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Auckland residents have been banned from participating in the upcoming Rotorua Marathon due to Covid-19 fears, despite government restrictions allowing domestic travel.
Participants were told via a Facebook post on Monday that the annual event, which generally draws around 3,000 runners, was still underway, but that runners from Auckland would not be able to enter.
They were also told that they would receive a 50 percent refund or a free transfer to the next event.
ROBERT KITCHEN / Things
Health Minister Chris Hipkins said Auckland residents should “carry their alert level restrictions with them” when traveling elsewhere in New Zealand, advice that went against official guidelines.
The decision was made after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that Auckland would remain at alert level 2.5 until at least September 23.
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At alert level 2.5, Auckland residents are allowed to travel to other parts of New Zealand and were actually encouraged to do so through campaigns such as Tourism New Zealand’s “Do something new, New Zealand” promotion.
But citing the “well-being of all participants,” the event chose to go ahead without Aucklanders and will take place on September 26.
The Rotorua event was originally scheduled to take place on May 1, but had to be postponed due to Covid-19.
Starting Monday, September 24, the rest of New Zealand would likely move to Alert Level 1, where there were no restrictions on the number of mass gatherings, Ardern said.
Under current restriction rules, people from Auckland could, in theory, travel to Rotorua and watch the race.
The announcement shocked and angered many aspiring Auckland contestants, such as Brie Tawhai, who had been training for the event for months.
Tawhai said she was “confused” and “disappointed” by the lack of communication from the event’s organizers, adding that the 50 percent refund was insulting.
“It’s shocking, all of this just blows my mind,” he said.
CHRISTEL YARDLEY / Things
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced on Monday that Auckland would remain at alert level 2.5 for at least one more week.
“After the government announcement, we expected an update on the event and we felt quite confident about it.
“But seeing that post, and even the way it was written, really bothered me. They put on top that the event was taking place and then much lower down ‘oh by the way, no Aucklanders’.
“At a time when we are supposed to spend locally and support businesses, this hurts the region.”
Many Aucklanders had already booked accommodation, family trips and paid money for local attractions, Tawhai said.
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Auckland residents were offered a 50 percent refund or free transfer to the next event, as the organizers had already incurred substantial costs.
The confusion surrounding the events outside Auckland was not helped by the conflicting advice from Health Minister Chris Hipkins on rules for Auckland residents.
Hipkins said Auckland residents should “carry their alert level restrictions” with them when heading out of town, advice that went against official guidelines.
He admitted that such restrictions were not “100% enforceable” but asked people to “do the right thing.”
However, official guidelines state that up to 100 people can attend public areas and event venues, provided they stay in groups of no more than 10 and are kept at least one meter apart.
The marathon is a New Zealand athletics event, and CEO Peter Pfitzinger said he was “extremely disappointed” that those based in Auckland were unable to participate.
“As a longtime marathon runner, I understand the months of hard work and training involved in preparing for a marathon or half marathon, as well as the great enjoyment that comes from participating in the shorter distances,” he said.
“Although Auckland residents are allowed to travel, they are encouraged to behave as if they take their additional restrictions with them when traveling. They are currently advised to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people, unless they are attending a funeral or tangihanga.
“Under those government guidelines, it’s just not possible to administer this for the Rotorua Marathon in the various courses.
“Due to the high number of participants, as well as the logistics around the departure / arrival area, it is not possible to effectively maintain separate groups, even with staggered start times.
“We have therefore had to make the difficult decision that Auckland residents will unfortunately not be able to participate in the Rotorua Marathon 2020.”
