The stars of last year's Coast to Coast - Braden Currie (first in the Longest Day), Dougal Allen (third, and runner-up in 2010, 2011 and 2012), Jess Simson (first female in the two-day) and Ailsa Rollinson (third female in Longest Day) - all hail from Wanaka, and they have been joined by two rising contenders.
Hamish Fleming (23) initially made the move in April last year, seeking to exorcise his Longest Day demons from last year, immerse himself in the multisport community and train in spectacular surroundings.
Fleming was joined in Wanaka late last year by good friend Pete Smallfield (22), who is among the early favourites for the two-day section this year, after spending time in Australia to gain the work experience required to complete his bachelor's degree in surveying.
''I realised that training in 40deg C and working seven days a week was not for me,'' Smallfield said.
''I'd missed the majority of the New Zealand summer racing season and was keen to get back on track. I heard Hamish had made the move to Wanaka to focus on his training and decided to join him, and put a real focus on to my racing.''
The two are in awe of their picturesque new base, which makes it easier to forgive the extremities of the weather.
''It just makes training a little bit more challenging,'' Smallfield said.
Both Fleming and Smallfield balance part-time work with their need to train as much as possible in preparation for the Speight's-sponsored Coast to Coast on February 14-15.
Smallfield was grateful to be able to get a surveying job with Paterson Pitts Wanaka, working three days a week.
''The company has been amazing in supporting me with my racing and are sponsoring my entry,'' he said.
Fleming, meanwhile, has sacrificed his geology and geography degree, to balance his training schedule around working 25 hours a week at New World Wanaka.
The two are coached by Matty Graham, who has had a guiding hand in many of the area's sporting success stories.
Fleming and Smallfield have not been without interruptions to their preparations for this year's Coast to Coast.
After moving into a new flat in November, they were required to move out in mid-December because of the holiday season, and spent a month living out of suitcases and sleeping on couches or in spare rooms at various friends' houses.
They have since returned to the flat they share with two other athletes, Will Sams and Cameron Holden, and find the experience ''extremely motivating''.
''Sitting on the couch when everyone else is out training is not an option, unless you want to be ridiculed by the other flatmates,'' Smallfield said.
''It's also great to have people around you to talk to when you're having an off day. They understand what you're going through.
''We push and motivate each other along and claim bragging rights.''
After the Coast to Coast, the next race for the pair will be Wenzhou Outdoor Challenge, a multistage adventure team race in Zhejiang, China.
