The Legend of the Peaks festival is announcing its official charity partner for the upcoming event in Rotorua – the Sir JK Foundation.

The Legend of the Peaks Festival is a locally owned and operated event, which celebrates the natural beauty, cultural heritage, and athletic spirit of New Zealand.

The festival's premier event, the New Zealand Forest Marathon, offers participants a unique opportunity to explore stunning landscapes while pushing their limits.

The festival aims to create an unforgettable experience by immersing the attendees in the local community, showcasing the amazing outdoor recreation and inspiring culture on offer in Rotorua.

A feature of the Legend of the Peaks Festival is its commitment to supporting communities. The festival has pledged to donate 10 per cent of all event entries to charitable causes.

In a transformative partnership, the JK Foundation will receive a significant portion of these charitable donations, with a commitment of at least half.

Legend of the Peaks event director Tak Mutu, expressing his excitement about partnering with such a reputable and popular organisation that was doing important work for future generations, says it was an "easy decision" to partner with the Sir JK Foundation and support their "amazing work" with rangatahi [youth] they deliver through their Mitey.

"It's been a particularly tough couple of years for many, with a significant toll taken on people's mental well-being. JK's work in this field is ground-breaking, and we are proud to support better outcomes for Aotearoa New Zealanders.”

Sir John Kirwan, founder of the Sir John Kirwan Foundation, emphasises the importance of mental health education for the youth of New Zealand.

Sir John Kirwan. Photo: Supplied.

"New Zealand’s Everest is mental health. We have the courage to take on the world, and yet our youth suicide statistics show us we have dropped the ball. Mitey is designed to help turn these figures around.”

Mitey supports schools to deliver an evidence-based mental health education for Years 1 – 8.  It has been developed by an expert team of education academics from the University of Auckland, New Zealand teachers and psychologists. 

“Partnering with the Legend of the Peaks Festival, and in particular the Pak’nSave Rotorua Kids Forest Run, will help bring an awareness of the importance of embedding mental health education in both teaching and learning," says Sarah Manley, Chief Executive Officer of the Sir John Kirwan Foundation.

Set in the Whakarewarewa and Tītokorangi Forests in Rotorua, New Zealand, the Legend of the Peaks Festival is a dynamic off-road and trail running and walking event scheduled to take place on November 10 and 11, 2023.

The festival is set to captivate participants and spectators alike, showcasing a series of exhilarating events designed to challenge and inspire outdoor enthusiasts. At the heart of the festival is the New Zealand Forest Marathon, a 42km trail run that boasts a formidable elevation gain of over 2000 meters, culminating in the triumphant summiting of all four peaks within the Whakarewarewa and Tītokorangi Forests.

Complementing the flagship marathon event, the Legend of the Peaks Festival offers a diverse array of experiences catering to a wide range of athletic abilities. These events include the Moerangi Half Marathon spanning 21km, the Tītokorangi 10K, the 5K Trig Loop, and the engaging Kids Forest Run, a 2km adventure specially tailored for young participants.

Early Bird entries are open now until midnight August 31, 2023. To stay up to date with the event, visit legendofthepeaks.com.