Running over the Kepler Challenge gives Darryl Sycamore a great sense of perspective and pride.

The Otago Southland policy adviser for Federated Farmers, based in Dunedin, was recently re-appointed to the Guardians of Lakes Manapouri, Monowai and Te Anau (the Guardians), having already served on this government advisory body for five years.

Mr Sycamore studied Botany, Ecology and Zoology at Otago University, where Sir Alan Mark, a founding member of the Guardians was one of his lecturers, his role model and an inspiration to join the Guardians himself.

When he was first appointed, he made a promise to himself to run the Kepler Challenge every year that he was a Guardian.

"For me, it is one day each year that genuinely tests my mental resilience. The Kepler Challenge gives me a day to look at the catchment, the landform and vegetation sequences while thinking over my role with the Guardians. 

"It is quite introspective which allows time to think over the issues the Guardians are interested in. To stand on the ridgeline and see over each lake is a powerful and a stark reminder of how special Te Anau and Manapouri are to Southland."

He has a number of other off-road events, such as the Motatapu Off-road Marathon, under his belt, but considers his two runs on Mal Law's High Five-0 (50 mountain marathons in 50 consecutive days raising money for the Mental Health Foundation) to be his most memorable.

Although he lives and works in Dunedin, Mr Sycamore has strong links with Southland, where he has camped and tramped his way around most of it.

This year Mr Sycamore will be running his sixth Kepler Challenge, or, in his own words, "the best ultra-marathon in the country without doubt".

Finishing under 10 hours and surviving the day is all he aims for.

"As long as I am a Guardian my plan is to do the Kepler [Challenge] each year. So five down and only five more to go…"