In 2014 the Kawerau King of the Mountain will hold the 59th year of tackling what is renowned as one of the toughest mountain races in New Zealand.

The first race took place in 1955 the immediate year after the mill town of Kawerau laid its first foundations.

Runners from the 2012 King of the Mountain.

A simple bet made by a couple of locals as to who could be first up and down Putauaki (Mt Edgecumbe) laid down the first gauntlet with Jim Chadwick the first ever Kawerau King that year.

Since 1955 the race has seen copious challenge's eventuate with numerous elite sports athletes rising to the challenge, along with a plentiful quantity of ambitious mountain runners looking to crack their own goals.

Organisers say entries are now online with the early bird rates closing on October 1.

'In 2014 race participants can expect something quite different compared to recent years. The foothills of Putauaki have now taken on quite a different landscape due to recent forestry harvesting,” says a statement from organisers.

'There is presently an increase in activity of logging trucks which require any potential competitors to abide by the ‘Conditions of Training 2014'. To be eligible to train on Putauaki you must enter the race first before training.

'With plans from landowners Maori Investments Limited to develop the lower foothills into an arboretum over the coming years - a new era is upon Putauaki. A recent community planting day took place with stakeholders and local school children participating in establishing this new environment on Putauaki.”

What can runners expect to be different? The lower foothills have had much of the forestry plantation now removed.

'The once substantially canopy covered track is totally open and has an increased visibility that will no doubt offer substantial encouragement for the chase as runners hunt each other down, paving the way for an enhanced climax to the final downhill challenge before the finish line emerges.

'The new landscape change will certainly leave a feeling of a whole new race being experienced. Additionally, the views are dramatically different and will give a completely enhanced appreciation to the surrounding Eastern Bay of Plenty landscape.”

You can keep up to date with the race at the official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/KawerauKingOfTheMountain and the official website www.kaweraukingofthemountain.co.nz