The race
About this course
The event features a variety of distances catering to all levels of runners, from full and half marathon to shorter fun run/walk options.
The marathon course is an anti-clockwise loop that begins and ends near the Novotel Rotorua Lakeside, providing an opportunity to experience the region’s natural beauty around Lake Rotorua. The half marathon offers a picturesque point-to-point route, commencing at Hamurana Springs and winding into the city, paralleling the latter half of the marathon course.
Runners in the 10km event will traverse geothermal pathways, with the route featuring notable landmarks such as the Pōhutu Geyser before continuing into Whakarewarewa Forest. This segment culminates at the scenic lakefront. The 5km course presents a blend of road and trail, incorporating a vibrant geothermal section adjacent to the Government Gardens.
The atmosphere is usually lively, with community involvement evident through local support and participation. The event draws a diverse array of participants, fostering a sense of camaraderie among runners and spectators alike.
Pick your race
Distances
Marathon
42.2km
Half Marathon
21.1km
10K
10km
5K
5km
What to expect
Race day conditions
Terrain and altitude come from the course. Weather is a ten-year average for this date, not a forecast.
Weather data by Open-Meteo(opens in a new tab).
The course
Race routes
Interactive Strava map with elevation profile and GPX data.
This map is based on a past edition of the event. The route for the upcoming edition may be different — check the official website.
Getting there
Event location
1115/1093 Tutanekai Street, Rotorua 3010, New ZealandGet directions(opens in a new tab)
From runners
What runners wish they’d known
Event details and map location come from public information on the official event website(opens in a new tab). If a listing looks out of date, or you need exact start lines and course maps, check the official source or email [email protected].
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Questions about this race?
Ask the NZ Running community about the course, parking, and what race day is like at Rotorua Marathon.