It starts with a hiss and a roar, and ends with a jump in a lake.
Possibly the world's most unique marathon, the Tarawera Trail Marathon and 50km starts in the mists of Te Puia when nearly 1500 runners and walkers treat themselves to some of the world's most beautiful scenery while completing the challenge.
A range of run/walk challenges are scheduled, and numbers are up 500 from last year.
Event creator Paul Charteris puts the increase down to the addition of the Tikitapu Trail which is either a 16km or 23km event.
Many marathon participants' family and friends have entered the shorter distance event to give them something to do while they wait for the marathon to finish.