Martin Lukes (Christchurch) has established himself as the ironman of long-distance mountain running in New Zealand and in normal conditions would smash the record for the Great Naseby Water Race 100km.
But snow is still lying on the ground after last week's polar blast, and that means conditions will not be perfect. It will make it more difficult for fast running and record-breaking tomorrow.
Dunedin's Greg Hannah set the race record last year when he won the 100km event in 8hr 54min 06sec. The women's record of 9hr 56min 33sec was run by Jean Beaumont in 2009.
In normal conditions, Lukes would be expected to beat the record by 30 minutes.
He has wide experience in international ultra-distance races and has competed in five international 100km events.
The Great Naseby Water Race was first held in 2007 and has increased in popularity every year. There are 77 runners this year, including 11 for the 100km.
The field includes John Bayne (Dunedin), who won the 100km in 2008, and Wayne Baxter (Tuatapere). Matt Bixley, who has raced the 100km for the last four years, has opted for the 50km.
The top contenders in the 80km race are Dave McLean (Dunedin) in the men's race and Rachel Fleming in the women's.
A legend of the world distance-running scene, Jim Kerse, is starting in the 50km race.
Favourites for the 60km teams race are Bill Labes and Ann Bixley, Helen and Mark Chignall and Craig Page and Clare McDonald.
The runners compete on a 10km course from the Naseby dam. The 100km race starts at 6am.
