The designs for the obstacles have been sent away for construction and include monkey bars, seesaws, net climbs and fireman poles.
Ultimate Athlete is owned by Groundplay, whose directors are Pato Alvarez, Toby Burrow, Mitch Lowe and Gavin Foster.
Foster came to the group with the initial idea six months ago, wanting to bring something different to New Zealand.
Foster said obstacle course races were popular overseas and the team steered more towards endurance-based races which were suitable for a range of fitness abilities.
An artist impression of one of the obstacles - a climbing cargo net. Image / Supplied
The team also wanted to create a fun, achievable fitness challenge that could be worked towards in the new year and encourage people to get active.
The atmosphere was also important, Foster said, and there would be stalls, marquees, music and kids events, as well as a VIP spectator area at Mount Maunganui Surf Club.
Burrow said they would be using the event to raise money and awareness for mental health.
The course starts in front of the Mount Maunganui Surf Club with a soft-sand start and a lap around Mauao's base track.
The first sand obstacles then begin, followed by a sandbag carry to the top of Mount Drury and back.
One of the challenges will be running up and down Mount Drury with a sandbag. Photo / Supplied
Obstacles will then continue, with a new challenge around every 200m.
Those unable to do an obstacle will need to complete a penalty task before rejoining the race.
The 10km course will have a 500m out-and-back jerry-can march at the edge of the sand dunes near Banks Ave.
Heading back down to the beach, more obstacles will be done on the way back towards Mauao for a second lap of the base track.
On Friday, there will be a school competition, with intermediate-aged students in the morning, secondary students in the afternoon and a fun run for younger children in the evening.
Artist impressions for the under and over walls obstacle. Image / Supplied
The next day will be the big races: Ultimate Beast, which is 10km; Ultimate Challenge, which is 6km; and Ultimate Teams, who can enter either distance.
The races are split into age categories, with men and women separated. Teams can have three to six members of the same or mixed genders.
There will be prizes for each race, with the winning Ultimate Beast taking home $3000.
Alvarez said the two-day event would boost the local economy, bringing in people from around the country.
The event would eventually expand to Auckland, Wellington, Hawke's Bay and Christchurch.
Ultimate Athlete
• April 16: 10am-12pm: Intermediate ultimate schools, 1pm-3pm: Secondary ultimate schools, 5pm: Ultimate kids. • April 17: 10am-12pm: Ultimate Challenge (6km), 12pm-3pm: Ultimate Beast (10km), 3pm-6pm: Ultimate Teams (6km and 10km). • Where: Mount Maunganui. • Prices: Between $129-$169 per person when bought before January 16. • Kids prices: $30 per person.
