The pedometer may have ticked a touch over 588km, wearing out countless pairs of shoes out in the process, but the one mainstay in the Mount Joggers & Walkers Club annual half marathon is the club itself.

This Sunday marks the 29th edition of the club's signature 21km event featuring a stunning backdrop of Mount Maunganui and Main Beach.

Mount Joggers & Walkers Club members Jo Travers, Brenda Poutawera, and Chloe Apaapa loosen up ahead of Sunday's 29th edition of the Mount Joggers Half Marathon. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

Joined by a 10km, 5km and Kids ‘K' beach sprint, more than 1200 athletes have already entered in what are great numbers, according to Mount Joggers & Walkers Club president Bec Muir.

'The half is looking like the most popular, where in previous years it's been very even between the half and 10km.

'A half marathon is not a normal distance for any average runner. It's out of their comfort zone so it shows they are pushing themselves, which is great to see.”

Starting at Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service, competitors head along Marine Parade before turning round just before the intersection with Oceanbeach Rd, heading back to complete a scenic lap of Mauao. They must complete this course twice.

The 10km follows the same course, turning around between Hart and Clyde streets, while the 5km goes just past Pacific Ave. The Kids ‘K' is a 1km beach sprint from Mount Surf Club to Leisure Island and back.

And while events and clubs have been and gone, or have had to sell in the last 29-years, it's the Mount Joggers' pride and passion to hold on to the local event that makes it extra special, says Bec.

Something she partially attributes to the iconic landmark that is Mauao and a largely flat track – highlighted by the abundance of 'out of towners” registering for the event.

'I think that's what surprises the most this year. There are a lot of Aucklanders and Waikato people coming for the weekend.

'I guess the fact it's Queen's Birthday is the main thing, but it's cool people are travelling for our event.

'These days there are so many events on so that fact they have chosen to travel for our one is really awesome.”

The half marathon starts at 8am, the 10km at 9am, the 5km at 10am, and the Kids ‘K' at 11.30am.

Late entries can still be made at Mount Surf Club from 12.30am-4pm on Saturday or from 7am Sunday morning.