Sport

Sam Tanner and Hayden Wilde will go head-to-head

14:07 pm on 17 April 2023

By Symone Tafuna'i

Sam Tanner and Hayden Wilde Photo: Alisha Lovrich

The Olympic duo Sam Tanner and Hayden Wilde are gearing up to compete in the 59th edition of the Rotorua Marathon events.

A new concept introduced by Athletics New Zealand located in three different locations from May 5-7.

Tanner is currently ranked second fastest 1500m runner in New Zealand of all time. Whilst his training partner Hayden Wilde is an Olympic Bronze medallist in Triathlon.

Both athletes will open their first day with the 'Museum Mile' attempting to complete the race within the two hour limit.

The following day Tanner and Wilde will race in the 'Ramp Run' located at the Rotorua city carpark building.

Competitors run 400m to the top of the three-storey building and back down four times.

On the final day, the Tauranga based runners will go head-to-head in the 'Runway 5'.

Zooming 5km across the Rotorua Airport runway and finishing at the depature terminal.

Tanner says, "I'm always keen to try new and innovative events and the Museum Mile, RampRun and Runway5 hold a huge appeal."

"The three events will be alot of fun, and I'm sure will put a smile on my face, which is what competing should be all about." Wilde explains.