Runner to enter gruelling event | Rotorua Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Rotorua

It's the ultimate test of personal endurance, both physical and mental, punishing your body and mind over a gruelling yet beautifully scenic 100km.

Come tomorrow morning, Brendon Arkwright and almost 300 others will run from the Redwoods Visitor Centre in Rotorua through forest, beside lakes and finish in Kawerau having completed the Tarawera Ultramarathon.

"I need to see if I can," was Arkwright's reason for entering his first ultradistance event.

"I want to find out about my brain and body I guess."

Arkwright, 34, started running for stress relief - he and wife Anne own Abracadabra, The Souq and are opening a third business - The Mexican - in about a month. They have two children - Cameron, 6, and Jessie, 4.

He's completed three Rotorua Off-Road half marathons and two Rotorua Marathons but this is his first ultra outing.

"I run for the stress relief, after an hour in the Redwoods everything seems good again. I've read a few books about ultras and thought I'd give it a go.

"For something like this, it's all in your head, that's what I've learned from my training. I'm very stubborn when it comes to this; I'll follow it through to the bitter end."

It will be a day he cherishes and one that will celebrate eight months of training.

His longest week's training culminated in a 60km run with a 40km run the following day.

A cousin in South Africa has run 10 100 mile (160km) races and has 10 Comrades ultra race finishes under her belt.

Arkwright is already eyeing up a 160km race for his next big venture. "When I decided to do this I wanted to finish in 10 hours, but then I started training. I'd love to finish in 12 hours but I can't fathom that final 20km. I've looked at my pace and add a bit on but I just want to have fun and remember it.

"I read a quote from a runner that 10km is a race, a marathon is an experience and an ultra is an adventure. That struck a chord. It's a challenge but who knows, it might be extremely fun."

Entries as at the start of March had 19 relay teams, 99 100km solo runners, 42 85km solo and 66 60km runners.