Individuals in sections, or small teams of competitors will gather at Jacks Point, near Queenstown, for the scenic but challenging 8km loop track designed and created by race director Geoff Hunt, of Southern Traverse.
Elite athletes usually take 25min per lap, while recreational athletes finish each lap in about 45min.
Previous lap times were slashed at the event last year, when the Placemakers team clocked 20 laps and Queenstown multisport notable Mark Williams achieved 17 laps as an individual.
Mr Hunt said 8hrs@Jacks came from the idea of having a fun relay-style mountain bike event in the resort.
It was inspired by other 12hr nonstop bike events, but designed to suit riders of all abilities.
"The way it works is very simple," Mr Hunt said.
"As competitors arrive at the start of the race, they are allocated a space which will become their pit stop. The course is designed to meander through this village ... in fact a series of competitors pit stop along the course, where any type of support is encouraged, including tents, supplies of cold beer and the odd couch.
"The race starts and finishes at the village area and competitors, as individuals or in a team relay, try to complete as many full-course laps as possible.
"Being a social event, competitors can stop before the full eight hours are up, or go and try to break the record.
"Within a team, there is no order or a compulsory number of laps to do for each competitor. The highest number of full laps completed in the shortest time determines the winners."
Entry forms were available on the Southern Traverse website. Registration cost $65 per person, or $45 for those aged 19 years and under.
