For Josephine Tappenden and her classmates from Tai Poutini Polytechnic, the great outdoors has always been a passion — but entering a world-renowned expedition race felt like a distant dream. That changed this week, when the group of four students were awarded a $9000 sponsored team entry into the Pursuit category of One NZ GODZONE Chapter 12, thanks to a groundbreaking new initiative supported by Kathmandu Coast to Coast and the PURE ADVENTURE Charitable Trust.

“It’s something that none of us expected to ever get the chance to do because it seems like such a big event,” says Tappenden.  

“We’ve definitely come into it a bit blind.”

The team of four, competing under the name Coast to Coast, will head to Marlborough in late November to compete in the week-long race with the course currently still shrouded in mystery. The teams will only find out where they’re heading just before they set off but expect to cover in excess of 500km on foot, kayaks, pack rafts. 

18-year-old Tappenden is no stranger to multisport racing having won her age group in this year’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast two day category. 

However she admits adventure racing poses a completely different challenge for her and her teammates who are all studying towards a Certificate of Outdoor Education. 

“We’re training pretty hard but with the short notice we just want to survive the course.”

“We also want to come out of it still really good mates and have an amazing experience together, with something none of us ever expected to ever do.”

The decision to award the entry to the Tai Poutini students was an easy one for Kathmandu Coast to Coast race director Glen Currie. For years, the Polytechnic has played a vital behind-the-scenes role in the event, with students regularly volunteering as river safety marshals—a critical part of race operations.

“Mass endurance events such as the Kathmandu Coast to Coast and GODZONE rely heavily on volunteers for their success,” says Currie. 

“It’s great to support a team of students from the Polytech at this year’s GODZONE, and we look forward to watching them represent Coast to Coast on their Marlborough adventure.”

This opportunity is part of a new national initiative launched by the PURE ADVENTURE Charitable Trust to work alongside community-based races like Kathmandu Coast to Coast to create limited sponsored entries for some promising new teams—particularly those without previous expedition racing experience.

“One NZ GODZONE recognises the strength of New Zealand’s grassroots AR community,” says Rob Nichol, Trustee of PURE ADVENTURE. 

“This initiative is about honouring that foundation and supporting the next generation of racers, by offering real opportunities to those who otherwise might not have been in a position to take the step up and take on GODZONE.”



“This is more than just a sponsorship,” adds Nichol. “It’s a collaborative effort to grow the sport from the ground up — supporting people, building teams, and giving back to the community.”