History

1931	Relay first run, but on main road (State Highway 3) from Marton to Wanganui.
2002?	Course moved to the back roads between Marton and Wanganui (essentially the current course, but finishing almost on the banks of the Wanganui River at the bottom of Taylor Street.
2002	Solo option introduced, attracting 7 starters. Ashley Smith wins in a time of 6:05:42. Margaret Hazelwood sets the women's record of 6:15:02. Walkers start at the end of leg 2, making their event ~51km. Geoff Iremonger walks the walker's course in a time of 6:47:16.
2003	Albie Jane reduces the course record to 5:38:00. Walkers compete over the full course.
2004	Course changed, dropping down Okoia Road and finishing at Wanganui East Club.
2005	Course changed at Fordell, dropping down the gravel Matarawa Road to Okoia, but still finishing at Wanganui East Club. After an early tussle with Albie Jane, Kym Black gained a substantial lead and lowered the course record to 5:34:57. Andrew Shelley became the first person to walk the full 66km, setting a time of 8:23:10.
2006	Peter Baillie lowers the walk record to 7:55:20.
2007	Start location changed from the main road in Marton to Marton Park, Follet Street. The course change slightly lengthens the course, by perhaps 150m. Heading the largest field to date of 12, Tony Ahern sets new course record of 5:12:44. Graeme Butcher's second place time of 5:35:32 was fast enough to have won the race in four of the past five years.
2008	Andrew Shelley lowers the walk record to 7:49:31.
2010	Andrew Shelley lowers the walk record to 7:47:37.
2011	Brent Harris lowers the run record to 5:10:36.
2012	Andrew Shelley becomes the first person to achieve 10 finishes.
2013	Nicola Ayson is the first woman to win the race outright, with the second fastest women's time ever of 6:26:06. The 2007 record of 12 entrants is matched, but this time with a record women's field of 4.