He's by far the most high profile athlete at GODZone, but Richie McCaw knows he's a novice among some of the world's best adventure racers.
His debut in the GODZone race is seen as a coup for the event, and for the sport as well.
"It will set another generation of racers to compete. You can't get a better talisman like Richie McCaw -- amazing," event organiser Warren Bates said.
The former All Blacks skipper has dropped 7kg to around the 100kg mark.
"I guess I had some concern about knees and joints and, touchwood, it feels the best it ever has, so far, so good," McCaw said.
However he expects to go to some dark places during the 530km race, that could take anywhere between five and seven days.
"Some of the things I've done previously, you go to tough places but you keep going -- and yes I have prepared myself for that," he said.
Much of his training has been with teammate and experienced racer Sarah Fairmaid.
"He's done very well and learnt quickly -- it's very much a 'learn as much as you can in three months' situation," Fairmaid laughed.
They will be raising money and awareness for Cure Kids -- and join 60 other teams from all over the world.
It is the fifth edition of the GODZone race -- and to illustrate just how tough it can be, last year less than a quarter of the field actually finished the race.
A lot of rain in the next day or so will only add to the challenge -- but organisers say there's no prospect of it delaying the start of the race at Kaiteriteri beach tomorrow at midday.
Newshub.