More than 2000 Rotorua primary and intermediate school children will complete a ‘marathon' this week, as part of an introductory experience to long-distance running.

The Rotorua Mini Marathon involves students running nearly 40km in the weeks leading up to the final event and logging their progress in an event ‘passport', which they can keep as a record of their achievement.

On Friday, May 5, the participants will log their final 2.1km to complete their 40km goal on the same course used for the Rotorua Marathon, which is to be held the next day.

The event is a collaborative project between Event Promotions (Rotorua Marathon Directors), Events and Venues (Rotorua Lakes Council), Athletics NZ and Sport Bay of Plenty, with a goal to get more primary school children involved in the Rotorua Marathon and other running events.

'The mini marathon gives them an idea of just how far a full marathon is, and a true sense of accomplishment when they finish the final 2.1km,” says Sport Bay of Plenty Central Bay of Plenty Primary Sport Director Melissa Gordon.

Now in its seventh year, Melissa says the Rotorua Mini Marathon has gone from strength to strength, starting with just 60 children in 2010.

'The growth of this event is phenomenal – and it just keeps growing! We now have an outstanding 2171 children entered this year, up from 1530 last year. The excitement and buzz around the schools is awesome.”

To acknowledge the effort the children have undertaken, each participant receives a certificate of completion and the opportunity to take home a spot prize.

The first race begins 10am outside the Energy Events Centre in the Government Gardens.