The race features 80km, 100km, 200km, 100-mile (161km) and 200-mile (322km) races run on a 10km circuit of trails in the Naseby Forest — in the middle of winter.
In its 16th year, the event kicked off on Wednesday morning with 11 competitors taking part in the 200-mile (322km) race.
Dunedin runner Glenn Sutton completed the 200-mile just prior to 10am yesterday, finishing with a time of 49:41:03.
"It’s tough — it’s a bloody long way," he said.
"With Covid over the last few years it couldn’t happen so August has rolled round it was time to give it a nudge."
He was happy to finally take the weight off his feet and sit down.
"I haven’t slept for 49 hours so I might get a bit of shut-eye."
The Naseby Development Charitable Trust (NDCT) took over the event’s reins this year after founders Jamie and Aileen Sinclair stepped back after 15 years.
NDCT member and race organiser Jill Wolff said the Sinclairs wanted to hand the event over to Naseby locals and it was a good opportunity for the trust to raise funds to help maintain the forest trails.
Organisers believed it was the only ultramarathon in New Zealand to include the 200-miler, and every year runners pushed themselves.
"I know it’s extreme."
"There’s a big range [of distances] and people sort of do one then they stretch themselves for next year."
The final day of racing is today with 50km, 60km and 80km teams starting from 8am.
