The Motatapu involves several different activities in the hills of Wānaka and Arrowtown, including an ultra run, trail marathon, and mountain bike.
Dean Stewart, 21, won the 52km men’s ultra run that began at 6am in 6hr 30 minutes.
His strategy was to cover as much ground as possible before the sun came up, Stewart said.
"I was running pretty scared the last couple of hours. I didn’t know if there was anyone right behind me."
In second in 6hr 34min was 2017 Motatapu ultra winner Majell Backhausen. He said the course was not any easier than it was eight years ago.
Hannah Wall won the women’s ultra field in 6hr 57min, more than an hour ahead of runner-up Ashley Hawks.
Wall said it was a dream come true.
"I was a bit disappointed with my time last year so I have been working really hard over the past eight or nine months and came in strong with a goal in mind and smashed that, so I am feeling pretty proud of myself right now."
