Support the Rotorua Half Ironman

The Rotorua Half Ironman is on tomorrow at Tikitapu (Blue Lake). Watch out for cyclists on Te Ngae Rd. Photo / File

If you want to give support to ordinary people doing extraordinary things head out to Tikitapu (Blue Lake) tomorrow and cheer on those in the Rotorua Half Ironman.

The event is a 2km swim, 90km bike ride to Lake Rotoma and back and then a 21km run around Tikitapu and Rotokakahi (Green Lake).

It has been held in Rotorua for eight years and is the best place in New Zealand for such an event, said race director Shane Hook. He said the scenery, competitors and overall atmosphere made it a special day.

The main race begins at 6.30am, but this year those who expect to finish later than seven hours can start at 5.45am. That means cyclists will be out on the bike course a bit earlier than in previous years. The bike course goes from Tikitapu along Tarawera Rd, right on to Te Ngae Rd and then right at the Whakatane turn-off. Motorists should give cyclists 1.5m when passing.

Spectators have been asked to stay at the event headquarters to keep the roads clear of extra traffic. "The start and finish line is where people should stay," Mr Hooks said.

"We try not to have cars out on the bike course or people on the run course." If you do go out to support take cash for food and drink, there will be bacon sandwiches and coffee to buy but because of no cellphone reception there is no Eftpos.

Mr Hooks said there were 650 people registered for the event, making it one of the biggest events he had organised. He said the after-match function was also going to be one of the biggest, with 400 tickets sold.

"I'm over the moon. We don't get the likes of Terenzo Bozzone or Cameron Brown, but that's understandable. It gives someone else a chance to win."

Details

What: Rotorua Half Ironman.
Where: Tikitapu (Blue Lake).
When: Tomorrow from 6.30am.
How much: Entries closed, free to spectators