Entries to date include athletes of the calibre of World Rogaine Champion Dennis de Monchy and international adventure athlete (and mum) Sara Wallen, as well as a mix of enthusiastic local trampers, runners, orienteers and multisporters. The two (or more) persons teams race where competitors compete over two days with a communal overnight campsite is based on the wellknown LAMM and Karrimor races in the UK with a few uniquely kiwi twists.

The "rough" location has been announced, and the race will take place somewhere in the enormous new Hakatere Conservation Park which takes in catchments of the Rakaia, Ashburton and Rangitata rivers. The exact location will only be revealed on the day.

Course lengths have also recently being revealed, and they range from 30km, 900metres climb over two days for the compulsory elements of the short course, known as the "Charmer". To the complete "Classic" course, a 55km behemoth, with over 3000 metres climb to challenge the fittest outdoors person. The Charmer has been designed for comfortable completion by an experienced tramper with the ability to keep on going. So there is an appropriate challenge on the program for most outdoors people.

Course planners, including Adventure Racing World Champion Chris Forne, describe the terrain as "amazing and beautiful, particularly on sunrise and sunset, when the vastness of this landscape is exposed by the contrast". The courses feature "achievable navigation where time will be made up by precision and appropriate route choice as well as picking quick paths through the terrain".

To symbolise a departure from civilisation for the weekend, and to facilitate entry from out of towners, competitors will muster at Cathedral Square on the morning of the event to catch buses to the start and they will be returned to Cathedral Square by 6pm on the Sunday after the event.

For more information on the event, including rules on the lightweight equipment allowed, please check out the excellent event website.

This page was written by and installed on 6 Mar 08.