A first place may be almost out of sight but team isport, featuring Wanaka competitors, is fighting hard for a podium finish at Godzone Chapter 9.

Godzone is New Zealand's only multi-day, non-stop, expedition-style adventure race: Teams spend up to ten days racing a total of 666km in the challenge near Rotorua which features navigation, trekking, mountain biking, kayaking and canoeing.

Team Avaya (Nathan Fa'avae, Chris Forne, Sophie Hart, and Stu Lynch) had their sights set on the finish line in a day five update yesterday evening (Tuesday March 9).

The leading adventure racing world champions completed a 88km trekking stage through the Kaimanawa Ranges, southeast of Taupo, in a little over 48 hours yesterday morning.

Team isport features (L-R) Dougal Allan, Theo Wordsworth, Simone Maier and Richie McCaw.

At the GODZone transition at Waikoko Valley Camp, team captain Nathan Fa’avae gave a brief update.

“It’s as good as it gets as far as hiking goes. I was really enjoying it, but tough to have as part of a stand-alone event like this...we moved efficiently, but it took us a long time because it was a long way.”

Behind Avaya are Queenstown’s Tiki Tour and isport who are battling it out for second and third positions.

All smiles on the trekking leg for team isport yesterday.

Team isport features Wanaka multisport athletes Dougal Allan and Simone Maier, who recently took out her second women's longest day Coast to Coast title. They are competing alongside Wanaka homeowner and All Blacks legend Richie McCaw, plus Theo Wordsworth.

"We got some sleep on the pack rafting, and that has made all the difference – I feel like the race has started all over again for me,” Richie told media yesterday morning as team isport began the trek.

It has been a battle between the three teams since the start of Godzone Chapter 9, with Avaya overtaking isport and Tiki Tour a couple of days in.

A tracking update at 5.30pm yesterday showed isport in second place, working their way through the trekking section.

Godzone Chapter 9 began on March 5 and teams have until March 14 (Sunday) to complete the gruelling 666km adventure - but the top teams may complete the event much sooner.

Stay up to date on results at the Godzone website here.

PHOTOS: Godzone