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39th Kathmandu Coast to Coast sold out in days
The Kathmandu Coast to Coast has experienced unprecedented demand for entries, with the 2021 event sold out just over a week after entries opened.
The waitlist is also now full for all categories of the 39th edition of New Zealand’s most iconic multisport event.
“It’s really humbling to have such great demand for entries, we work very hard to create an exceptional and unique experience for our competitors, support crews, and volunteers. Selling the event out in less than ten days is testament to the fact that we must be achieving our goal.” said Race Director Glen Currie.
“Our team is actually still buzzing from a really great event experience this year and to have such great interest in the next race already has just amplified those feelings,” Currie added.
Queenstown based Trojan Holding purchased the event in 2014 when entries were below 500 participants. However, a number of subtle changes such as additional categories, increased use of technology to broadcast the event, and a broadening of the target market saw the 2020 event sold out in April 2019 and a record one thousand and thirty-five athletes competing over February 7th and 8th 2020.
Mike Davies Director Trojan Holdings said “we’re extremely pleased of where the event is sitting now with double the entries, we had five years ago. It’s great to see people are re-connecting with it again. We’ve made some positive changes and now have a proven, solid event that we’re really proud of. A big thanks has to go to past race director Richard Usher and current race director Glen Currie for their efforts in making it such a success.”
The efforts of the event’s sponsor’s and media, including naming rights partner Kathmandu, have also helped reinvigorate the event as entries increase from both sides of the Tasman.
“We have some really great partners that share in our common goals to see New Zealanders and an increasing number of internationals enjoying the outdoors whilst also setting ambitious goals and achieving great outcomes,” Currie added.
“At Kathmandu we believe in making the outdoors accessible to everybody. We are proud to support the iconic Coast to Coast – to grow participation numbers and create a more diverse and inclusive starting line. The event has seen this with the rise of female participation and team entries growing every year to record numbers,” says Kathmandu Brand Manager Olivia Barclay.
Currie says that while there’s plenty of demand to potentially increase the total number of entries it’s very much a balancing act between ensuring all athletes have a great authentic experience, their safety is maintained, and minimising any environmental impacts. “We have a really good relationship with DoC who provide us with a concession to run across Goat Pass and will continue to work with them to best manage the numbers in the event.”
“It’s an amazing achievement to run, ride and kayak 243 kilometres from one side of the South Island to the other and we really want to ensure we’re around to continue to provide that opportunity for the next 39 years and beyond too.”
Entries remain available for the Mountain Run, which will open separately on September 1st . More details around this process will be communicated closer to the time. However, if 2020 is anything to go by the demand will remain high, with 2020 Mountain Run entries selling out in less than 10 minutes.
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.
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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!”
Are you a high school student in New Zealand with a thirst for adventure and a love for the outdoors?
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
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.
