A challenge to get teeth into

Dentists come with a reputation for inflicting pain, and tomorrow Uwe Paschke will be suffering some torment himself.

The 54-year-old Blenheim dental surgeon is the only Marlborough runner lining up to compete in the solo section of the annual 84km Molesworth Run.

Just 10 harriers, out of a field of over 200, will line up at Molesworth Cob Cottage tomorrow faced with the prospect of slogging the full distance to Hanmer Springs.

For Paschke, a proven long distance competitor who has completed numerous half marathons, marathons and an ironman, the motivation was simple.

"I'm doing it because I've never done it before and it should be beautiful scenery," He said. "I did an Ironman and cycled 150km with a flat tyre so I'm sure I'll survive."

Paschke grew up in the small town of Kelkheim in Germany before moving with his family to New Zealand.

After 2 1/2 years in Dunedin, resitting dentistry qualifications, and stints in Christchurch and Timaru he moved to Blenheim in December last year.

A rigorous trainer, he runs 10.5km each morning, regularly hitting the Wither Hills, and is also running the Kepler Challenge 60km mountain run on December 5 and cycling the magnum section of the GrapeRide next year.

Despite not having contested a back country race quite like the Molesworth, Paschke is confident he will enjoy the experience. "They say `no pain no gain'. I'm sure it will be quite nice to drop into one of the hot pools at the end though."

While Paschke will be a race rookie there is plenty of experience in the solo field.

Race regulars Simon Clendon and Dan Greig from Auckland along with last year's runner-up, Australian Brent Harris, are expected to be leading contenders for individual honours.

Seven teams of two will line up with each runner completing a full marathon, while 49 four-person teams fill the most popular category. Marlborough teams are expected to do well in both the men's and women's section of the four-person relay.

The team of John Kennedy, Ian Thomas, Jeremy McKenzie and Billy Hebberd is favoured to be first into Hanmer Springs. Kennedy, Thomas and Hebberd have been part of the winning team the last two years.

Nicky Cameron Dunn, Anna Young, Willi Borst and Anna Eatherly look a strong women's combination.

The race starts at 8am for solo runners and 9am for teams.