Teams competing in the annual Oxfam Trailwalker have taken the gruelling race in their stride - and knocked hours off previous records.
Auckland team 'Buff Wait There's More!' made it over the 100km finish line with a record-breaking 12 hours and 51 minutes.
Instead of walking the tough course Zebedee Stone, Billie Haresnape, Dylan Steeples and Chris Webb ran the entire way - and finished with the expected blisters, achy limbs and fatigue.
They knocked two hours off the previous Whakatāne record of 14 hours and 32 minutes.
After a lightning start the team led the trail all day, and ran to the finish line to an eruption of applause from the crowd.
Team leader, Zebedee Stone said making it through the gruelling distance was exhausting but rewarding.
"I've walked Oxfam Trailwalker a few times so I knew how challenging it is. Running it was definitely harder, but we've really enjoyed it and the welcome we've received from Whakatane, our support crew and the event volunteers has been fantastic.
"I feel really strongly about what Oxfam do and I believe in their work, which is a really good motivating factor - to know it's for something bigger."