"People of all ages and all experiences compete year-in, year-out and come from all over New Zealand and overseas to experience the feeling of completing the iconic 'Motatap'," said Kennedy.
"The stories we hear of people overcoming personal challenges to compete is phenomenal." The inaugural Motatapu in 2005 offered just a mountain bike or marathon option and attracted 1000 participants.
Now the field has grown fourfold and people take part in five different events.
Physical and emotional trip to race date
British-born Steve Hanrahan, who now lives in Queenstown, has been on a physical and emotional journey to take part in the 42km Icebreaker off-road marathon of the Motatapu next weekend.
Almost a year ago Hanrahan had put on weight, to around 108kg, and he decided enough was enough.
He needed to make a considerable long-term lifestyle change so engaged the personal training services of Richie Lambert from Funktional Fitness.
The sales and marketing manager has undertaken an intense 10-month training plan and has lost more than 18kg to get ready for the race.
The programme has included diet, strengthening of tendons and muscles around the ankles and a number of training runs at Queenstown Hill, Lake Hayes and last weekend the 30km Macetown run.
"I wanted to ensure I would be healthy and fit for my wife and children and be active with them as dads should be," said Hanrahan.
The plan tied in perfectly with the Motatapu race date and together the pair decided that was an achievable goal.
"It's a great goal to have and I have been working hard for it, even forgoing alcohol despite it being my 40th birthday a few months back. It's been completely worth it but I am looking forward to celebrating once race day is over."
Race day will be bittersweet for Hanrahan and his family, though, as he is using the race as a way to raise funds and awareness for two New Zealand charities close to their hearts.
Just over two years ago he and wife Ali learned she was pregnant with their second child but during the 18-week scan an anomaly was spotted in the baby's heart. It was established the left-hand side of the baby's heart had not developed properly. While the baby would continue to develop in the womb, its chances of survival after birth were minimal.
Unfortunately the couple lost the child but still had to go through an induced natural birth. They named their little boy Ethan.
"I think it's one of the hardest things I've ever had to do is watch my wife have to go through that."
The couple was assisted in the grieving process by the Wakatipu branch of Sands NZ - a group that supports families going through the loss of a child during pregnancy or as a baby or infant.
"The team at Sands helped Ali and I beyond belief, we can never tell them how much their help meant to us. I want to give back and make my Motatapu effort more than just a personal goal."
Hanrahan is also raising funds for the Cancer Society as a nod to his UK-based father who died from cancer in 2000.
Hanrahan and his wife now have two children, Tyler, 4, and Elsie Rose, 14 months, and Steve is keen to "make my family and friends proud".
"It's amazing how many people didn't know our story until recently. By talking about it and raising awareness, I hope our story can help others. The Motatapu has given me the opportunity to not only improve my health and fitness but also raise awareness of fantastic charities and encourage others in similar situations to speak out."
You can follow Steve's journey at https://www.facebook.com/stevesmarathonmotatapu
You can donate at www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/stevesmarathon
