Otago multisporters cannot relax now - the Gold Rush is definitely going ahead next year.
The three-day adventure race around Central Otago will celebrate its 15th anniversary next year but athletes had been uncertain about its future.
Organiser Neville Grubb indicated to the media this year's race might be the last, prompting concerned Multisport New Zealand officials to approach him to discuss the race and offer support.
Grubb has confirmed the 2011 event dates are March 19-21, with entries opening online from 5pm on October 31.
The race will be in the same format as in the past.
Grubb is on holiday overseas and could not be contacted for further comment.
Multisport New Zealand president Bill Godsall, of Cromwell, has welcomed the announcement saying athletes would now be able to plan for the next adventure race season.
The organisation was facing a "real worrying time" with competitor numbers in decline, but was focused on taking ownership of the problems and encouraging and maintaining participation, he said.
The Gold Rush was a hard race and regarded by many as the pinnacle of achievement.
Other events were used as a stepping stone to get there, he said.
"Now he's come out and said yes it's going to go ahead.
It's going to be great ...
Lose that race and all aspirations are gone," Godsall said.
Godsall said multisport athletes continued to suffer from the economic downturn.
Instead of entering six races a season, athletes were cutting costs by working towards one or two main races.
"We estimate a 20% decrease in participation across New Zealand in events.
That's not all events, but pro-rata.
Some are growing.
People seem to be getting more into running, so running is on the increase.
But some multisport, triathlon or cycle races are going down in numbers."
Godsall said the annual Cromwell summer series events were an example of where community-run events could remain well patronised at a lower cost and "create pathways to glory".
Many multisport races no longer contained an "adventure" component and Multisport New Zealand intends to address that by introducing a 24-hour adventure race based at Cromwell on November 20.
This year's champions, Dougal Allan and Joanna Williams, both of Wanaka, could not be contacted to confirm whether they will defend their titles.
They are both working and training overseas.
