Aussie bikini model Emmi Moore couldn't make it but hundreds still braved fire, mud, water and a perilous obstacle course at the Paraparaumu edition of the Warrior dash running race.

Ms Moore was the last model to grace the cover of men's magazine Ralph after it folded in 2010.

The 23-year-old was to have been the event's main attraction and organisers are ''gutted'' she was called back to Perth at late notice for personal reasons.

Nevertheless the event, billed as ''The Craziest Frickin' Day of Your Life,'' has been hailed a success.

Waves of competitors from teenagers to senior citizens set off throughout the day around the 5Km course at Queen Elizabeth Park, which was packed yesterday with all manner of athletes competing and playing dress ups in their quest for ultimate warrior status.

Thrillseekers from across the country battled treacherous terrain pitted with obstacles, scrambled beneath barbed-wire, through tangled ropes and leapt through fire.

Event organiser Ashlee Rose said around 750 people competed, with the fastest time going to men's winner Rory Sullivan, 30, of Wellington who completed the course in 27m and 35s.

The start and finish lines were in the party zone and a nine-metre-long barbed-wire enclosed mudpool provided plenty of thrills for spectators soaking up the festival atmosphere.

''It was exciting, the tunes were cranking and we had some really awesome costumes - people were dressed up as ducks, as Mexican wrestlers and there were a lot of people in St Patrick's day outfits,'' Ms Rose said.

The event was incident free and competitors suffered only minor pain.

''There was no trouble and no major injuries, just the odd blister and plaster.''

Organisers say the event has attracted more than a million global competitors making the dash the world's largest running series.

The next instalment is set down for Auckland on April 6 at 283 Lyons Road, Mangatawhiri.

Men 
1. Rory Sullivan, 30, Wellington - 27m 35s 2. Antony Nalder, 27, Churton Park - 28m 37s 3. David Driscole, 33, Te Aro - 28m 51s 

Women 
1. Lillia Csorgo, 46, Wellington - 32m 25s 2. Larna Payne, 29, Wellington - 32m 40s 3. Janet Harris, 40, Waikanae - 32m 47s 

- © Fairfax NZ News

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