Sunshine and spot prizes the catalysts for a successful Raetihi Gutbuster

Claudia and Peter Zimmer celebrate as they approach the finish line of the Raetihi Gutbuster. Photo/ Liz Brooker

The sun came out and with it came the people as 100 competitors showed up for the Raetihi Gutbuster on Easter Sunday.

The furthest came from Boise, Idaho in the United States to take part in either a bike ride or a run along the Raetihi-Pipiriki road.

Guts were busted in an 18km fun run, an 18km cycle, a 25km downhill cycle or the ultimate gutbuster challenge - the 50km killer cycle.

This year, Sam Gardner from Auckland killed it, finishing the 50km in a record 1 hour 37 minutes.

Organiser Mike Conway said that the time was "exceptional" but that was not the highlight of the challenge.

"We don't really do winners, it's a fun run or ride, we have people that come first, but we try not to make too much of them," he said.

"You get a few heroes, but the whole idea is that it's a historic road and without that road Whanganui wouldn't have been able to send people any further north."

Mr Conway said that he and his wife Lucy always aim for between 50 and 120 competitors.

"Considering it was kind of yuck weather for the week running up to it, we weren't expecting that many," he said.

"It was a good day, the weather was nice, no one went to hospital which was cool and everyone got prizes so that's even better."

Prizes included a railcar trip with Forgotten World Adventures in Taumarunui, a stand-up paddleboarding experience and a ski trip experience at Mt Dobson in the South Island.

The other overall winners were Annette Thomas of Indianapolis, who finished the 18km cycle in 39:33 and Evan Lobb of New Plymouth who won the 18km run/walk in 1:18:47.

A full list of race results can be found on the Raetihi Gutbuster Cycle Ride or Run/walk Facebook page.