Record entry numbers from as far afield as Australia look set to make the Top Energy Northern Crossing on April 21 a sporting event to remember.
Organiser Owen Smith of the Rotary Club of Kerikeri said over 100 people had signed up so far for the crossing's three events - a triathlon, a duathlon and the new "Four Fun" team event.
This year there is $2000 in prizemoney up for grabs with $1000 for each athlete who sets new course records for the men's and women's individual multisport event. There are also a wide range of spot prizes worth around $15,000.
"Ours isn't a big event compared with other marathons around NZ, but it's a challenging and interesting race with a reputation that seems to be spreading among those in the know," Smith said. "We're hoping this will be a watershed year in terms of our national profile."
The current men's multisport record is held by Sam Goodall at 5:13:00, and the women's record is held by Hayley Goold at 6:14:35. These times were set in less-than-ideal conditions in 2011 so it is expected that records will fall this year, particularly if conditions are good.
From Kupe's first landing place almost 800 years ago at the mouth of the Hokianga Harbour, the event route follows ancestral pathways across the island to Kerikeri, the site of the first permanent trading post built by English missionaries almost 200 years ago.
The challenge begins out on the South Head of the Hokianga Harbour entrance, with its spectacular views.
A karakia by local kaumatua John Klarisich will send the runners off on the nine-kilometre first leg.
Once the notoriously steep hill heading to Omapere has been conquered, the Hokianga harbour opens up in front of the runners.
They then complete the leg with a scenic run along the beach to waiting kayaks in front of the statue of Opo the Dolphin at Opononi beach.
The kayak is an 18km paddle up the harbour on the incoming tide, passing huge sand hills and some of the first settlements in NZ, before arriving at Clendon House in Rawene.
A 74km cycle route across Northland brings the athletes to Waipapa, at which stage they dump the bikes and run down the scenic Kerikeri river track to the Stone Store basin, past Rainbow Falls.
The Rotary Club of Kerikeri is co-ordinating a number of events in the Basin Reserve which it hopes will add to the festive feel at the finish line.
Proceeds from the Northern Crossing help support the Northland Electricity Rescue Helicopter and community youth projects right across the area.