The Kepler Challenge Mountain Run is the premier mountain running event in New Zealand and follows the 60 km Kepler Track through the Fiordland National Park. It has been held annually since 1988, and draws competitors from throughout New Zealand and around the world.
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Starting at the Control Gates of Lake Te Anau the route follows an easy first 6 km before it takes a steady climb to the Luxmoore Hut. The next 12 km offer wonderful views of the South Fiord along the undulating tops before a spectacular descent to the Iris Burn Hut. A gradual 17 km journey down the Iris Burn brings competitors to the Moturau Hut on Lake Manapouri and from there a 6 km run to the last checkpoint at Rainbow Reach. The home straight follows alongside the Waiau River and back to the Control Gates.
As of 2005[update] the men's race record of 4h37m41s is held by Phil Costley, who in December 2005 beat Russel Hurring's previous record of 4:41:32 (in 1993). Zelah Morrall smashed the women's race record repeatedly, last in 2003 by a further 10 minutes. A number of competitors should complete the course in less than 5 hours. Others may take up to 11 hours. As of 2006, Murray Thomas, an engineer from Alexandra has run in and completed all 19 Kepler Challenges, while Alan Reid, a school teacher from Greymouth, Peter Dunne, who works for Badminton NZ and (?) have each run 18.
In 2009, one of the competitors, Malcolm Law, completed the run as the last stage in a "7-in-7 challenge"[1], in which he became the first person to run all of New Zealand's 7 Great Walks in 7 days (a total of 360 km, or 9 marathons), in aid of the Leukemia and Blood Foundation of New Zealand[2].
Also in 2009, Murray Thomas returned from overseas to complete his 21st challenge, Ray Willett (Te Anau) completed his 21st challenge and Alan Reid completed his 21st event from 22 starts (Alan withdrew during the 2006 event due to injury/knee surgery issues).
Such an event requires a large support team to operate the checkpoints, provide communications, first aid and other services. Nearly 200 local people contribute in some way to ensure that the event runs smoothly. Thousands of voluntary hours go into organising the race but it is all worth it to make it a major highlight on the Fiordland Calendar.
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