Entrants, including elite competitors from across New Zealand and overseas, will take part in a variety of courses on October 13.
The 53km race starts at Diamond Harbour and heads up Mt Herbert before descending through the Packhorse Hut and across private farmland.
Competitors will then run through the Christchurch Adventure Park and Crater Rim trail to finish in Hansen Park, Opawa.
The race doubles as the Athletics New Zealand and Oceania trail running championships.
Last year, runners came from 12 countries.
The 30km, 22km, and 10km events all run on the Crater Rim trail, with the 30km also crossing private farmland.
Among the top entrants in the 53km race are Vajin Armstrong, who recently returned from racing in Africa and America, last year’s podium finisher Otto Schumacher, and Hayden Zervos, winner of last year’s 30km race.
The women’s field includes Rose Pearson and Nory Lansing, both top-five place-getters last year, and Mel Aitken, who competed for New Zealand in the world trail running championships in Portugal this year.
Race director Jamie Hawker said the event, organised by the Port Hills Athletic Club, welcomes everyone from the weekend warrior to elites from New Zealand, Australia and around the Pacific.
“Every race has a tail-end Charlie so no one is ever on their own and there will be close on 100 marshals to help guide runners safely out over the four courses.
“Our sponsors are local businesses, and our volunteers are individuals and groups such as Odyssey House and Achilles NZ, a running and walking group set up by the Blind Foundation, as well as our loyal club members.”
Mr Hawker said the Port Hills are suited to off-road racing and are a big reason for the increasing popularity of the Crater Rim Ultra.
“We have a unique event that embraces local trails and gets participants feeling a million miles away in nature above our city, but it’s all very close to town. So put in your entry, challenge yourself, and we’ll see you at the start line.”
