6000 Athletes Set To Tackle Iconic Red Stag Rotorua Marathon
Press Release – Athletics New Zealand
Rotorua Gears Up for a Spectacular Red Stag Rotorua Marathon Weekend
The stage is set for one of New Zealand's most iconic running festivals, as the 2025 Red Stag Rotorua Marathon roars to life this weekend, with over 6,000 participants expected to take part across a series of exciting events.
From the return of a legendary cultural relay to a brand-new forest trail course and a kids' run that brings schools together in celebration of movement, this year's event promises to be one of the most vibrant and community-driven editions yet.
Thousands of Tamariki Take Over the Lakefront
Kicking off the action on Friday morning, more than 2,400 tamariki will lace up for the Matthews Sport Vision Kids' Mini Marathon. Covering 2.2km along the Rotorua Lakefront, the event brings together students from dozens of local schools for kids of all ages to get active and involved with the Event Weekend. The Mini Marathon continues to grow each year, helping to foster a lifelong love of running among the next generation.
Te Arawa Marae to Marae Relay Returns
Saturday morning will see the return of the Te Arawa Marae to Marae Relay, held for the first time since the 1990s. Featuring over 25 teams and 900 participants, the relay is steeped in cultural significance, taking in ten stages across key sites around Rotorua, including eight marae and two awa (rivers). Each team is made up of around 30 runners of all ages. The relay begins at Te Papa-i-Ōuru Marae in Ōhinemutu, completes the iconic loop of the lake and finishes at the new Red Stag Rotorua Marathon event village.
Whakarewarewa Forest Hosts New 12km Course
A new addition to this year's schedule is the new Go Media 12km, which begins at Te Puia, a renowned Māori cultural and geothermal centre located in the Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley. Te Puia is home to the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, the Kiwi Conservation Centre, and the Pōhutu Geyser, the largest active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere, erupting up to 20 times a day and reaching heights of 30 metres.
Runners will start their journey near the geyser, experiencing the geothermal wonders before traversing the Whakarewarewa Forest, known for its towering redwoods and scenic trails. The course offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty, providing participants with an unforgettable running experience.
A New Era for the Finish Line
For the first time, all events in the Red Stag Rotorua Marathon will finish in the heart of the newly redeveloped Rotorua Lakefront precinct, with a grand final stretch down the iconic Eat Streat. Runners will soak up the electric atmosphere as they descend the bustling dining boulevard, cheered on by crowds, before crossing the finish line outside the Novotel Rotorua Lakeside.
This new finish experience has been designed to celebrate the final moments of each runner's journey, creating a festival-like environment for athletes, spectators, and supportersalike. With entertainment, food, and community all in one place, it's set to be one of the most memorable finishes in the event's storied history.
National Titles on the Tarmac at Runway5
Saturday night will close with a bang as the Runway5 event takes over the Rotorua Airport runway. This fast and flat spectacle will double as the New Zealand 5km Road Championships, drawing the country's top speedsters to battle it out under lights for national honours. The people's 5km will see runners take on adventure under the stars, taking in the full length of the runway. A high-energy festival atmosphere , it's set to be a must-watch moment of the weekend.
The Marathon kicks off at 8 am on Saturday 3 May from the Government Gardens before heading off for the historic and well-loved lap of the lake. This year the event hosts the 2025
NZ Master's Marathon Championships.
Rotorua Local, Michael Voss returns to defend his Rotorua Marathon title. Last years runner up, Cullen Thorby is also set to challenge over 42.2km distance. Daniel Balchin will also be one to watch, coming into the race with a 2:22.25 best from Auckland in 2022.
Billie-Lee Haresnape finished third in the 2022 edition of the event and returns in 2025. Also looking to be top contenders is Rachel O'Brien who finished 4th in 2024 with a strong 3:10. 21 performance, and Angela Hancock who enters with a best of 2.58.49 from Sydney Marathon in 2024.
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