Cirque du Jelly Legs

A competitor celebrates with supporters after completing the Tauranga Marathon last year.

Cirque du Sore Legs, Jelly Legs and Speedy Gonzales are just some of the fun nicknames that competitors will be wearing on their personalised bibs for the Garmin Tauranga Marathon on Saturday.

With a fine day and light breeze forecast, Tauranga is turning on perfect running weather for the hundreds of walkers, runners and dashers who will be out competing in the full distance and shorter distance events.

With the 2km, 5km, 10km, 21km and the full 42.2km premier race, there is something for everyone. There are no age restrictions for the three shorter races, but racers need to be 14 years and over for the 21km, or at least 18 years for the full marathon event.

The longer events will begin earlier in the day, with the marathon and half marathon starting at 9.10am from Papamoa Beach Rd, heading along the coastal road to the Mount, around Mauao's base track, and over the bridge to Tauranga. The full marathon then extends along the harbour to Fergusson Park, back around the Waikareao Boardwalk track and into downtown Tauranga.

The 10km classic which begins at 8.45am in Harbour Drive will take runners and walkers around the Waikareao Boardwalk track and straight into the Tauranga CBD. The 5km fun run leaves from the Tauranga Harbour Marina at 8.45am, heads over the harbour bridge and along to the finish line. The kids dash at 2.30pm starts right next to that cheeky ragamuffin, Hairy Maclary and comprises two 1km loops with the final section a super-fun, super-breathless dash down The Strand to the finish line and that finisher medal.

All races finish up at the same finish line on The Strand in downtown Tauranga, a perfect place to rest and celebrate afterwards.

One of NZ's top city marathons, this popular event showcases some of the best of the city of Tauranga, with the highlights being Papamoa's ocean beach, the stunning base track around Mauao, the broad sweep of the harbour bridge and the beauty of the Waikaraeao Estuary loop. Finally of course, there is the thrilling city centre finish in the heart of the cafes, bars and restaurants in the downtown shopping area.

There will be spot prizes and trophies, and the grand prize of a big screen TV, but also everyone who finishes the Tauranga Marathon – irrespective of distance – will receive an exclusive commemorative medal.

You may also like....