Despite the weather, the race is still on to make it to the top for the 2017 Hawaiian Airlines Mount Maunganui Half Marathon.

The annual marathon is a popular event that sees people from the ages of seven all the way up to 80, and more than 2100 runners and walkers pounding the pavements.

Competitors either run or walk the 21km, 10km and 5km distances around the Mount, with the course offering a mix of smooth hard packed dirt trail and sealed road surfaces.

The Marathon will start from Simpson Reserve in Papamoa and finish on the Main Beach at the foot of Mauao from 8am until 1pm.

Residents in the area have been warned that there will be road closures in place between 7.30- 12pm.

There will be a lane closure in place from 7.30am – 12pm:

• The seaward side of Papamoa Beach Road (Parton Road to Sandhurst Drive)
• The seaward side of Maranui Street (Sandhurst Drive to Yale Street)
• Yale Street
• The seaward side of Ocean Beach Road (Yale Street to Tweed Street)
• The seaward side of Marine Parade (Tweed Street to Adams Avenue)

There will be a lane closure in place 7.30am – 1pm:

• The Mauao side of Adams Avenue (The Mall to Marine Parade)
• The seaward side of The Mall (Adams Avenue to Salisbury Avenue)

Traffic is able to make a left turn into Papamoa Beach Road, Maranui Street, Ocean Beach Road, Marine Parade and The Mall, but no right turn for the duration of the closure. Bus access will be maintained.