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Day 1 wrap 2020 Kathmandu Coast to Coast
Tight tussle right to the day 1 finish line of the 2020 Kathmandu Coast to Coast
7-2-2020
The competitive spirit is alive and well in the men’s two-day individual category at the Kathmandu Coast to Coast with just two seconds separating first and second at the end of day one.
Christchurch’s Bevan Jones who lead for most of the Mountain Run stage was pipped at the Klondyke corner finish line by Marcus Woutersen, a dairy farmer from Cambridge.
“I had no idea he was on my tail,” said Jones, “so he must have had a strong 5k or so, I could kind of hear someone behind me for about the last 100 meters and then he literally passed me right on the finish line.” Jones added.
“I’m reasonably strong paddler so hopefully I can make us some more time on the river (tomorrow) and get in a group on the bike into Christchurch to set myself up for a podium finish”, Jones said at the finish.”
Woutersen finished in 4 hours 39 minutes and 41 seconds, with Matthew Clough holding third spot in 04:47:13.
In the women’s two-day individual event Hannah Lund holds a three-minute advantage over Trish Hastie with the pair coming home in 5 hours 18 minutes 51 and 05:22:11 respectively. Samatha Owels currently sits in third as well as leading the veteran women in 5:26:23.
Te Anau’s Devon Grant’s efforts to get to the start line paid off, wining the women’s Mountain Run stage in 3 hours 11 minutes 25.
‘We nearly didn’t make it because of the flooding (in Southland) but we got through in a convoy last night, so this is a good reward.”
Like the two-day racers, the Mountain run competitors also raced across the Plan B course due to the river levels in the Deception and Otira Rivers being too high to make a safe crossing for all competitors.
“I thought it was actually quite fun really. It was a bit steep coming up the viaduct, if anyone could run up there it would have been impressive because I had to walk but it was really nice because it was undulating and pretty rocky, there wasn’t anywhere near as much on the road as people were saying.”
Former All Black Cap Richie McCaw and teammate Rob Nicholl, who suffered through severe cramp sit in third in the men’s Tandem competition, 28 minutes behind Josh Harris and Dave Slater who lead the category in 05:06:40.
Ben Williams snuck in just under the 2-hour 30 minute mark to win the men’s Mountain Run, finishing 10 minutes ahead of second placed Rob Lord with a time of 2 hours 40 point 42.
Top Sport lead the three-person mixed team category after Daniel Jones cantered across the Plan B Mountain Course, which saw the competitors run alongside Highway 73 to Otira, over the Otira viaduct before ducking into the Bealey River. Jones set the fastest time of all competitors across the day, storming home in 2:14:51
Forest Wines lead the men’s three-person team, while the Girls Are On lead the women.
Greymouth High School lead the 3-person school category over Wakatipu High School, who are five minutes behind, but lead the mixed team section who are competing for the inaugural Sport Canterbury Trophy.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
