When Alan Connolly first tackled the Kathmandu Coast to Coast more than 15 years ago, he never imagined it would spark a family tradition spanning decades. 

Today, six members of the Connolly family have crossed the South Island from Kumara Beach to New Brighton, proving that this race is as much about community and support as it is about endurance.

Krys Connolly remembers watching her husband crossing the finish line of the two-day event in 2005. She asked him: “do you think I could do this?” to which he replied: “there’s no way in hell.”

Challenge accepted.

The following year Krys was determined to compete in the two-day event.

With four young children, finding time to train was the hardest part, Krys says.  

“I got up at 2am to train so I was back in time for when the kids woke up to have their breakfast. It was tough but worth it,” she says.

Alan switched roles, this time to support crew, along with Krys’ parents. 

“Before the mountain run, I asked Al if he’d packed my marmite sandwiches. He said yes so I went on my way.”

About halfway through the run Krys turned to a fellow competitor, who happened to be a lawyer, and asked him to grab the sandwiches from her pack.

The sandwiches were nowhere to be found.

“I was beside myself. So, by the end of the run, I had the lawyer on board to help me with the divorce.”

But all was forgiven and the love for New Zealand’s toughest endurance race, and a fierce competitiveness, was eventually passed down to the next generation – the Connolly’s four sons: Sam (39), Jimi (32), Jac (27) and Flynn (26).

Flynn, Jimi and Sam joined their dad and signed up for the two-day event in 2020. 

The race was tight, but the youngest of the three, Flynn, edged out his dad by just two minutes, followed by Jimi and Sam. 

Krys took charge of the support crew. But for the boys’ partners who joined in on supporting, it was a steep learning curve, says Krys. 

“They were harder to train than the guys,” she joked. “But they got there in the end.”

In 2023, it was Jac’s turn to join his dad in the two-day event.

For the 2026 event on February 13-14, it will be Sam’s turn again to continue the family tradition, this time in a team.

Over the past 15 years, the Connolly family have collectively competed in seven Coast to Coast events.

They saw the event grow and transform into what it is today. 

Next year will mark 10 years of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast partnership.

The event has become a platform for all kinds of athletes, schools have participated, more women have signed up every year, and the diversity of competitors has grown.

“I used to think you had to look a certain way to do this race,” Krys says.

“But now? I’ve seen older women, younger kids, and I even ran alongside a blind man from Ireland. It’s incredible.”

And through it all, the support crews have been the unsung heroes, Krys says. 

“Being part of the support crew, you’re tired, excited, occasionally pissed off, and emotional, but you’re all there, huddled around the coffee cart, waiting.

Then you’re off to the next station, hopefully not forgetting anyone’s sandwiches!”