The iconic Kawerau King of the Mountain race is returning for its 63rd year on Saturday.
The annual race is only about 8km long but sees runners climb 852m above sea level. The race is capped at 200 starters and limited late entries will be taken on race day. Around 160 pre-entries were already in; with the record number of starters being 177 in 2015.
With many pre-entered previous winners missing from the Kiwi contenders, Australian Ben Duffus is the clear favourite for the title in Kawerau this year.
The one confirmed, and most decorated Kiwi contender, is veteran Chris Morrissey, with eight titles. Morrissey is capable of a sub-50-minute time and that is what it will take to be crowned King.
Duffus is the current Australian mountain running champion, defending Pomona king and was runner-up in Kawerau last year.
Debutant contenders are Lithuanian national Andrius Ramonas, who, having earned an impressive second place recently in the Tauranga Marathon and claiming victory in the inaugural Ring of Fire Ultra, should perform well. While Rotorua sports scientist William O'Connor could also be one to watch out for.
The current record time set by Shay Williamson stands at 45m 31s.
Kawerau District Council events and venues manager Lee Barton said: "Looking at pre-entries this year, Ben [Duffus] should earn his second title, having won back in 2015 during our diamond anniversary year. It's hard to see how anyone will keep up with him, he's a phenomenal athlete, and has several years experience on Putauaki."
There was no favourite in the Queen race. Last year's winner Nancy Jiang had not entered so was unlikely to defend her title, leaving the field wide open.
Pomona Queen Meg Reeves will debut in Kawerau and would be the favourite based on form and reputation.
"Meg [Reeves] ran a great race in Pomona and looked very strong, however she is unfamiliar with the challenge Putauaki offers.
"Having studied the race history, there has never been an Australian King and Queen in the same year in Kawerau," Barton said.
Anything could happen on race day. Last year's winner, former Whakatāne runner Daniel Jones, was a late entry but took the coveted title in a time of 47m 45s. Duffus finished second in 48m 1s.
A piece of history was established; for the first time a father and son had both won the Kawerau King of the Mountain title, as Daniel's father Neil Jones was a two-time winner in the 1990s.
