The world’s largest adventure race, GODZone, will kick off its tenth anniversary event in Wānaka next month.

GODZone is New Zealand's only multi-day, non-stop, expedition-style adventure race, where teams spend up to ten days racing hundreds of kilometres in a challenge which features navigation, trekking, mountain biking, kayaking and canoeing.

Wānaka is the host town for the March 3-12 event but the course itself will remain a secret until the day before the race starts, although race director Warren Bates did give some clues.

“To celebrate the ten years, we have designed a ‘traverse’ style course where teams will travel from one remote coastline to another, completing a diverse and wild journey across the South Island,” Warren said.

“It will be a phenomenal adventure that only the hardiest teams will manage to complete and is a fitting tribute to a decade of amazing GODZone journeys with many repeat competitors.”

Because the event features small teams competing across large distances, it can go ahead under the red traffic light setting.

“We are well prepared to ensure the event runs as smoothly as possible. Everyone can't wait to get underway in four weeks’ time and get this tenth adventure started.”

Simone Maier, Dougal Allan, Richie McCaw and Theo Wordsworth (Team isport) at GODZone Chapter 9 in Rotorua last year

The sell-out field features some of New Zealand’s leading adventure racing teams including returning world champions Nathan Fa’avae, Chris Forne, Sophie Hart and Stu Lynch of team Avaya.

Warren said reaching the tenth anniversary of GODZone was a significant highlight for 100% Pure Racing, the Queenstown Lakes based company behind the event.

He said the future looks bright for GODZone and adventure racing in New Zealand.

“We have already announced that Chapter 11 will be going ahead with some major announcements to come shortly, which is very exciting and shows the real global interest in this sport here.”

The GODZone adventure race will take place from March 3-12, starting here in Wānaka.

PHOTO: Supplied