However, multisport fans of all abilities will test themselves when the popular Queenstown event returns for its 20th consecutive year on August 3.
Race director Geoff Hunt, of Southern Traverse, said the talk around town was for a big field of competitors this year, between 400 and 450, with many leaving registration until the last week.
Mr Hunt said he had been pleasantly surprised by the entry of two teams from Wellington, one team from Palmerston North and another from Rotorua, as the event was not heavily promoted in the North Island.
However, word has spread after two decades of challenge and excitement.
Originally intended as a way to bring the Remarkables ski area into Queenstown Winter Festival festivities, the race now stands separate and prestigious on the multisport calendar.
Peak 2 Peak starts high on the Remarkables ski area and finishes on the other side of the valley at Coronet Peak ski area. Contestants ski or snowboard, mountain bike, kayak, run and cycle over the 44km course.
The race begins with a 2km ski or snowboard on the Remarkables, down to the access road, followed by a 17km mountain bike down the high altitude road to the shores of Lake Wakatipu, at Frankton.
A 7km paddle on the lake is completed in Queenstown Bay where the changeover is made for a 9km run from Queenstown, through Arthurs Point to the Coronet Alpine Hotel near the Coronet Peak turnoff.
Mr Hunt said the last stage was always hotly contested and involved a 9km cycle up the ski area road to the base building and the finish line.
Race categories include male, female, veteran and juniors individuals. The teams' sections includes open, female, mixed, business house, school or veteran.
Entry forms are available on the Southern Traverse website.
