The children set off with enthusiasm for last year’s Rotorua Mini Marathon event. Photo/NZME

Rotorua youngsters can lace up their trainers and score an impressive goal, with the return of the Rotorua Mini Marathon.

The Mini-Marathon is an annual event for children in grades 1-8, held the day before the Rotorua Marathon.

This year, the Mini Marathon takes place on Friday May 6th.

Each child will run a total of 40km in the weeks leading up to the day of the event, then run the last 2km of their full marathon distance at the mini marathon on that date.

Georgia Smith, Event Promotions Marketing and Sponsorship Manager, says the Mini-Marathon is a great event for local school children to get involved in as it provides them with a physical activity goal to achieve and tracks their progress. by covering 40 km of running (or walking) in preparation for the day of the event.

“This is a massive achievement for so many of our participants who don’t consider themselves active or athletic kids, or have never competed in an ‘event’ before, let alone a full marathon of running. (or walking).

“It also gives many of them their first experience of an event day.

“Seeing children surrounded by hundreds of others to walk their last 2 miles in a fun and positive atmosphere really reinforces the positive message of getting out and being active, and the overall positive impact it can have on well-being. children.”

In 2021, there were just under 3000 children who participated in the Mini Marathon.

“It’s a normal response because we have school groups that come back every year to take part in this event.”

Georgia says it’s well known why physical activity is beneficial for people of all ages, and Event Promotions likes to encourage people of all ages to get out and try some form of physical activity.

“Having children participate in the mini-marathon, as well as our other events suitable for this age group, provides them with a fun and safe event, adapted to their abilities.

“By providing children with positive, quality opportunities to participate at such a young age, it will hopefully be a stepping stone to developing a lifelong love of physical activity.”

Registration is now open – all children must enter through their school and the school will forward their school group worksheets to the registration officer, Khushali.

If you have any questions, you can contact her at info@eventpromotions.co.nz. Admissions are $6 per child.

Under the current red light system, all Ministry of Health Covid-19 guidelines will be required at event promotion events – scanning QR codes, showing vaccine passes if required, social distancing and wearing masks.

Keep an eye on the Event Promotions website and social media for any Covid-19 related updates.