The Goat Alpine Adventure Run, the second leg of the New Zealand Triple Crown, following Toi's Challenge, in Whakatane, and the Great Cranleigh Kauri Run (in Coromandel on February 5), starts at the foot of the Whakapapa Ski Area. It comes with tagline "Have you Goat what it takes?" and many will find out what they are made of on a trail-running adventure that includes single track, switchbacks, technical, gnarly and mystique terrain.
"A good benchmark for the Goat is to take your usual half-marathon time and double it - a good build up is useful," said Cameron.
Radio Sport host Mark Watson, who will MC the day, believes the Goat is regarded widely as one of New Zealand's premier off-road running events.
"It's the quintessential New Zealand run," said Watson, who ran the first reconnaissance run in 0.6m of snow. "It's that she'll be right Kiwi attitude that looks to knock the bastard off.
"It's a World Heritage Site and as a genuine alpine run ... it's tough, really tough."
Men's and women's champions Sjors Corporaal, of Murupara, and Ruby Muir, of Whitianga, are ready to defend their titles.
Corporaal has dominated the Goat's recent history and will be looking to make it four in a row after winning last year in a time of 1hr 57min to beat Wellington's Rees Buck by more than 2min. The pig-hunting enthusiast is focused on breaking the race record of 1hr 56min 21sec set by England's Thomas Owens in 2005.
"It will be in the back of my mind for sure and I'll be checking my watch as we come through Mama's Mile," said Corporaal, 33.
Corporaal is the defending champion for the North Island Triple Crown of Trail Running.
"A guy like Sjors shows us that there are still hard men out there in the rural areas who come with no fanfare or flashiness," said Watson.
"He is just a tough and fearless competitor and his ability is a byproduct of his passion for pig hunting."
Other top contenders for the men's race include multisporter James Kuegler, who won the T42 across the 42nd Traverse, and Rohan Akers, a Rogaining specialist from Britain who is based in Auckland.
Also almost certain to be in the mix are Tauranga's Chris Morrissey (third last year) Wellington's Daniel Clendon (fourth) and Rotorua's Colin Earwaker, who won the race in 2006 as a 50-year-old.
A surprise name lining up is former national under-19 3000m champion Garit Read, of Hamilton. Read is now 25 and while his fitness is unknown he was once a running prodigy and could be a contender.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Muir is targeting her second victory at the Goat following her comfortable win ahead of Palmerston North's Piret Klade.
"I looked at the time I ran last year and I realised I was only 2min off Melissa Moon's record [2hr 23min 39sec set in 2004]," said Muir. "So that is a goal for this year - I feel like I am fitter and I want to push the pace."
Muir loves what the adventure trail offers.
"It is these sorts of events that got me into running and the rugged terrain really suits me. The trails are much more exciting and engaging and that makes the experience more enjoyable."
"A performance like Ruby put on last year showed that she is an incredible talent and she probably doesn't realise her potential - she has the ability to be a world-class athlete," said Watson.
Competitors run 2km down Bruce Rd before entering the Round the Mountain track.
The run traverses the rugged flanks of Mt Ruapehu and exits the track at Mountain Rd before commencing the last demanding kilometre to the base of the Turoa ski area.
The climb, known in the event as Mama's Mile, is revered as the final challenge to complete the Goat Run and Watson regards it as "the hardest mile in New Zealand sport".
For many athletes, simply completing the 21km course is an achievement.
