The Kepler Challenge is set to be run in great conditions this weekend, bringing relief to organisers.

The iconic Te Anau event is usually run on the first weekend of December but had to be postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions. After the postponement was announced, many participants of the usually full event had to pull out.

Organising Committee Chair and Race Director Steve Norris says they have now made numbers up to within 10% of a full race. 410 of a maximum of 450 racers will be competing in the Challenge, with 191 out of 200 places taken for the shorter Luxmore Grunt.

Kepler Challenge. Photo: Graham Dainty

“We are absolutely excited to be having the event now, especially after the last two years with inclement weather for runners. The complaint now will be that it’s too hot!” 

Bad weather led to route changes for the 2019 and 2020 events, but with the weather forecast showing a sunny 26 degrees, the Kepler Challenge route will be most likely be run in its entirety.

Norris says it will be great for the runners. “They love running over the tops, they love the scenery. It will be a more enjoyable day for them. It’ll hurt a bit more, but it’ll be worth it.” 

“If I was a runner, I would be rapt. This might be the first race they’ve done since the last lockdown, or at least the first major endurance event.” 

The field this year is competitive, with leading runners from previous year returning as well as some new threats on the course.

“It’s a great field, especially for the women’s race. I would say the women’s record will be broken, or if not, it’ll be close to broken.”

Joining the women’s field is Ruth Croft, a kiwi ultra-runner well known in international circles. She is considered among the best in the world after an impressive second place female finish at the prestigious Western States Endurance Run in California, US.

Other contenders include Nancy Jiang and Ruby Muir, who scored first and second female respectively in the 2020 race.

The men’s field will also be highly competitive, with the return of Dan Jones who has won the Kepler Challenge for the past three years. 

Covid considerations have led to some changes in the event, with the pre-race briefing now being held online, and the prizes given at the finish line rather that at a formal post-race event.  

Norris also reminds spectators to be respectful of regulations on the day, and to be aware that the finish line this year will be cordoned off for racers and officials only. 

“We still want people to come out, but just to be respectful of covid protocols.” 

Racing will begin at about 6am, Saturday 15 January at the Lake Te Anau Control Gates. 

The first runners from the Luxmore Grunt are expected over the finish line from 9am, and those completing in the Kepler Challenge are expected from 10:30am.