It will be a hot run for Hillary Trail Ultra competitors who have embarked on the first trial of the marathon.

As the sun rose in the sky on 29 March about 120 runners gathered at Piha Domain to hear instructions from organiser Shaun Collins and have their boots sprayed with Trigene, before heading down to the beach for the start.

Just as they were leaving the Domain,  a big cheer welcomed the first runner from the first leg which had started at Arataki at 6 am. Quentin Stephan, a Frenchman, he looked as fresh as a daisy and was 20 minutes ahead of the next runner.

Those starting at Piha ran along North Piha beach before running up the Marawhara Walk then heading up the many steps of the Whites Track.

At Marawhara Walk entrance they encountered their first Trigene mat and had to squelch through before heading onwards.

A third group of runners was to join the race at Te Henga before heading along to the gruelling Te Henga Walkway before the race end at Muriwai. Park rangers and volunteers were out last week cutting back gorse on the walkway.

The race has been contentious because of fears of spreading Kauri PTA, and some concerns about commercialisation of the Hillary Trail.

Postscript: Winner of the 80km event was Quentin Stephan in 8 hours 38 minutes. Winner of the 34 km leg from Piha was Jamie Whyte in 3 hours 18 minutes.

Organiser Shaun Collins gives instructions at Piha Domain

Runners duck under a low pohutukawa branch at start of Marawhara Walk

Start of the race at Piha beach

Spraying boots with Trigene

Sarah Hillary at the start at Piha Domain