Entries for next February's inaugural Shotover Moonlight Mountain Marathon, 5km, 10km and half-marathon races have hit about 200 a month after opening, with many more expected.
Race organiser Adrian Bailey, founder of Queenstown athletics event co-ordinating company Active Qt, said the marathon entries had so far mainly been from Australia and Europe.
"It's fantastic that the interest has spread that far," said Mr Bailey, who was unworried by the lack of local entries.
"I have spoken to athletes in New Zealand and they themselves have said they are notorious for entering late."
The destination marathon, which attracted attention worldwide with a YouTube preview video, will be held entirely on private land on Ben Lomond Station, which is owned by John and Ginny Foster.
Up to 400 marathon participants and other racers will meet at Moke Lake, with marathon runners transported to the starting point.
Beginning at the Skippers Canyon Pipeline Bungy, the marathon course makes its way through the canyon, water races, across mountain bluffs and up to the Moonlight Track.
From there, runners will make their way to the finish at Moke Lake, where, organisers say, a festive family atmosphere will welcome finishers at the Ben Lomond woolshed.
Many of those coming from overseas were planning to incorporate a holiday. He knew of at least three Australian groups organising a Queenstown trip.
"There's the Rippon festival that weekend, as well, which is great, as many people are going to do the marathon and then go and relax at Rippon."
Mr Bailey has a lot on his plate with a string of Active Qt events.
First up on the calendar is the start of the Outside Sports Ultimate Tri Series at Lake Hayes on December 27, followed by the Southern Muster Skyride and Skyrun at Snowfarm on January 3.
Next is the Race the Train event in Kingston on January 8 with runners pitting themselves against the relaunched Kingston Flyer and Tri Series events at Jacks Point and Paradise on January 14 and 19.
After the mountain marathon, the Tri Series concludes with Moke Lake and Lake Hayes fixtures on March 17 and April 6.
• Prospective runners can check the action out at: www.activeqt.co.nz
