But the running and mountain biking races will finish at a new location beside the Luggate Creek swimming hole and competitors will have the opportunity to go for a dip and wash away the pain.
Organiser Terry Davis said the name Big Easy came from the fact the course was predominantly downhill, starting from the Snow Farm, on the Pisa Range, and finishing in Luggate. It included a 20km-long continual downhill, the longest of any race in the country. However, Davis said it was not as easy as it sounded.
This year there will be five races: four runs spanning 12km to 100km and one 45km mountain bike.
Davis said the running events had been particularly popular and were attracting competitors from around the world.
"There’s just been a real growth in endurance running, and this course is one of the most spectacular courses in New Zealand, some people even say the world. Australians in particular say they can’t believe the vistas they see."
While numbers for the events had been limited to comply with council regulations, Davis said more than 100 people were competing in the 21-hour 100km run, dubbed the Ultra Easy.
The run is a qualifying event for the world-famous Ultra Trail Mont Blanc, held in France every August.
The Ultra Easy starts at 3am tomorrow. The other races will start at intervals throughout the day.
