Good morning SunLive readers, welcome to the start of the weekend which is hopefully going to be a cracker despite the weather.

The MetService has issued a severe weather watch for the Bay of Plenty today, so it's likely everyone who's lining up for today's Hawaiian Airlines Mount Maunganui Half Marathon is going to get a little drenched.

The Hawaiian Airlines Mount Maunganui Half Marathon is taking place today. File Photo.

Today's event will see competitors take on the 21km, 10km and 5km distances, with racing set to start at 8.30am.

The 21km race starts from Simpson Reserve in Papamoa, while the start line for the 10km and 5km races will be at Mount Maunganui's Main Beach, which is also the finish line for all three races.

And if you're heading along today, keep an eye out for the seven students of Tauranga Special School and give them a hearty cheer. The students are participating in a team relay in an effort to raise money for a new play area and changing sheds for the school.

If you're not one for running but would much rather score a bargain then you'll find what you're looking for down at the Greerton Hall today, from 8am.

The Original Greerton Hall Monthly Market will feature a number of stalls that are sure to cater for all your bric-a-brac, food, books, plants, produce, art and craft needs. Tea, coffee and snacks will also be available.

These are just two or a number of events taking place in and around Tauranga today, with more listed below:

Saturday 27 August

Annual Book Sale

Books wanted for Tauranga Harbour Lions November book sale. Drop off points are Living Quarters, Bethlehem Town Centre; Payless Plastics, 414 Cameron Rd; Liquor King, 140 Otumoetai Rd, Brookfield. No magazines or encyclopedias please. 576 7105

Bay Network Singles Club

Weekly social activities for those 55-70+. Dining, barbecues, games, concerts, outings. Jean 576 9988

BOP Caravan Club

Rallies are held throughout the year for motorhomes & caravans. If interested in joining likeminded people, Neal 576 9031

BOP Essential Tremor Support Group

Quarterly meeting at Evans Rd Community Church, Papamoa 10am. Guest speaker. Gold coin donation &/or small plate for morning tea. Ann 542 4005

Come Dancing Tonight

Sequence & old time dancing, great music & supper. Greerton Hall 7.30-10.30pm. Entry $7. Run by Tauranga Scottish Soc. Allyson 576 9194

Creation by Joseph Hadyn

St Mary's Catholic Church, Cameron Rd/First Ave 7.30pm with Opus Orchestra. Tickets $35 adults, $25 students. Tickets available at Ticketek Baycourt & Online (service fees apply) & cash sales at the door.

LOL Laughter Wellness

Laugh away the winter blues with us. Sandpiper Room, Arataki Community Centre, Mount 11-11.45am. $3 door charge. Trish 022 036 6768 email: lollaughterwellness@gmail.com

Matahui School 2016 Kiwiana Ball

Sept 3 at Pahoia Hall, 29 Esdaile Rd 7.30pm. Band: 'Second Time Around”. A special evening of Kiwiana dressups, dancing, finger food, fun & frivolity. Tickets $45 at Matahui Office 552 0655. https://www.facebook.com/events/1140725365984526/

Messianic Meetings

Every Sat at Hillier Centre, 31 Gloucester Rd, Mt Maunganui 10am. Seek to unite together in our walk to put truth into action on a daily basis. All ages welcome. 544 7424 or 0210 226 3515

Narcotics Anonymous

Open meeting, Hanmer Clinic (behind Super Liquor) 1235 Cameron Rd, Greerton 7.30-8.30pm. If using drugs is causing you problems, maybe we can help. 0800 NA TODAY

Papamoa Community Park

Join in the fun - growing soil, food & community. Fun for all ages, dawn till dusk. Gardening bees 2nd & 4th Sat 9am - 3pm. Between 51 & 53 Hartford Ave, Papamoa. Chris 021 0241 5454 or therockpapamoa@gmail.com

Precision Business Summit

ASB Baypark, 81 Truman Lane, Mt Maunganui 9am – 6pm. NZ's top entrepreneurs coming together to share their stories, advice & practical lessons on achieving business success. General admission: $99.00 +gst. http://www.precisionbusinesssummit.co.nz/

Silent Cinema

City Lights by Charlie Chaplain at Baycourt X Space 8-9.30pm. Charlie Chaplain's last silent film. www.baycourt.co.nz

The Original Greerton Hall Market

8am – 12pm, crafts, plants, produce, bric-a-brac. Stalls inside/outside. Tricia/Gary 543 1487 or 027 908 2952 www.facebook.com/greertonhallmarket

The Sociables

A 30's/40's age group of males & females that meet up once a week to socialise by dining out or participating in local activities & events. Next Saturday 3 Sept drinks night meet up. Email sociables@outlook.co.nz for info. 022 0120 376

Village Radio

Community radio broadcasting from Tauranga Historic Village 1368 kHz AM. Music of 1940's - 90's weekends 9am - 5pm, weekdays 10am - 5pm. Specialty programmes. www.villageradio.co.nz or 571 3710

Contact Julie to place a listing here: julie@thesun.co.nz