The icon of New Zealand marathons the annual Rotorua event and associated races has to date attracted 2370 entries.

The Lion Foundation sponsored race, which takes in the scenic lap of the Lake, will be held on Saturday 28 April.

Tsutomu Saeki of Japan will be trying to emulate his fellow countryman Katsumi Tsuchiya effort in 2002, in winning the prestigious event.

Saeki was second in the 2005 Gold Coast marathon in Queensland in 2h 16m 17s, just ahead of New Zealand's John Henwood who was third in 2h 17m 19s.

Kerry Rodger, third last year and first in the 40-44 age group in 2h 29m 36s, has entered along with Joe Piggin who was third in 2005 in 2h 28m 39s.

Rodger has a best marathon time of 2h 19m 58s in winning the 1993 Auckland marathon. In the same race his wife Raewyn won the women's section in 2h 46m 17s.

Rina Hill from Samford Brisbane, with a personal best time of 2h 39m, heads the entries in the women's section. Fleur Bromley of Castor Bay Auckland, third last year in 2h 58m 40s returns.

Bernadine Portenski of Wellington will be lining up yet again, for the one race she looks forward to every year. Portenski was fifth last year reducing her own 55-59 age group record by three minutes to 3h 3m 42s. As well as this record Portenski holds the 40-44 record of 2h 45m 19s set in 1994, the 45-49 record of 2h 43m 38s set in 1998 and the 50-54 record of 2h 56m 1s set in 2001.

The 2005 women's winner in 3h 0m 52s Mikki Williden of Bays Cougars Auckland has entered.

The entries second cut-off dead line is this Wednesday 18 April at 5pm. After this date entries for the marathon will incur a further $25 entry fee.