with increased traffic, as well as on the day itself.

Mrs Jones said extra staff would be working on marathon day.

Road closures start tomorrow, with Queens Dr being closed from 7am to midnight from Oruawhata Dr roundabout to Hatupatu Dr, and Hatupatu Dr will be closed from 3pm to 3.30pm.

On Saturday, there will be extensive road closures around the Energy Events Centre area, and parts of Arawa St, Fenton St, Ranolf St, Lake Rd and Hinemaru St.

Hamurana Rd will be closed from the corner of Unsworth Rd to the SH33 junction at Mourea from 9am to 1.30pm.