Defending champion Robert Jopp (Hill City-University) faces a strong challenge when the 22nd annual Time Buster race around the Octagon is held tomorrow morning.
Jopp (17) was first to the top of the hill and held on to win last year's event in 33.93sec.
But he will be challenged by clubmate Daniel O'Shea, who is a 400m specialist and ran 48sec to win the Lovelock Classic in Timaru two weeks ago.
Both runners have the potential to break the race record of 31.63sec Cory Innes (Taieri) ran in 2008.
Blair Grant (Taieri) was runner-up last year and could challenge the frontrunners if they stumble.
The 243m street race starts outside the New Zealand Shop when the Dunedin Town Hall clock strikes the first of its 10 strokes at 10am. The aim is to reach the finish before the clock strikes 10.
The start is important, and the runner who gets the jump when the first of the 10 chimes ring out from the Town Hall clock has the advantage. The runner who reaches the top first can control the race on the downhill stretch to the Regent Theatre. It is a matter of holding form after this on the short uphill stretch to the finish.
Fiona Hely (Hill City-University) is the form runner and is expected to dominate the women's race.
She demonstrated her endurance when she ran a personal-best 400m in 58.18sec in Timaru two weeks ago. Her best 200m time is 24.38sec.
The Time Buster starts and finishes outside the New Zealand Shop, the sponsor of the event. The first male and female to cross the finish line receive $300. There is a bonus payment of $500 for breaking the men's or women's records and an additional $250 for finishing before the 10th chime.
Time Buster
At a glance
Venue: Octagon.
First held: 1992.
Distance: 243m.
Records: Cory Innes (men) 31.63sec (2008), Anna Smythe (women) 35.01sec (1998).
THE FIELD
Men: Robert Jopp, Daniel O'Shea, Zak Watt, Blair Grant, Chris McNoe, Felix McDonald.
Women: Fiona Hely, Brigid O'Neill, Anna Cross, Zoey Flockton, Tori Clearwater, Liz Wilson.
