Bobby Dean, Courtney Pratt new victors for King of the Mountain Boxing Day race

Te Puke's Bobby Dean wins his first King of the Mountain title. Photo / George Novak

A unique Boxing Day race that severely tests the amount of Christmas pudding eaten by contestants has been held at Mount Main Beach since 1945.

The King of the Mountain race to the top of Mauao and back to a sprint finish along the sand to Moturiki Island has missed just one year due to bad weather in 1982.

Since 1987 the Queen of the Mountain women's race has been held together with the men's event.

Yesterday morning two new champions were crowned in unseasonably wet conditions.

Te Puke's Bobby Dean, 30, and Mount Maunganui's Courtney Pratt, 32, won their first titles after the closest sprint finishes in years.

Dean had previously competed in five Boxing Day races with three second places behind Daniel Jones, who was after his fourth consecutive title.

This time Dean had the stamina and speed to hold off Jones who once again made the early running and led heading up Mauao.

"It was such a tight race with not a lot of difference again. There was just 100m in it at the finish," Dean said.

"I managed to hold on to him at the top. Normally he leaves me behind on the way up. I managed to edge away on the descent and get a bit of a gap on the way down."

The heavy rain actually made the conditions more comfortable than usual, Dean said.

"It wasn't slippery and it was almost nicer this time. It was better conditions because it was not so hot. Great to finally have got it. The last three years has been the same 100m distance but with him in front, so it is nice to finally win."

Whakatane runner Jones, 27, would love to have notched up his sixth victory since 2008 but the race record holder was gracious in defeat to Dean.

"I felt pretty consistent and didn't blow up. Bobby wasn't too far behind on the beach and at the top and he had me on the downhill this year. But it is all good.

"It is one of these races where you show up after Christmas and no one really feels like racing but once you are out there everyone has a really good time. You are suffering at the same time but you do enjoy it and feel good afterwards."

Race organiser Malcolm Taylor competes in his 50th King of the Mountain. Photo / George Novak

For Pratt, the climb up the mountain was a real challenge for her first time of entering the event.

"The really steep section and double stairs in the middle was a killer. This race is really good training for my Tarawera 100 Ultra. This is my speed work so I am really pleased with today's performance, particularly with the quality of women in this field," she said.

"I was looking over my shoulder the whole time and it was just mental grit that got me there to the end."

The Junior Mountain races for 15-and-under athletes were won by William Bourne, 13, and Gemma Baldrey, 15.

One of the loudest cheers was for race organiser Malcolm Taylor from Tauranga Ramblers who finished his 50th King of the Mountain race to set a remarkable record that may never be beaten.