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Tauranga's youngest competitor heading off to the Special Olympics National Summer Games this month got a warm-up this afternoon - running an Olympic torch through the city.

TeHuia Apaapa, 17, was the first of 46 Tauranga Special Olympics competitors to run the torch through the city from 2.30pm.

Tauranga's 46 competitors heading to New Zealand's Special Olympics National Summer Games this month ran around the city with an Olympic torch.

The athletes were given a police escort through the city as they promoted their achievement of making the Dunedin-based games, where they will compete against 1100 other Kiwis from throughout the country.

From the Tauranga Police Station, the athletes proceeded down Willow Street, on a loop via Mclean Street, The Strand, up Devonport Road, Elizabeth Street and back onto Grey Street to Tauranga City Council chambers where they finished by meeting Mayor Stuart Crosby.

TeHuia's foster mother Dawn Staples says the Waihi College student has been into athletics since he was nine-years-old, when he came to live with her.

'He's been busting his britches – he cannot wait [to go the games],” says Dawn, a Tauranga Athletics Club volunteer that will travel to Dunedin as a team support person.

Part of the Paeroa Amateur Athletics Club, TeHuia became part of Tauranga's Special Olympics team – and the youngest in it – after competing in the New Zealand Secondary Schools, Western Bay of Plenty and North Island championships.

'He's been training really hard – we live in Waikino and he runs around the Waihi mine pit at least twice a week among his other training, says Dawn, who thinks it'll be interesting to see how he goes.

'He is very good – he's got a go out there and get them attitude.

'It's all paying off – all of the hard work and lots of travel is coming to fruition – it's all worth it," says Dawn.

'When you see the results, it's awesome and it gives them something to do and focus on.”

Swimming coach Pat Wakelin says some of the athletes have up to four years' training under their belts in their efforts to make this Special Olympics National Summer Games event on November 27-30.

'Some of them have been training for almost four years for this opportunity and there is great comradeship between this Tauranga team – and they're greatly admired for their enthusiasm and drive.”

Competing in six codes – swimming, athletics, ten pin bowling, golf, indoors bowls and basketball – the athletes will be striving to collect gold, silver or bronze medals and a chance to seek nomination for selection to 2015's World Games in Los Angeles.

Pat says 15 coaches and support people will accompany the athletes – aged 18 to 50-plus –who leave Tauranga next Tuesday, November 26 for the games on November 27-30.

'They're all pretty pumped up and excited about it – we've had a celebratory farewell for them – and they're just keen to get there.”