Athletics: International flavour to Rotorua Marathon

Runners run over the Auckland Harbour Bridge during the 2015 Auckland Marathon. Photo / Getty Images

Competitors from 17 countries will be taking part in this year's events at the Lion Foundation Rotorua Marathon.

Australia (49) and Japan (23) will provide the bulk of the international entries with Canada, China, Germany, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Indonesia, Poland and South Africa all represented by multiple entries.

The countries with a sole entrant include Argentina, Isle of Man. Jordan, Kenya, Slovenia and Switzerland.

Athletics New Zealand Events Manager Gareth Archer, is excited by the big number of overseas visitors coming to Rotorua for the marathon.

"Rotorua is an iconic marathon with a unique course. It's also the oldest major marathon in Oceania, in a city renowned for its thermal wonders and scenic beauty so it's not surprising that we attract many international visitors to Rotorua for the race each year," Archer said.

Rotorua Marathon is on Saturday April 30. The half marathon starts at 8am and the full marathon is under way at 8:20am, both from the Rotorua Energy Events Centre.