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Katie Hodge Marks 30-Year Liver Transplant Anniversary with Kathmandu Coast to Coast Event

How would you celebrate 30 years since receiving a life-saving liver transplant? By lining up to tackle the iconic Kathmandu Coast to Coast, of course!

Meet Katie Hodge from Pikowai, near Whakatāne, who is doing just that, competing in this year’s 2 Day Individual category on February 9th and 10th. Born with biliary atresia, a liver disease, Katie's journey took her to Australia for a transplant just after her first birthday on April 1, 1994.

 

The significance of her medical journey deepened in 2008 when she spent half a year at Starship Children's Hospital in Auckland for bile duct reconstruction—a major surgery for a small individual. Amidst challenges, Katie encountered incredibly positive yet sick children and their families, forging a profound appreciation for the dedicated support from the doctors and nurses at Starship Children’s Hospital.

 

With several years of overseas adventures under her belt, Katie has chosen the gruelling Kathmandu Coast to Coast as the stage for her personal milestone. Her mission is clear: celebrate three decades of a new liver and inspire others to persevere through adversity.

 

For Katie, it's not just a challenging race; it's an embodiment of the Kiwi spirit. With its tough terrain, unique camaraderie, and iconic status in New Zealand's sporting landscape, the Kathmandu Coast to Coast encapsulates the ethos Katie wants to share. “I picked this event for a few reasons: It's hard, it's fun, and it's an iconic NZ race. There's a really cool ethos and community built around the event, and I'm excited to be part of it,” she says.

 

Inspired by the high level of care she received, Katie is giving back by raising money for Starship Children’s Hospital. “Starship became a beacon of hope during a challenging time in my life,” she says. “I felt extremely grateful for the support I received from the doctors and nurses at Starship, which is why I felt inspired to give back. It helped me in a very difficult time in my life.”

 

As she takes on this monumental challenge, Katie hopes her journey will encourage others to keep pushing, keep trying, and never give up—regardless of health or life challenges. "I never thought I would be one of the crazy ones doing it, but here I am," she adds.

 

You can support Katie with her fundraising journey by donating online at https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/transplant-birthday-celebrations. Download the Kathmandu Coast to Coast App to follow Katie on race day. Her race bib is #706.

Glen’s Picks for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast

By Hollie Woodhouse • 06 Feb, 2024
The media team don’t usually let me near the article and press release aspect of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast, and technically, at this time of the year, I should be revising the Health and Safety Plan and finalising operation issues. But one of the reasons I love this job and the event so much is due to the ‘Elite Category’. So, I’m going to pull rank and share my opinions on the race this year.

Against the Odds - Fourth time lucky for Elite Youth Campbell Gray

By Hollie Woodhouse • 28 Jan, 2024
Surviving a perilously close encounter with mortality, Campbell Gray, an inspirational 20-year-old from Jervoistown, Napier, is poised to leave his mark on the 2024 Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

International Flavour in this year’s Elite Women Showdown

By Hollie Woodhouse • 22 Jan, 2024
In what promises to be one of the most thrilling showdowns in recent history, the Kathmandu Coast to Coast anticipates an electrifying battle in the Women's Longest Day category.

Limb-it-less Shaz attempts to make history at the 2024 Kathmandu Coast to Coast

By Hollie Woodhouse • 22 Jan, 2024
In a remarkable display of resilience and determination, renowned amputee Shaz Dagg, also known as Limb-it-less Shaz, is attempting to make history as the first female amputee to complete the Kathmandu Coast to Coast as an individual. 

Kathmandu Coast to Coast Introduces Exciting New Category: Elite Youth

By Hollie Woodhouse • 15 Jan, 2024
In a strategic move to foster the next generation of multisport athletes, The Kathmandu Coast to Coast, New Zealand's iconic multisport event, proudly announces the introduction of the 'Elite Youth' division in the Two-Day individual race.

The Winning Smile

13 Dec, 2023
There’s almost a sort of “Hotel California” thing going with the Kathmandu Coast to Coast: “You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.” People get hooked, and they keep coming back, either working their way through the various events and age groups or targeting personal bests year by year. Two-time champion Kristina Anglem did manage to check out and for the most part, has left, but not before generating an awful lot of goodwill with fellow competitors, officials and general supporters. Competing initially under her maiden name, Kristina Strode Penny only raced the Coast to Coast on four occasions. Still, she certainly cast a long (warm) shadow over the race and ushered in a new younger group of women who would dominate the event in the years to come. Growing up in Wellington, Kristina’s initial sporting passion was gymnastics, but she retired at the ripe old age of 11. “After that, I always yearned to be out in nature. I would take myself off for walks or runs along the eastern walkway. Wellington is loaded with walkways.” Her two older brothers were keen on bashing about in the outdoors, and one arranged for a mountain bike for his sister. “I rode all the trails, and around the same time, I got into rock climbing and joined the Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club.” Helicopter parents in the new millennium would be horrified by the teenage Kristina’s next move into outdoor sports. “We lived by the sea and got given an old kayak – an old canvas thing that I laugh at now. I would take myself out into the bay and figure out how to roll, then off and yonder in the sea! Looking back at some of those things now as a parent, I’m glad my Mum didn’t have a clue what was going on! I’d paddle out to these rocks and come back – miss the Picton ferry by chance!”

Applications Now Open for the 2024 Kathmandu Coast to Coast School's Summit Academy

By Hollie Woodhouse • 28 Aug, 2023
Are you a high school student in New Zealand with a thirst for adventure and a love for the outdoors?

Podcast - S5 Ep 2 - Get set for the 2024 event

By Hollie Woodhouse • 03 Aug, 2023
In our second episode of Season 5 Richard Greer from TeamCP provides some key insights including how to best manage your bike, running and kayaking training six months out from race day, along with an event update from our Race Director Glen Currie. Plus, we have previous podcast guest Sophie Beaumont sharing tips and tricks for first-time athletes. Listen online here
Deception Hut

Kathmandu Coast to Coast auctions sold-out entry with all proceeds going to the Backcountry Trust

By Hollie Woodhouse • 09 Jul, 2023
The Kathmandu Coast to Coast, New Zealand’s iconic multisport event, recognises the invaluable role of New Zealand's Backcountry Huts in ensuring the enjoyment of all those who experience the wild places of Aotearoa.

Eleventh time lucky as Sam Manson powers to maiden victory

By Hollie Woodhouse • 11 Feb, 2023
There is persistence, and then there is the sort of persistence that netted Christchurch multisport athlete Sam Manson his first Coast to Coast Longest Day title at his 11th crack at the race.
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