He singles out three top female prospects for the second edition of the event, which starts at Butlers Green this Saturday at 9am — runners complete a 6.71km Arrow River loop, on the hour, every hour, until the last person still completing laps is the winner.
One is Whangarei criminal defence lawyer Shannon-Leigh Litt, who was second female last year with 35 laps and has been on an incredible mission since January 1 this year.
She’s been running 50km-plus ultra-marathons every day, easily breaking the Guinness World Record of 200 ultras in 200 days.
Purdue says this weekend’s Arrowtown backyarder will be her 314th ultra-run this year.
"She wants to be the last person standing and still continue with her record."
He also name-checks Ketina Chivasa, who has a personal best (PB) of 36 laps and came second to another woman in a recent backyard ultra.
Also in the mix, he suggests, is Alexandra’s Hannah Presswood.
"Those three will be at the sharp end and pushing to be not only the last woman standing but the last person standing."
Purdue says local female prospects include Arrowtowner Jayde Kruger and Queenstown’s Kerryn Bell, who organises the Southern Lakes Ultra.
He adds male contenders include Josh Hastie, who has a PB of 32 laps, and Queenstowner Mike Sheehan.
Last year’s winner Jeremy Pelvin, who finished in an NZ-record 50 laps (a record since broken twice), is support-crewing his wife, Robyn, this weekend.
Purdue predicts the winner will notch a lap number in the mid-30s because many of NZ’s top ultra-runners didn’t enter as they were part of the NZ team in the world champs in North Otago’s Otematata.
He says this year’s 150-capacity field sold out in two days, with about 30% back from last year, while another 150 runners or so runners are wait-listed.
Some of those who missed out have entered the Queenstown Marathon the following weekend.
Purdue’s organising the event alongside Cromwell-based Highland Events.
