The Three Peaks mountain race in Dunedin has always attracted the best runners. The race takes in three of Dunedin's toughest mountains - Flagstaff, Swampy and Mt Cargill - and has been a popular mountain race since it was first held in 1984.
Euan Robertson, who finished sixth in the 3km steeplechase at the Montreal Olympics in 1976, and John Campbell, who was 12th in the marathon in Seoul in 1988, competed in the event in 1985.
The mountain race was the brainchild of Sarah and Peter Haines, who modelled the race on English fell running.
The Leith club took control of the event 20 years ago and race organiser Allan Funnell expects 150 runners to start on Sunday.
Last year's race was won by Dunedin doctor Dougal Thorburn in 1hr 57min 41sec. But he now lives in Wellington and is not expected to contest this year's race.
One of the favourites is medical student Peter Meffan, who has demonstrated top form on the track and was runner-up last year. His father, Pat Meffan, competed in 1985.
New Zealand 10,000m champion Caden Shields could win the race and challenge the record if he starts.
The top woman last year was Louisa Andrew, in 2hr 37min 44sec. She won the masters women's section. The open women's race was won by Whitney Dagg in 2hr 38min 41sec.
Thorburn was the first runner to the top of Swampy, in 52min 37sec, and was the King of the Mountain last year.
Andrew was the Queen of the Mountain when she reached Swampy Summit in 1hr 10min 30sec.
Chip Dunckley was the first runner to break the 2hr barrier, in 1985, with his record time of 1hr 58min 40sec.
The record lasted seven years, until 1992, when mountain-running specialist Russell Hurring ran 1hr 57min 21sec. Aaron Strong reduced the record to 1hr 53min 16sec in 1995 and it remained the record for the old course.
Judy Knight set the women's record of 2hr 29min 14sec in 1993 and it was reduced to 2hr 18min 30sec by by Joanne Burkett in 1995.
The record lasted for another four years until Shireen Crumpton ran 2hr 9min 23sec in 1999. Sarah Chisnall reduced Crumpton's time on the old course to 2hr 9min 4sec in 2007.
The new course is longer and the records are held by Dougal Thorburn with 1hr 55min 44sec (2010), and Sarah Chisnall with 2hr 19min 56sec (2010).
An innovation this year is the 11km uphill run to Swampy Summit. It is the changeover point for the two-man teams race.
Three Peaks
The facts
Peaks: Flagstaff, Swampy, Mt Cargill.
First held: 1984.
Records (old course): Aaron Strong, 1hr 53min 16sec (men); Sarah Chisnall, 2hr 9min 4sec (women).
Records (new course): Dougal Thorburn, 1hr 55min 44sec (men); Sarah Chisnall, 2hr 19min 56sec (women).
