Thousands flock in for Rotorua Marathon, local claims second win in a row
9 May, 2021 05:00 AM
5 minutes to read
Rotorua Marathon winner Michael Voss with his coach Kim Stevenson. Photo / Andrew Warner
Rain drops and sweat dripped down his face as the crowd roared for the young local builder running towards his second consecutive victory in the Rotorua Marathon. Rotorua s Michael Voss, 24, crossed the line of the 57th Rotorua Marathon five minutes ahead of his nearest rival.
Voss is the fourth man in history to claim back-to-back titles.
He joined more than 4000 runners, walkers and joggers who descended on the city s Government Gardens for Saturday s event.
Jo Raphael: Marathon participants an inspirational bunch
9 May, 2021 08:00 PM
3 minutes to read
Thousands flock to the city to take part in Rotorua s marathon. Photo / NZME
I ve always said jokingly that I don t run – unless I m being chased. I do get a kick out of a good brisk walk, which is how I approached the 5km run during the Rotorua Marathon a few years ago.
I finished the event in good shape and after we crossed the finish line a woman came up to me and said thank you, she was following behind me, keeping up with me and that I was her pacer .
Local builder Michael Voss wins 57th Rotorua Marathon for second year in a row
7 May, 2021 11:27 PM
2 minutes to read
Rotorua Marathon 2021 winner Michael Voss. Photo / Andrew Warner
A young Rotorua builder was the first to cross the line at the 57th Rotorua Marathon - for the second year in a row.
Michael Voss became the first local to win the Rotorua Marathon in 45 years in last year s marathon.
His coach, Kim Stevenson, met him across the finished line and said Voss worked hard for his achievement.
He finished in a time of two hours, 29 minutes, and 30 seconds - nearly five minutes ahead of second-place Greg Darbyshire from Auckland.
Press Release – Athletics New Zealand
2021 Rotorua Marathon winner Michael Voss.
Home favourite Michael Voss became only the fourth man in history to claim back-to-back Rotorua Marathon victories as he ignited the 57th edition of the iconic race by storming to an emphatic win in 2:29:30.
Through intermittent showers, the Lake City AC athlete hit the front within the opening kilometre and by halfway had opened up a three-minute advantage on his nearest challengers, before further extending his advantage in the second half of the race to claim a memorable win.
In clinching victory, Voss joined Jack Foster (1972-73), Paul Ballinger (1988-89) and Dale Warrander (2004-05) and (2010-11) as the only men to achieve the feat of successfully defending the Rotorua Marathon title.