Melissa Moon of Wellington should make it New Zealand mountain running title number five at the championship to be raced over Mt Victoria, Wellington on Sunday.
The twice world mountain running champion had one of her best training sessions on Mt Victoria this week and is looking forward to the race.
"I had my two fastest ever reps over the course. I am going into the unknown with this one as I haven't done a mountain race since Alaska in 2003," said Moon
"I want to get this one out of the way, then assess where I'm at before some mountain races in the States next month.
"I will then be better prepared for the world championship in September," she added.
The championships on Sunday will also be trial for the world championship to be held over the same course in September.
Also likely to feature in the women's 9100m event will be national junior champion in 2001 Sarah Devoy of Hamilton, Kate McIlroy of Wellington, Anna Frost of Dunedin who was 44th at the world championships in Italy last September and former representative at the world champs Jo Burkett of Auckland.
Alan Bunce of Auckland, responding to a mate's challenge, has entered the men's championship over 13,500m.
Bunce with national 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, half marathon, cross country and road titles to his credit should adapt well to the meaty rigors of mountain running.
"The goal will be getting around the tough course. I was daunted when I saw Hay Street, so first and foremost it will be a matter of getting through it," said Bunce.
Bunce has played cricket all summer, but has worked hard for the mountain champs in recent weeks, shedding 12kg in weight.
"It is going to be a hell of a challenge, but I am looking forward to it.
"It is my first race since the national road relay in Feilding in 2002, so there will be bits of rust falling off," he added.
Callum Harland of Waikato has returned to defend his title won last year at Cardrona. Harland was 46th at last year's world championships.
This will be the first up and down course that Harland has attempted.
"It will be interesting to see how I go. I have concentrated on downhill running in my training and my legs have held up well.
"I'm looking forward to it and I hope the top runners make themselves available for the world champs to make for a strong team," said Harland.
Seaton Meredith of Auckland 55th at the 2003 world championships in Alaska has entered along with twice national junior champion Matthew Prosser of Wellington and Glenn Hughes of Wellington who has also won the junior title twice.
Hayden McLaren of Christchurch should successfully defend his junior title while Wellington's Hayley Green and Melissa Murrihy from Taumarunui should battle out the junior women.
Paul Forster of Kapiti, masters champion in 2002 and Barry Prosser the 2003 champion should dominate the masters 9100m. Michele Allison of Wellington Scottish and Janice McCallum of Hawera should feature among the top placings in the masters women.
source Athletics New Zealand
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