Adopt a Runner
On Saturday May 6th 2017, the Lion Foundation Rotorua Marathon will be held for the 53rd time.
It is an event where the people of Rotorua are encouraged to be involved in a variety of ways. One of the most rewarding was
an initiative last run in 2013, where kids become inspired and learn what it takes to run around the lake.
Adopt a Runner is a programme managed jointly by Sport Bay of Plenty, Rotorua Lakes Council and Athletics New Zealand,
and in the past has seen over 100 runners from various locations around New Zealand and across the world be ‘adopted’ by
classes of school children from the local Rotorua area.
How it works: We ask classroom teachers if they wish for their classroom to ‘Adopt a Runner’. At the same time Marathon
participants will be given the option being ‘adopted’ when they sign up to race. We then match school classrooms with
runners, and both the school/classroom/children and the runners have various communication tasks to complete over the
weeks leading up to and after the marathon.
These are:
The class to email the runner matched to them (all details will be given to teacher in charge). The class may ask
approximately 5 questions which could relate to training, goals, nutrition or whatever may interest them. The runner
would then respond. [As much email correspondence as you like can be set up – the level of the relationship is up to
each classroom, monitored by the teacher.]
Prior to the race the class may like to send a good luck email/letter, and possibly invite their runner to visit their class
the day before the Lion Foundation Rotorua Marathon (Friday 29th April).
The class would know their runner’s number and be able to watch them on the day. This can be done in various
ways, from the correspondence the children will have an idea how long their runner will take, and we’ll provide a map
which will give an idea of where the runner might be at certain times during the day. The children can see their
runner: at the start, on route, or at the finish line.
After the Rotorua Marathon the class or students could look up their runner’s time, photos etc. online.
The class could send a congratulations email with a few more questions about how the race went.
As well as a great educational tool, which for many children is inspiring, it is also an ideal ICT based project.
Action: If you wish to participate, send your email/phone/school contact details by Monday 13th February 2017.
To: Christine Hutchison - [email protected]
In March, we will match your class with a runner to participate in the above tasks.
We do hope you will join in, as we have previously received a great deal of feedback from the ‘Adopted Runners’ saying it
made an enormously positive difference to their training, on the day, and to finishing the event.
Many thanks in anticipation
Martin Croft
Major Events
Rotorua Lakes Council
0272498670
‘More people, More active, More often’
www.sportbop.co.nz
www.rotorualakescouncil.nz
www.athletics.org.nz