A Tauranga City Councillor is organising the city's first-ever ‘The Amazing City Race Tauranga – Get to know your place in a walking race' with people being urged to sign up for the event.

The Amazing City Race Tauranga is not designed for competition, but participation, with Catherine Stewart saying entrants walk to each destination, taking to time soak up the city's history.

Tauranga City councillor and event organiser Catherine Stewart stuffs envelopes with clues for the race. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

The event involves individuals or teams deciphering clues to get to each new destination – hopefully learning more about some of Tauranga CBD's highlights.

'This is a walking event; it's about having fun, participating and learning,' says Catherine.

Participants will meet at Tauranga Library Arcade from 8.30am on March 15 to begin the race at 9am. Without giving away details on clue destinations, Catherine says there are about 20 places dotted on the race map.

'If it's successful there is nothing stopping us from doing similar events all around the city, and it could become an annual event.”

All funds raised will go towards providing swimming scholarships for individuals who cannot swim.

'Given we're surrounded by oceans and waterways here, I think it's really important that everyone – no matter their age – is confident in the water,” says Catherine.

She estimates swimming scholarships cost about $130 per person and offer enough lessons to make the recipient feel confident in the water.

On the day there will be plenty of spot prizes, and a prize for the first individual or team to arrive home with the highest number of correct destinations.

'As long as the participants return to the Library Arcade by 11.30am, they will go into the prize draw.

'On the day we'll be able to announce how many swimming scholarships we can give away.”

Entries close March 12. People can enter by paying online or visiting Mainstreet Tauranga or Westpac Tauranga.

Payments ($10 per individual or $20 for team of two-five) are made to 03-0435-0492278-03 with a team number or phone number as reference.

The Amazing City Race Tauranga starts 9am, March 15, with prize-giving at 11.30am.

Information flyers are available from Tauranga Library and Sport Bay of Plenty.