A group of 56 people from across New Zealand will leave Auckland on Wednesday with just $10 in their pockets, aiming to get two Queenstown in two days and raise money for Cure Kids on the way.
The 2008 Accor $10 Queenstown Challenge to Cure Kids has been taken on by 28 teams of two who will face tougher challenges in their bid to win the race and raise funds for research into children's life-threatening illnesses.
General manager Simon Duffy said the event had been instrumental in raising awareness of Cure Kids and its work since it was launched four years ago.
It is modelled on a race originally begun as a bet between two Queenstown businessmen, to see who could get from Queenstown to Auckland and back with $10 in their pocket.
The event is now an important source of funds and last year raised $396,000.
Mr Duffy said the number of teams entered had again demonstrated the overwhelming support of the charity's sponsors and people in the community.
"Teams have to raise a minimum of $7000 each as their entry fee and it's a tough call. Some of them are incredibly innovative in the way in which they raise their funds and we are indebted to them for being involved."
Among the competitors are ZM night show host Mark Dye and race partner Lee Densem. Accor is represented by Victoria Frost, entering for the third time, and her mother, Anne Nielsen.
The air force, army, navy and police will also race in the diverse field, which includes Queenstowners Sarah Hayes and Michelle Stalker
