Throughout the 106-year history of the Port Chalmers to Dunedin Road Race, many athletes have either conquered or burned, and today's race will be no different.
The annual handicapped event begins with the field facing the starter in Port Chalmers at 1pm, then following a course over the old road back to the finish at Logan Park.
The race's distinguishing feature is the three major hill climbs in the first 5km, which subsequently makes the second half of the course a test of stamina.
Although the record for the 12km course of 37min 40sec, set by Alan (AJ) Moir (Ariki) in 1974, does not appear to be under threat, the competition for fastest time today appears likely to be contested keenly by Ariki athletes Callan Moody, Matt Lambert and Simon Rodgers.
Moir along with Tony O'Brien (Mornington) in 1975, are the only athletes to have broken the 38min barrier, but neither have won the annual handicapped event outright.
Only two athletes have had the distinction of winning outright on two occasions - Archie Kirkwood (Otago University) in 1941 and 1943 and Frank Perry (Leith) in 1950 and 1989.
There are a number of previous winners in the field today with Ray Knox (Leith), Bruce Cowan (Hill City) and Grant McDougall (Leith), all of whom are capable of making the most of their chances in such a race.
With the event opened up to women in 1982, only two have claimed outright honours - Sue O'Sullivan (Hill City) in 1983 and Ros Dowland (Caversham) in 1985.
The Hill City pair of Helen Chignell and Sue Nicol are just two who could add their names to this short list today.
Following the open race, age group races will be held for junior athletes on a course encompassing the surrounds of Logan Park.
Luke Hurring (Ariki), Sam Kidd (Otago University) and Shireen Crumpton (Hill City) head the Otago team to contest the national road championships in Hamilton today.
Other members of the team are Stuart Paul (Ariki), Lyndon Brown (Caversham), Tony Payne (Caversham), John Winsbury (Leith), James List (Ariki), Richard Hendry (Leith), Erin Whitla (Otago University) and Sue Cuthbert (Leith).
