Seeking old trainers for bright marathon display

Rotorua's going to be decorated with shoes, pictured are Event Promotions' Emma Wilson with Rotorua District councillor Karen Hunt. Photo/Ben Fraser

What do you do with old running shoes? If you're in Rotorua, the answer is donate them for a piece of artwork to celebrate the marathon's 50th anniversary.

Organisers Event Promotions have teamed up with Rotorua District Council to create art installations using old shoes. They want to involve the community in the lead up to the race, on May 3.

"We want to do something community-based so Rotorua people know what's going on as we lead into the event," said Emma Wilson, who is co-ordinating the project for Event Promotions. "It will be similar to the coloured bikes for the Rotorua Bike Festival but we want to get the community involved. This idea has come from the community. There are a lot of runners in the city and I know I've got a large collection of old shoes myself, so this is the perfect opportunity to have a clear out."

All shoes donated will be spray-painted bright colours and put on to posts. At least 60 pairs are needed but if more are donated there are plans to create a shoe fence. "It would be great if we could get some really old running shoes from 50 years ago, you never know what people hang on to," Miss Wilson said.

"I'm a bit nervous about collecting them though, especially the condition some of them will be in."

Rotorua District councillor Karen Hunt said it was a great idea. "It's about putting your best foot forward as a community," she said.

"The whole idea is about being dressed head to toe and this is making a mark. The marathon is 50 and we want to show how much running and outdoor sports mean to all of us and how many people engage in physical activity. We know the marathon puts us on the map and this shows how much the event means to the community."

Shoes can be dropped into the City Focus i-SITE, the Lake City Athletic Club rooms at Neil Hunt Park, or Event Promotions at 92 White St.