Taupo Off-road Event Provides Quarter Marathon Option Too

The Mizuno Taupo Off-road Half Marathon on Saturday 3 September provides runners and walkers a quarter marathon (10.5km) option as well as the traditional half marathon distance.

The off-road event complements the Taupo Mizuno On-road Half Marathon held the first weekend of August.  The Mizuno Taupo Off-road Half and Quarter Marathons were introduced to the events calendar three years ago due to the growing popularity of off-road half marathons.  The event starts in Kinloch Domain and travels along the picturesque W2K track from Kinloch to Whakaipo Bay.

Event Director Wayne Reardon says the off-road has a great atmosphere and the quarter marathon is becoming a popular option as it provides a good entry level event for those working up to the half marathon distance.  “We introduced the quarter marathon distance to allow and encourage supporters and family members to get involved in the sport,” he said.

This year the quarter marathon off-road will make up one of the four events in a new challenge – TryTaupo4, a series for those wanting to get off the couch and get active.  TriTaupo4 also includes a 40km leg of the Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, the Kinloch Triathlon and a section of the Across the Lake Swim.

Runners and walkers can enter the Mizuno Taupo Half and Quarter Off-road Marathons online at www.taupohalfmarathon.org.nz .  Late entries will also be available on the Friday before the event.

Proceeds from the Taupo Mizuno Off-road will go towards the maintenance of the W2K track and to the Kinloch Communication Association for the development of the Whangamata Stream Track.