Awesome Runners Descend on Tauranga in October for Inaugural International Marathon

The countdown is on for the inaugural Tauranga International Marathon, which is set to see thousands of serious runners, first timers, plodders, fun-seekers, families and kids descend on the sunshine capital-of-the-north on Saturday 7 October.

The marathon, organised by Total Sport, boasts a “flat, fast and fun” terrain. With a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean, Tauranga Harbour, and Matakana and Rangiwaea Islands, the event that offers 42.2km, 21.1km, 10km or 5km options, as well as a 2km kids’ (and parents’!) dash, has a vista that rivals some of the most sought-after international marathons in the world.

For its inaugural event, Tauranga International Marathon has partnered with Live More Awesome, a nonprofit charity and movement dedicated to inspiring, encouraging, informing and finding help for people struggling with their mental health.

Live More Awesome’s philosophy is about helping everyone improve their mental health. Their mission is to reinforce that everybody has mental health that needs to be acknowledged and looked after, just like their physical health.

According to Aaron Carter, Founder of Total Sport and the Tauranga International Marathon, “We strongly believe that physical health can help support good mental health. Taking care of your body is a powerful first step towards mental and emotional well-being.

“An event like this can bring a lot positivity someone’s life, gained not just from training, endorphins and sense of achievement, but also from the community, shared experience and togetherness.

“We are delighted to have partnered with this superb charity to bring a little bit more awesome into the lives of locals, and domestic and international visitors to Tauranga.”

Founder of Live More Awesome, Jimi Hunt says, “The Tauranga International Marathon is a brilliant partner to help us showcase some of the mental health benefits of walking, running, getting out in the sun and becoming part of a wider community of amazing people. We’re also really excited to try and make this the most love-filled marathon in the world, encouraging and helping anyone and everyone who is looking to get involved for their first or 100th marathon.”

The full marathon starts and finishes at The Strand, next to the beautiful Tauranga waterfront. Runners will meander through the Daisy Hardwick boardwalk and estuary section, then make their way to Mount Maunganui, where they will head around the Mount loop track, then zoom along Marine Parade, right next to the ocean, before heading along Matapahi Rd, through some stunning rural vistas. They will then cross the Matapihi rail bridge and will finish slap bang in Tauranga’s best bar and restaurant area, where they will be awarded their finisher’s medal.

The Tauranga Half Marathon starts at Blake Park and follows the same track from the Mount Loop.

The Tauranga 10km run/walk starts at Moa Park on Ocean Beach Rd and then Marine Parade, before heading along Matapahi Rd, crossing the Matapihi rail bridge and finishing at the same place.

The Tauranga 5km run/walk starts at the Omanu golf course (Matapihi Rd) where runners will head along Matapahi Rd, then cross the Matapihi rail bridge before heading to the finish line.

The first woman and man in the full marathon will receive $2000 each, with second place getters nabbing $1,000 and third place $500.

In the half marathon, the first-placed woman and man will each receive $1,000, with second place getters taking out $500 and third $250.

All participants will enjoy the Tauranga International Marathon festival at the finish line, where there will be food trucks, live entertainment, local produce, including avocados, cheese, kiwifruit and seafood, as well as a kids’ play area.

Full and half marathon winners will receive a finisher’s medal.

Prices range from $19 for the kids dash to $149 for the full marathon (special price until 17 September).

The entry form is here.

FAQs are here.

The event info, including a course map, is here.

A training programme is here.

Some motivational stories are here and here.

The event Facebook page is here.

ENDS

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