Sneakers are hitting the ground this morning in Taupo, as the country’s longest-standing running and walking event kicks off.
The Taupo Marathon will see around 5000 people hit the streets and race around the lake.
Director of Total Sport and race organiser Aaron Carter joined the show to discuss the swell in participation events like this are seeing, and shares a few details for those keen to jump in last minute.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldgrave from News Talk sedb Ay.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Ten minutes after seven on the All Sport Breakfast, Running
around a lake. That's what's happening in the highest country
of topaor the main event kids Underwe around about half
an hour's time or just under We're joined now by
the director of the race, mister Aaron Carter good a Aaron, Hey, Darcy,
how are you? Very good? Massive day for you and
(00:34):
your organization. It's not just the marathon getting underweight. What
quarter to eight, You've got a whole lot of other
stuff going on. Busy enough for your pal mate.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
It's all go, It's all go.
Speaker 4 (00:46):
We've yet, We've got the marathon starting, We've got a half,
we've got a ten k, we've got a five k.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
We've even got a kid's dish.
Speaker 4 (00:53):
So there's all sorts, all shapes, all sizes, all ages,
and your happening happening not too not too far away
actually and fight yr five thousand plus keen people going
to have a crack at various distances happening today.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
It's going to be pretty cool.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
But I was going to ask about the body count
but that sounds like people have died and that's not idea.
But five thousand souls lining up, where does that sit?
You've been doing this for a long time now, haven't
you a couple of decays as far as entries and participants?
Where does this sit? Five grand?
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (01:25):
Well, what's happening at the moment A quick quick picture
is there is a global running boom happening and possibly
a hangover or maybe maybe a positive benefit from COVID,
A lot of people started running. And what's happening is
there's just a lot of running clubs and groups and
people out there, and Topul lends itself to these kinds
(01:46):
of events. So what we've seen we've been sort of
operating in Topol for about.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Fifteen years in Auckland before that as well.
Speaker 4 (01:53):
Is that people love coming here and the catalyst seems
to be the event. They bring the AFANO, their friends
and they do the event and then they just kind
of enjoy all the bits that TOEPO has to offer.
So that's what seems to do it. But yeah, we
seen like the numbers that we've got this year are phenomenal.
We were averaging about two and a half to three
thousand people total two years ago and we're yeah, so
(02:14):
you know, to get to five thousand is pretty phenomenal.
Now the biggest event of its type numbers wise in
topul which is pretty cool.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
The local industry must love you. The bars, the hotels
that everybody like, yeah, are you yeah, do you actually
pay for beer when you're down there or not?
Speaker 4 (02:32):
Well, believe it or not. Actually, that's a very well
timed question. Spates, who have one of our long term partners.
They've been supporting this business for over twenty years.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
They're actually the naming right sponsor of this.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
So yeah, no, we don't buy don't buy a lot
of beers down here. And yeah, the region benefits probably
to the tune of about three million bucks in economic
activity from their weekend. So it's really good. Like there,
you know, the cafe owners win, the retailers win. It's
just a good good news story all around.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
Really.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
But can the locals park anywhere they'd be losing.
Speaker 4 (03:05):
With well, you know there's always someone that's gonna maybe
sustain a small loss along the way, so yes, said,
well it will be it will be tricky to get
your favorite car park outside your favorite cafe.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
But there's plenty of sort of parking.
Speaker 4 (03:23):
You might just have to walk a few minutes and
at the end of the day, you know, get those
steps and then earn it be later.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
So I love That's what I say all the way.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
And you jumped on space straight away, your sharp mate.
You've done this before. It didn't come down in the
last shower. As far as all of these different courses tracks,
if you will, does that appeal to people coming from
the regiment outside of the region, so that you mentioned
Fuino before, they can bring everybody and everyone can have
(03:53):
a crack at a various walk or a various run.
So it covers everything, doesn't it.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
Yeah, it really does. And that's I mean, that's what
we've seen as this business has.
Speaker 4 (04:02):
Kind of kind of developed and grown up over the years.
It used to just be the sort of gnali old
blokes that would come and do these things, but very much,
you know, the last five to teen years, we see
that the you know, these kind of events and you
try and make them as inclusive as possible and non
threatening and try and just create a really good environment
for people so.
Speaker 3 (04:21):
That families of Fino do feel like they can come
and do something.
Speaker 4 (04:24):
So you know, it might be that Mum come comes
and does the marathon. Dad might have you know, it
might have the weekend off or go for a run
with the kids. And then the events are kind of
time too that if the adults do choose to do something,
they can be back in time to see the little
ones do the kids dash. Which sure this normally starts
around about midday, once most of the people are back,
so it's all sort of designed to, you know, to
(04:45):
get people moving in at the end of the day.
Like the philosophy around the business is just get people
out moving because it's bloody good for.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
You and Aaron. As far as advice around the middle
of topo over that time period, traffic management, any other
advice for people who are there or thereabouts they need
to be to be aware of.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
Yeah, so they are. I mean you can't.
Speaker 4 (05:08):
You just can't put on events of this sort of
size and scale without having some impact.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
On the road.
Speaker 4 (05:12):
So there are some road closes in place, but no
one is no one is trapped in Lake.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Terrace, which you've spent a bit of time here, Darcys.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
There's the lovely road that runs alongside the lakeside. We're
going to close the northern side of that. So that's
like literally just to allow and create the space for
the thousands of runners and walkers to do the event.
But it just means that you're going to you're going
to add another five minutes to your journey. If you're
in your car, it might be that you have to
turn left instead of right. But everything, it's all of
(05:43):
the information is that people are interested in finding it
about road closures and.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
That kind of thing.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
You can go to the website and check out all
that stuff.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
But it's pretty it's pretty easy to get around. You
just might have to do an extra loop around the block.
That's all.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Now, come from Auckland. Five minutes is nothing. You are
kidding me right, all out of the province is how
lucky you are. Aaron Carter, director of Title Sports on
the Top or the Spakes Toport Marathon. Thanks very much
for your time. Have a safe and spectacular morning. Promises
so much and thanks for joining us here on ZB.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
Yeah, appreciate it. Have a good day, Darcy H.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
I fully intend on doing, Sir, Aaron Carter. All sorts
of action ten K, five K The marathon Star Self
starts in twenty minutes time. Finished line on Bangadero Street.
If you'd like to go and take a look. Five
thousand people yikes, where will we park?
Speaker 1 (06:41):
For more from the Your Sport Breakfast with Darcy Watergrave,
listen live to News Talk Said Be on Saturday mornings,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldgrave from News Talk sedb Ay.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Ten minutes after seven on the All Sport Breakfast, Running
around a lake. That's what's happening in the highest country
of topaor the main event kids Underwe around about half
an hour's time or just under We're joined now by
the director of the race, mister Aaron Carter good a Aaron, Hey, Darcy,
how are you? Very good? Massive day for you and
(00:34):
your organization. It's not just the marathon getting underweight. What
quarter to eight, You've got a whole lot of other
stuff going on. Busy enough for your pal mate.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
It's all go, It's all go.
Speaker 4 (00:46):
We've yet, We've got the marathon starting, We've got a half,
we've got a ten k, we've got a five k.
Speaker 3 (00:52):
We've even got a kid's dish.
Speaker 4 (00:53):
So there's all sorts, all shapes, all sizes, all ages,
and your happening happening not too not too far away
actually and fight yr five thousand plus keen people going
to have a crack at various distances happening today.
Speaker 3 (01:08):
It's going to be pretty cool.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
But I was going to ask about the body count
but that sounds like people have died and that's not idea.
But five thousand souls lining up, where does that sit?
You've been doing this for a long time now, haven't
you a couple of decays as far as entries and participants?
Where does this sit? Five grand?
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (01:25):
Well, what's happening at the moment A quick quick picture
is there is a global running boom happening and possibly
a hangover or maybe maybe a positive benefit from COVID,
A lot of people started running. And what's happening is
there's just a lot of running clubs and groups and
people out there, and Topul lends itself to these kinds
(01:46):
of events. So what we've seen we've been sort of
operating in Topol for about.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Fifteen years in Auckland before that as well.
Speaker 4 (01:53):
Is that people love coming here and the catalyst seems
to be the event. They bring the AFANO, their friends
and they do the event and then they just kind
of enjoy all the bits that TOEPO has to offer.
So that's what seems to do it. But yeah, we
seen like the numbers that we've got this year are phenomenal.
We were averaging about two and a half to three
thousand people total two years ago and we're yeah, so
(02:14):
you know, to get to five thousand is pretty phenomenal.
Now the biggest event of its type numbers wise in
topul which is pretty cool.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
The local industry must love you. The bars, the hotels
that everybody like, yeah, are you yeah, do you actually
pay for beer when you're down there or not?
Speaker 4 (02:32):
Well, believe it or not. Actually, that's a very well
timed question. Spates, who have one of our long term partners.
They've been supporting this business for over twenty years.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
They're actually the naming right sponsor of this.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
So yeah, no, we don't buy don't buy a lot
of beers down here. And yeah, the region benefits probably
to the tune of about three million bucks in economic
activity from their weekend. So it's really good. Like there,
you know, the cafe owners win, the retailers win. It's
just a good good news story all around.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
Really.
Speaker 2 (03:02):
But can the locals park anywhere they'd be losing.
Speaker 4 (03:05):
With well, you know there's always someone that's gonna maybe
sustain a small loss along the way, so yes, said,
well it will be it will be tricky to get
your favorite car park outside your favorite cafe.
Speaker 3 (03:20):
But there's plenty of sort of parking.
Speaker 4 (03:23):
You might just have to walk a few minutes and
at the end of the day, you know, get those
steps and then earn it be later.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
So I love That's what I say all the way.
Speaker 2 (03:32):
And you jumped on space straight away, your sharp mate.
You've done this before. It didn't come down in the
last shower. As far as all of these different courses tracks,
if you will, does that appeal to people coming from
the regiment outside of the region, so that you mentioned
Fuino before, they can bring everybody and everyone can have
(03:53):
a crack at a various walk or a various run.
So it covers everything, doesn't it.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
Yeah, it really does. And that's I mean, that's what
we've seen as this business has.
Speaker 4 (04:02):
Kind of kind of developed and grown up over the years.
It used to just be the sort of gnali old
blokes that would come and do these things, but very much,
you know, the last five to teen years, we see
that the you know, these kind of events and you
try and make them as inclusive as possible and non
threatening and try and just create a really good environment
for people so.
Speaker 3 (04:21):
That families of Fino do feel like they can come
and do something.
Speaker 4 (04:24):
So you know, it might be that Mum come comes
and does the marathon. Dad might have you know, it
might have the weekend off or go for a run
with the kids. And then the events are kind of
time too that if the adults do choose to do something,
they can be back in time to see the little
ones do the kids dash. Which sure this normally starts
around about midday, once most of the people are back,
so it's all sort of designed to, you know, to
(04:45):
get people moving in at the end of the day.
Like the philosophy around the business is just get people
out moving because it's bloody good for.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
You and Aaron. As far as advice around the middle
of topo over that time period, traffic management, any other
advice for people who are there or thereabouts they need
to be to be aware of.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
Yeah, so they are. I mean you can't.
Speaker 4 (05:08):
You just can't put on events of this sort of
size and scale without having some impact.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
On the road.
Speaker 4 (05:12):
So there are some road closes in place, but no
one is no one is trapped in Lake.
Speaker 3 (05:19):
Terrace, which you've spent a bit of time here, Darcys.
Speaker 4 (05:21):
There's the lovely road that runs alongside the lakeside. We're
going to close the northern side of that. So that's
like literally just to allow and create the space for
the thousands of runners and walkers to do the event.
But it just means that you're going to you're going
to add another five minutes to your journey. If you're
in your car, it might be that you have to
turn left instead of right. But everything, it's all of
(05:43):
the information is that people are interested in finding it
about road closures and.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
That kind of thing.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
You can go to the website and check out all
that stuff.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
But it's pretty it's pretty easy to get around. You
just might have to do an extra loop around the block.
That's all.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
Now, come from Auckland. Five minutes is nothing. You are
kidding me right, all out of the province is how
lucky you are. Aaron Carter, director of Title Sports on
the Top or the Spakes Toport Marathon. Thanks very much
for your time. Have a safe and spectacular morning. Promises
so much and thanks for joining us here on ZB.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
Yeah, appreciate it. Have a good day, Darcy H.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
I fully intend on doing, Sir, Aaron Carter. All sorts
of action ten K, five K The marathon Star Self
starts in twenty minutes time. Finished line on Bangadero Street.
If you'd like to go and take a look. Five
thousand people yikes, where will we park?
Speaker 1 (06:41):
For more from the Your Sport Breakfast with Darcy Watergrave,
listen live to News Talk Said Be on Saturday mornings,
or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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