Covid 19 coronavirus: Rotorua marathon may not include Auckland residents this year

Auckland residents will not be able to compete in the 2020 Rotorua Marathon, following the latest Covid-19 announcements from the government.

Yesterday Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed that New Zealand regions other than Auckland should be at alert level 1 at 11:59 pm on September 21.

This means that the Rotorua Marathon can take place on September 26, Athletics New Zealand has confirmed.

However, Ardern also said that Auckland should remain at alert level 2.5 until at least September 23 and that further restrictions on harvest sizes would likely continue to apply after that.

The Rotorua Marathon organizers released a statement on social media last night, saying that “unfortunately, participants residing in the Auckland region will not be able to participate in the Rotorua Marathon 2020.”

“We are very disappointed that this is the case, but the safety and well-being of all participants remains our priority.”

All Auckland-based participants could receive a 50 percent refund of their entry fee or a free transfer to the Rotorua Marathon 2021, scheduled for May 1, according to the statement.

“Each Auckland-based entrant will be contacted directly to confirm these details.”

Approximately 3,500 people participated in the Rotorua Marathon last year.