If there’s not much to do in March, Dipton farmer Chris Stewart suggests logging onto the GODZone live tracking website, find team number 54 and “watch the dots” for nine days.

While armchair sporting enthusiasts exercise their eyeballs, team 54 (Murihiku Mates) comprising Stewart and his friends, Brent Kingsland, David Cowie (both police officers) and Michele Frey (Department of Conservation employee), will be charging around the Rotorua backcountry in a concerted effort to finish the GODZone 650km long distance course.

The ninth chapter of GODZone runs from March 4 – 14, and this year the race teams will be fully supported, so the event can comply with level 2 Covid-19 restrictions.

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Despite the lack of international adventure racing teams this year, 70 teams will be lining up to attempt the Pure (long distance) course, or the shorter Pursuit race (about 550km).

Stewart believes Murihiku Mates should compete mid-pack. The goal is to complete the Pure course, which none have yet been able to do.

“Brent and I have have done two GODZones together already, and Dave, Brent and I have done a one GODZone together, in Fiordland. Michele, this is her first race with us but she has done a GODZone before too,” he said.

The team did a reconnaissance trip to Rotorua a few months ago to familiarise themselves with the area.

“None of us have raced up there before, which is part of the appeal, getting into somewhere new. Fiordland is our backyard and we have done a lot of playing there,” Stewart said.

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Last year, Kingsland suffered trench foot during the Fiordland GODZone race and had to be helicoptered off the course, while his teammates were directed to complete the short course instead.

Stewart said that experience had made the team wiser about things to do to protect their feet, which were constantly wet throughout the entire race.

He had not been keeping a strict training log but estimated team members had done about 80 hours a training a month, with a bit more over the summer.

The team would be taking bags with enough cereals, nuts and energy bars for 12 hours, but because the race is supported for the first time, would be hoping for some nice food through transitions, he said.

Murihiku Mates Dave, Chris and Brent on a training mission. PHOTO: Supplied

Stewart’s wife Sarah and a Dunedin multisport friend, Hugh Tait, would be reprovisioning Murihiku Mates.

“Sarah is a really good cook, so she is in charge of the food. Their role is quite big. They can save us a lot of time coming into transition,” Stewart said.

Murihiku Mates did not expect to see the leaders at any stage except on the start line.

“They are all a bit quick for us types with full-time jobs,” Stewart said.

World champion adventure racers Sophie Hart, Stu Lynch, Nathan Faa'vae and Chris Forne of team Avaya. PHOTO: GODZone

Top contenders

Some of the world's best racers are lining up to compete, including six-time world adventure racing champions Nathan Fa’avae, Sophie Hart, Stu Lynch, and Chris Forne of team Avaya.

Race director Warren Bates said he expected Avaya would be “the movers at the front” of the Pure field, with Hart providing some good local knowledge having grown up in the region.

Fa’avae said he could not wait to put his adventure racing boots back on.

“It's a great opportunity to experience the very first North Island GODZone – it's going to be unique in that volcanic landscape," says Nathan.

Wanaka's Simone Maier lifts a boat in GODZone Chapter 8. PHOTO: GODZone

Other racing royalty

Two time Coast to Coast longest day winner Simone Maier, of Wanaka, is teaming up with All Black legend Richie McCaw, Rob Nichol and Aaron Prince as team isport.

Bates said this should turn the spotlight on team isport.

“Simone was in the winning team at GODZone Chapter 8 so knows what it takes to lead from the front of the pack, and she is fast. 

“Aaron Prince brings all the adventure racing credentials required for a swift and consistent pace having 20 years under his belt, mainly with the Swedish team Haglof Silva. His strategy and decision making could be key for isport,” Bates said.

Nichol said the team was looking forward to racing at Rotorua.

“We have had the chance to get out and test some gear and enjoy hanging out together. With all four team-members competing at Coast to Coast last weekend, we have now turned our attention to full GODZone preparation and are super keen to get out and race and see how we go together as a team. There is nothing quite like the unknown,” Nichol said.

Richie McCaw leads Rob Nichol in GODZone Chapter 5. PHOTO: GODZone

Tiki Tour back for more

Queenstown team Tiki Tour, comprising Tom and George Lucas, Mike Kelly, and Kym Skerman, are also potential race leaders, with a win (2016) and a second place under their belts.

"I like Tiki Tour for their tenacity and drive, and their new team member Kym is very hardcore, however they will need to keep their heads together and have plenty of speed to match Aaron and Simone,” Bates said.

Bates also liked the look of the seasoned T7 team, led by Richard Anderson, of Wanaka, racing with Tim Farrant, Tim Skima, and Sara Prince. 

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Support crews

The introduction of support crews to GODZone this year would add a new dimension to the race, with Bates picking “it could screw with some of the top teams' racing style”.

Traditionally, teams would not see any supporters at transition, and Bates thought this could remove an advantage for team Avaya, which has a reputation for travelling light and having slick, well-organised transitions.

“Support crews will take that advantage away as other teams will be able to concentrate more on optimising their pace and strategically thinking about when to sleep and when to attack certain stages. Conversely, it could make it harder for some teams to finish as they will end up spending too much time in the relative comforts of a transition with their crew,” Bates said.

More information on GODZone, Chapter 9 HERE.