A race against the sun will be the first in a trilogy of challenges based on the legends of Maui and organised by a Hastings woman who plans to run the Madagascar ultra marathon next year.
Long distance runner Beverly Te Huia has designed the "Maui Challenge" which will be based on her experiences completing the Sahara Desert run 2011 as well as her up coming New York Marathon race and the Madagascar event.
"I've designed a course based on my passion and interest in desert running, but it will be at home here in Hawke's Bay, and it will be based on the legends of Maui."
The first is called "Maui and the Sun", a half marathon circuit which will be run at night inside the Cape Kidnappers wildlife preserve on January 18, 2014.
"Starting at sundown, about 9pm, competitors will start their long journey through the night and not stop until the sun comes up over the ocean, 6am.
"Those who know the legend of Maui and how he slowed the sun, will understand why this event needs to be run at night."
The legends of Maui have been captured in many songs and books widely used in schools. One of the well-know stories recounts how Maui and his brothers travelled to the east of New Zealand and slowed the path of the sun across the sky, providing more time for crops to grow, people to work and children to play.
"The challenge will be to see how many kilometres competitors can run before the sun comes up. The whole course will be lit by glow sticks and it is also fitting that the competitors will run among the sounds of Kiwi, Takahe, Tuatara.
"This race is very special, and is definitely one of the best courses I have seen throughout my challenges."
The Maui and the Sun event will be followed by two other challenges in 2014, a stand-up paddle board race and then a waka ama race.
Ms Te Huia plans to run the New York Marathon on November 3, will have the Maui and the Sun Challenge to organise in January next year, followed by the 250km Madagascar ultra marathon in August 2014.
"The Madagascar event is part of four other desert runs I've planned, including the Gobi, Atacama, and Antarctica."