"For us to be able to hold a great event in some of the best tracks and trails in the area is a real privilege.
"The event has a pretty special community feel about it with a number of local organisations and groups coming together to support it and see it succeed."
The T42 has once again attracted some of New Zealand's best off-road runners to compete in the range of events.
In that company are New Zealand Triple Crown winners Sjors Corporaal (24km) and Ruby Muir (42km), who both have great records in The Goat Alpine Run - also in the National Park. Coming back to compete in the T42 was an easy decision.
"I love it," said 19-year-old Muir. "Any time there is an organised event in the National Park it's pretty special, it's just such a beautiful landscape running through the forest - it's a great run."
Defending champions Suz Wood (2:07:22) and Mark Leishman (1:47:10) are expected to lead the way in the elite mountain bike race, while 2010 24km champions Corporaal (1:58:33) and Delmelza Murrihy-Topp (2:15:24) are once again expected to dominate that race.
Leishman claimed the men's mountain bike ride by demolishing the undulating and fairly technical course. It wasn't experience on the T42 track that got the rider known as "Cabin" home.
"Embarrassingly enough, it's the first time I've ridden through the 42 Traverse track," New Zealand Rep rider Leishman said after winning the inaugural event.
"I've heard amazing things and it didn't disappoint, just an amazing track, amazing scenery and an awesome experience to be able to do it an event environment - I'll definitely be back to defend my title, I'll actually be aiming to break 1 hour 40 minutes next year."
There will be a new men's marathon champion this year as defending champion James Kuegler, who ran 3:00:49 last year, is attempting the Routeburn Classic today.
"It's an awesome event and I liken it more to a road marathon than an off-road marathon with the condition of the track," said 23-year-old Kuegler.
"It's a very hard surface, gravel and tough so it takes it out of your legs and then it's up and down.
"I tried my best to go sub three hours last year and came up just short because that last 2km is pretty hilly."
He has simple advice for anyone taking on the 42km event.
"Start easy and build into it. Work out your perceived effort and begin at about six or seven on a scale of one to ten.
"When you get to the finish line you should be about 9.9 and have nothing left but if you go too early, you'll be spent before you get there."
Like most of the best emerging events around the country, the key to attracting good numbers and keeping the athletes engaged is a range of entry points.
There are five events in all, catering to all ability levels.
For the fitter athletes, there's the 45km Mountain Bike and 42km Marathon which are based on the 42 Traverse track.
The challenge declines through the range of events from the 24km Adventure Run/Walk to the 11km Run/Walk and 6.5km Run/Walk on tracks around the Owhango end of the 42 Traverse.
The most popular event is the 45km Mountain Bike.
"This ride is regarded by many as one of the best one-day mountain bike rides in the country and goes through some very remote but stunning countryside," said Green.
"It's an amazing ride with several small river crossings, pinchy climbs and super-fast downhills, but is still achievable by most ability levels."
"It's pretty cool seeing athletes of all kinds, families and older runners taking on events like this - it really adds to the atmosphere," added Muir.
There will be more than 300 people lining up to take on the various options, including more than 100 people taking on the full off-road marathon.
Muir hopes to break 3:22:08 which won her the event last year.
"It's mostly downhill and it's a wide track so that makes it a fast marathon," said the 19-year-old, this year's New Zealand Triple Crown winner.
"It's hard in that you can run it pretty fast and it's hard to keep that pace up. Last year it was my first full trail marathon so I loved the challenge and I think I'm a better runner this time around so it shouldn't be too hard beating that time."
As temperatures drop towards winter levels, conditions can also change very quickly in the National Park so safety is always a priority.
The Total Sport team has 30 on-course marshals, seven 4WD vehicles, three course managers and a dedicated safety team is on hand to ensure all competitors are safe for the duration of their event.
If last year's success is anything to go by, next weekend the T42 Central Plateau will add to the reputation of an event that has unlimited potential.
T42
* A unique event that features the world-renowned, Department of Conservation-managed 42 Traverse track.
* Five events are available: 45km mountain bike, 42km trail marathon run, 24km trail adventure run, 11km and 6.5km trail run/walk.
2010 winners
Marathon
Female, Ruby Muir 3:22:08. Male, James Kuegler 3:00:49.
Mountain bike
Female, Suz Wood 2:07:22. Male, Mark Leishman 1:47:10.
24km adventure run
Female, Delmelza Murrihy-Topp 2:15:24. Male, Sjors Corporaal 1:58:33.
6.5km run/walk
Female, Anna Bramley 35:41. Male, Connor Brown 38:51.
