While Lukes (41) was unavailable for comment, race director Terry Davis said he ''surpassed all expectations'' and finished in 22hr 9min.
Battling strong winds as he raced over the harsh terrain, Lukes led the 100 mile (160km) race from the start and reached the finish line 2hr 23min ahead of second place-getter Keiron Coulter, of Auckland.
Coulter said at times he was almost motionless trying to run into the ''relentless'' wind. Although he had run 100km races before, this was his first 100-mile race.
He said it was the stories of how tough the race was that inspired him to enter. Pringles and lollies kept him going.
Shona Stephenson, of Sydney, the first woman home, was third overall with a time of 24hr 46min.
Last year's winner, Glenn Sutton (40), of Dunedin, was fourth with a time of 25hr 52min, about 40min quicker than his time last year.
Mr Davis said while he was pleased with how the event was going yesterday, ''there's always mixed feelings''.
''There's a slight feeling of dread as to the conditions the [competitors] have to endure ... but it's a good positive feeling helping them accomplish and survive the mission that is Northburn.''
By late afternoon yesterday, there had been no serious injuries, although everyone was injured to some degree.
''Sore knees, blisters and sore hips, they're all pretty common.''
In a first for the event, fun runs were offered in addition to the 100 mile, 100km and 50km races.
They included an adventure run for children, a half marathon and a 5km or 10km night run.
Mr Davis said they were ''hugely successful'', especially the adventure run, which saw about 50 children run across a creek, scramble over rocks and through a ''jungle'', climb up to a ridge and run back down a farm track.
''They were really excited kids when they got back.
''They were just buzzing.''
Overall, about 200 people took part in races at Northburn over the weekend, including 56 in the 100 mile, 24 in the 100km and 19 in the 50km.
Results
100 mile men: Martin Lukes (Christchurch) 22hr 9min, 1; Keiron Coulter (Auckland) 24hr 32min, 2; Glenn Sutton (Dunedin) 25hr 52min, 3.
100 mile women: Shona Stephenson (Sydney) 24hr 46min, 1; Tracey Woodford (Queenstown) 26hr 30min, 2; Joanna Kruk (Australia) 30hr 47min, 3.
100km men: Matty Abel (Sydney) 11hr 59min, 1; Scott Mcnab (Auckland) 14hr 47min, 2; Phill Tetzlaff (Kaitaia) 15hr 45min, 3.
100km women: Johannah Jackson (Gore) 15hr 4min, 1; Shannon Leigh (Christchurch) 16hr 44min, 2; Becky Nixon (Queenstown) and Nicole Harrison (Gold Coast) 19hr 19min, 3 equal.
50km men: Martin Cox (United Kingdom) 5hr 8min, 1; Gary Melhuish (Christchurch) 5hr 14min, 2; Grant Guise (Castle Hill) 5hr 18min, 3.
50km women: Ann Bixley (Dunedin) 7hr 26min, 1; Elizabeth Sebelin (Dunedin) 8hr 29min, 2; Jenny Halliday (Christchurch) 8hr 40min, 3.
