News

The originals return

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 04:33:45 GMT

1983 competitors line up again

More than 40 years after they stood on Kumara Beach for the Coast to Coast event in 1983, three of the 79 starters who took on the unknown challenge in that very first race will reunite on the West Coast this weekend for the 2026 Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

Alister Metherell, 67 from Christchurch, Rex Randell from, Julian Carne from Adelaide, will take part in the 44th edition of the race that has become part of their shared history.

The event has grown significantly since its pioneering days, now attracting world‑class athletes, everyday adventurers and thousands of supporters. Yet for these three men, the heart of the race remains the same: a gritty, uniquely Kiwi challenge from one coast of the South Island to the other.

Back in 1983, none of them quite knew what they were signing up for, Metherell said.

Multisport was still in its infancy, the course was raw, and the concept of racing from Kumara Beach to Sumner Beach was as wild as the rivers they would chase through the Southern Alps.

“In 83 we really had no idea what we were doing. I’d tramped Goat Pass once in high school, I’d never paddled the Waimak, and I doubt I’d ridden a bike 60 kilometres. It was all new but that was part of the excitement,” Metherell said.

For Metherell, the lure of returning is tied to his long history with the event. He raced the second and fourth editions in 1984 and 1986, competed in the first two Longest Day races in 1987 and 1988, and took on the 20th anniversary event in 2002. He also made a highly personal comeback in 2023, an achievement made even more significant given his recovery from a heart attack several years earlier.

The general feeling of the three men on the 2026 start line is equal parts celebration, nostalgia.

“Finding out Rex was doing it again was exciting, and then hearing yesterday that another guy from that first race, Julian, was coming was a real surprise. To think three of us from that first year are still stubborn enough to give it another go is pretty amazing,” Metherell said.

Metherell has stayed active in various ways over the decades, from orienteering and tramping to cycling and community sport.

The Kathmandu Coast to Coast they’ll race in 2026 is far more refined than the one they tackled in 1983. Back then, safety briefings were short, gear was basic, and most competitors simply hoped they’d make it to the other side.

Metherell had barely ridden 60km on a bike before entering the first event.

“Back then your support crew could literally drive alongside you handing bottles of water out the window. It was a completely different world.

“Coming back here and seeing familiar faces straight away just reminds me why I love this event. There’s a real sense of community around the Coast to Coast, it’s great to be part of it again,” Metherell said.

With more than 24,000 people having completed the Kathmandu Coast to Coast since it began, the appearance of original competitors is a significant moment for the event. Their presence will offer athletes and supporters a bridge across generations of multisport.

Event Director Glen Currie says having three original competitors back is one of the special storylines of the 44th edition.

“Having Alister, Rex, Julian and back on the start line is really special for the event. They were part of the Coast to Coast when it was still finding its feet and seeing them return more than 40 years later really shows the spirit that keeps this race alive

“I finally got it”

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 04:28:02 GMT

Rebecca claims her first longest day win

Rebecca Kingsford has won the women’s 2026 Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day, emerging victorious after a fierce battle with three fellow top female competitors.

The close battle with Hannah Lund, Deborah Lynch and Thea Taylor lasted almost 13 hours.

But despite multiple swims due to falling from her kayak and carrying injuries into the event, Kingsford surged in the second half of the race to claim the title.

Today marked Kingsford’s fifth Kathmandu Coast to Coast attempt, following a third‑place finish in 2023.

The 35‑year‑old Christchurch-based athlete arrived this year with a clear focus on climbing the podium.

She climbed to the top with a final time of 12:53:01.

Her trademark strength in the latter stages of the course once again proved decisive as she overtook Lund and pulled away over the final legs.

“Anything can happen in that second half of the race. I always seem to come on strong, and I did that today,” she said.

Kingsford praised her rivals acknowledging how hard‑fought the battle had been with Lund in particular.

“I thought Hannah was going to get it, she’s an amazing athlete.”

After managing injuries throughout her build‑up, Kingsford found her strength late in the day, storming through the final stages to claim the title. Despite a couple falls from the kayak, she held her nerve.

“I had a couple of swims and thought Hannah was probably going to get it, but when I saw her at Woodstock I knew I just had to put some time into her.”

As the reality of the achievement starts to settle, she summed up the moment simply:

“I f#$king did it. I finally got it.”

“It’ll take a moment to sink in, this one.”

Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day race director Glenn Currie said Rebecca Kingsford’s breakthrough victory was one of the toughest and most determined performances he’d witnessed on the course.

“To see Rebecca finally nail it on her fifth attempt is pretty special,” Currie said. “That women’s race was absolutely stacked — Hannah Lund, Deborah Lynch and Thea Taylor pushed each other all day, and it was on right to the back half of the course.”

Currie said Kingsford’s resilience defined the day, particularly after multiple kayak swims and managing injuries coming into the event.

“She had every reason to let it slip — a couple of swims, some tough moments early — but she just refused to let go of it. That’s what this race is about. Anything can happen in that second half, and Rebecca showed exactly why she’s so dangerous there.”

Hamish Elliott dominates Longest Day

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 04:24:29 GMT

"I'm just stoked to be here!"

Hamish Elliott has claimed a commanding victory in the 44th Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day, overcoming a fall out of his kayak to secure a decisive win in one of New Zealand’s toughest endurance events.

The 31-year-old athlete from Wanaka immediately took control during the first 55km cycle stage from Kumara to Aitkens in Arthurs pass.

He carried that momentum into the mountain run, establishing an even stronger lead early on the ascent to Goat Pass. By the top, he held approximately a 10‑minute advantage, creating significant separation from his closest rival, Sam Manson.

During the paddle down the Waimakariri River, Elliott experienced the only major challenge of his race when he fell out of his kayak. Despite the disruption, he recovered quickly and maintained his buffer, preventing the chasing pack from catching up.

“I just went through some rapids and had a momentary lapse of concentration. It probably made me pedal a bit harder because I knew I had lost a bit of time.”

From there, Elliott continued to build time. On the final cycle into Christchurch, he extended his lead to finish 20 minutes ahead of Manson.

“I promised myself I’d enjoy it for as long as possible and I literally did.

“I just kept checking in with myself and thinking, ‘this is awesome. This is living.

“I love getting out and into those uncomfortable and vulnerable positions. You learn a lot about yourself, it’s very character building.

“I’m just stoked to be here.”

Elliott’s final time was 11:10:04, an improvement on his last victory in 2024 by more than 10 minutes.

Race director Glen Currie described the performance as ‘world class’.

“To take control from the opening cycle, extend that lead over Goat Pass, recover from a swim in the Waimakariri River, and still finish with a 20-minute margin shows incredible composure and strength. That’s the mark of a true champion..”

“The Longest Day rewards resilience, and Hamish showed that in every discipline. Athletes like him, along with competitors such as Sam Manson and previous champion Alex Hunt, continue to raise the standard of this event. It was a special performance and one that will stand out in Coast to Coast history.”

Elliott’s 2026 triumph adds to a notable record at the iconic multisport classic and builds on several previous strong performances:

2024: Elliott claimed his first Longest Day title in his fourth attempt, finishing in 10 hours, 48 minutes and 53 seconds — an outstanding performance that marked his breakthrough win in the event.
2025: Entering the race as defending champion, Elliott led for much of the day but ultimately finished second , four minutes behind Australian Alex Hunt, after a hard-fought race across all three disciplines.

These results reflect both persistence and progression — from several attempts without a title, to Longest Day champion in 2024, runner-up in 2025, and a commanding victory in 2026 — establishing Elliott as one of the standout athletes in the history of the event.

Closest Two Day race in years

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 04:02:03 GMT

Sophie Shallard wins female title by 13 seconds

A dramatic showdown unfolded at the New Brighton on Saturday, where rising multisport talent Sophie Shallard stormed to victory in the prestigious two-day individual race — clinching the title by just 13 seconds over fellow Under-23 competitor Piper Cavangh.

Both athletes, entered in the U23 category, not only battled for age-group honours but ultimately stood together on the overall two-day individual podium after one of the closest finishes in recent event history.

Shallard’s comeback was nothing short of remarkable.

Piper Cavangh had dominated the opening day, leading the field after a rerouted run course across the Otira Viaduct and carrying a commanding seven-minute advantage into day two.

But the tide turned in the kayak.

“I didn’t see her until halfway through the gorge,” Shallard said. “I was surprised when I saw her because earlier I’d fallen out of my boat and thought I’d never catch her.”

Despite the setback, Shallard produced a composed and determined paddle through the Waimakariri Gorge, gradually reeling Cavangh in before making her decisive move.

“I actually didn’t think I’d get it back today but I had an alright paddle and overall felt really good.”

Once in front, there was no easing up.

“I just knew I had to hustle on that bike and go as hard as I could.”

Shallard held her narrow advantage all the way to the finish line at New Brighton, sealing victory by the slimmest of margins after two gruelling days of racing across the South Island.

The win was particularly impressive given the challenges she faced leading into the event.

“I probably sent it a bit hard in that first bike and run. I probably should have known better because I had tonsillitis last week so I’ve been on antibiotics — my tummy was not going good.

“I’ve learnt a lot about pacing.”

Those lessons were clearly applied on day two, particularly during what she described as the highlight of her race — the kayak stage.

“I actually really enjoyed myself. I paced myself quite well at the start. Then at the Red Bridge I sped up a bit and ended up feeling really good the whole time.”

In a race defined by resilience, strategy, and sheer determination, Shallard’s 13-second victory will be remembered as one of the great Two Day performances at the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

Christchurch veteran wins Mountain Run

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 01:07:17 GMT

Anna Cameron claims women's title

A calm mindset and smart strategy proved the winning formula for Anna Cameron who won her first ever Mountain Run at the Kathmandu Coast to Coast on Friday.

The 44-year-old Christchurch runner competed in the veteran category and ended up with a time of just under 3.5hrs after adapting to a late course change.

With weather forcing organisers to alter the traditional route over Goat Pass, competitors faced significant uncertainty with a B course that includes a lot more river bed running before heading up and over the Otira Viaduct in torrential downpours.

For Cameron, that unpredictability became part of the challenge.

“It was a huge unknown this year, especially with the changing course,” she said. “You never really know who you’re going to be racing or how it’s going to play out. I just put my head down and ran my own race.”

The revised course removed the usual benchmarks athletes rely on to measure pacing and progress.

“The organisers can’t help the weather. It’s about keeping everyone safe and making sure we still have a great day out. It just added a bit of a curveball into the mix.”

A key tactical section proved to be the viaduct, which looked barely runnable from a distance. Cameron adopted a measured run-one, walk-one strategy through the tougher terrain — a decision that paid dividends later in the race.

By focusing on effort rather than competitors, she steadily moved into contention before sealing the win in 3 hours and 24 minutes and 23 seconds.

“I just focused on running my own race, and to come away with the win — I’m absolutely stoked.”

Hamish Elliot takes early lead in Longest Day

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 21:00:38 GMT

Hannah Lund & Rebecca Kingsford out in front in women's race

The 44th Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day Elite race is underway after a 6:00am start from Kumara Beach, with athletes greeted by greeted by clear skies after yesterday’s weather bomb forced organisers to reroute the coure.

Pre-race favourite Hamish Elliot (Wanaka) has made an emphatic statement in the men’s race, producing a blistering first cycle stage with an unconfirmed time of 1:35:15 — one of the fastest times ever recorded.

Carrying that momentum into the mountain run, Elliot currently leads by approximately 10 minutes over the top, putting clear daylight between himself and his closest rivals.

Max Meffan (Nelson) crossed Goat Pass in second position and remains firmly in contention, while Dean Steward is running strongly in a close third as the leading trio descend toward the next transition.

In the women’s race, leaders Hannah Lund and Rebecca Kingsford are going stride for stride at the front, setting up an exciting head-to-head battle through the mountain stage. Just behind them, Thea Taylor holds third and remains well within striking distance.

Defending champion Deborah Lynch showed visible signs of fatigue coming off the cycle and is currently trailing the leaders by approximately eight minutes. With significant racing still to unfold, the women’s contest remains wide open.

The Longest Day Elite race is back on the original Plan A course today after organisers previously made the call to reroute athletes over the Otira Viaduct instead of Goat Pass following severe downpours that caused rivers to flood.

Race Director Glen Currie said the decision reflects improved conditions and athlete resilience.

“The safety of our competitors is our absolute priority, and I’m incredibly proud of how they adapted to some pretty wild conditions. If the forecast holds, tomorrow over Goat Pass will be classic Coast to Coast — challenging, spectacular and a real chance for the race to come alive.”

With record-setting pace at the front of the men’s field and the women’s leaders locked together stride for stride, the 2026 Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day Elite is shaping into a classic edition of New Zealand’s premier multisport race.

Torrential downpours for Day One

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 06:15:37 GMT

Two Day leaders emerge after a wet day of racing

Competitors in the 44th Kathmandu Coast to Coast were met with torrential downpours and testing conditions on day one, as a forecasted nor’wester forced organisers to implement a revised “Plan B” mountain run course across the Main Divide.

Following weather warnings earlier in the week, organisers enacted a contingency route to ensure athlete safety, which saw competitors run up and over the Otira Viaduct instead of over Goat Pass.

Despite the relentless rain, spirits remained high as athletes tackled swollen rivers, slippery trails and driving wind in one of the event’s most memorable opening days in recent years.

Mountain Run Titles Claimed in Testing Conditions

Men’s Mountain Run Winner – Luca Peters (Nelson)

Nelson’s Luca Peters powered through the revised mountain run to claim the men’s title, unfazed by the sodden terrain.

“I had been kind of doing a lot of hill training on the road so I was prepared for that course anyway,” Peters said.
“Looking at the weather forecast, I wasn’t too surprised.

“Yeah, I definitely had the right nutrition today and just feeling strong the whole way.”

Peters’ preparation paid off as he handled the altered course with composure and strength from start to finish.

Women’s Mountain Run Winner – Anna Cameron (Christchurch)

In the women’s field, 44-year-old Anna Cameron of Christchurch, competing in the female veterans category, claimed victory in her second time tackling the mountain run. Cameron previously placed third in her age group and drew on that experience to deliver a commanding performance.

“It’s a huge unknown especially with the change in course. You never know who you’re going to be racing against,” Cameron said.

“I knew I was going to do ok, so I just put the foot down.”

Her decisive approach proved the difference on a day when adaptability was key.

Two-Day Race Leaders Emerge

Individual Men’s Two-Day Leader – Dougal Shepherd (Christchurch, 23)

Twenty-three-year-old Dougal Shepherd leads the individual men’s two-day competition after embracing the revised course.

“It was actually a really fun B course, lots of time in the river,” Shepherd said. “I was a bit nervous that it was going to be a heap of road running but I’m stoked that I could use my technical skills.”

Shepherd noted the course adjustments may have shifted the balance slightly.

“It probably favoured the boys that were not from Christchurch. There was a crew of us who came down from Nelson so we were stoked that the run wasn’t up and over Goat Pass otherwise the locals would’ve had the advantage.”

“Coming into the river, straight away no one really came with me.

“My plan was just to stick with Jordan then kick from the back half but he wasn’t there so I took advantage of it and just went.”

His bold move in the river section established a crucial advantage heading into day two.

Wānaka’s Piper Cavanagh, 22, leads the women’s two-day field after a gritty and determined performance.

“The plan was to stick with the guys at the start but I couldn't quite hold on for the run so I just eased off and then got into the second bike bunch,” Cavanagh said.

Despite setbacks — including a broken shoelace and several gear issues in the lead-up — she remained composed.

“I broke my shoelace. But held on real good,” she said at Klondyke.

“I didn't think I'd lead day one but I'm so excited for the kayak. I'm so pumped. It’s been a hectic few days with a number of gear breakages.”

Cavanagh holds a 7 minute 2 second lead over Shallard heading into the final day and is relishing the opportunity to defend it on the river.

Race Director Glen Currie said the forecast suggests improving conditions overnight, allowing organisers to plan for the traditional route over Goat Pass for the longest day athletes tomorrow.

Currie expects the Waimakariri River to rise slightly from approximately 60 cumecs to around 90 cumecs following the heavy rain, potentially producing slightly faster paddle times.

“We always plan for every scenario, and while today wasn’t the course athletes originally expected, it was still a true Kathmandu Coast to Coast test,” Currie said.

After a dramatic and rain-soaked opening, competitors now turn their focus to what promises to be a decisive and fast-moving final day across the Southern Alps.

Weather bomb forces course change

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 04:36:42 GMT

Two day competitors to run Otira Viaduct

A major weather bomb bearing down on the South Island has forced organisers of the 44th Kathmandu Coast to Coast to activate an alternative mountain run route for the two-day event — marking just the sixth course change in the race’s 44-year history.

With heavy rain and high river flows forecast to impact the Southern Alps and Arthur’s Pass region, officials have confirmed the iconic Goat Pass crossing will be replaced with a challenging highway and trail-based alternative, re-routing competitors up and over the Otira Viaduct.

Race Director Glen Currie said the decision was not taken lightly, but conditions across the alpine section did not meet safety requirements.

“Unfortunately tomorrow that hasn’t met our requirements in terms of putting people over the Southern Alps. So, we are going to the next Plan B, which requires athletes to run over the viaduct tomorrow in the two-day Coast to Coast. The nature of the Coast to Coast is that we actually pass over the Southern Alps of New Zealand.”

Under the contingency plan, the 31 km mountain run will follow the farm track from Aickens to Deception Footbridge as per the traditional route. From there, instead of heading into Deception Valley and over Goat Pass, competitors will turn onto State Highway 73, running from Deception Footbridge to the Lake Misery Track entrance.

Athletes will then enter Lake Misery Track, link onto the Dobson Nature Track, cross at Jack’s Hut, and follow the Bridal Veil Track to the Devils Punchbowl footbridge. After crossing, they will skirt the northern side of Arthur’s Pass township, cross via the Rough Creek pedestrian bridge, and then rejoin State Highway 73 through to Klondyke Corner.

The re-route takes competitors up and over the exposed Otira Viaduct before descending toward the Klondyke transition area — presenting a different, but no less demanding, alpine challenge.

Despite the late course change, the elite fields promise a compelling battle on Saturday’s longest day race.

Quietly confident: Deb Lynch aims to defend title

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 01:24:50 GMT

Lynch aiming for a measured approach on Saturday

Quietly confident in her abilities, defending women’s Longest Day champion Deborah Lynch heads into this weekend’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast as the favourite, aiming to repeat her victory from last year.

In 2025, the Porirua athlete broke through on her third attempt at the grueling 243-kilometre race, finishing in just over 13hrs and fending off five-time defending champion Simone Maier.

“I was not letting up the whole way,” Lynch reflected on her maiden win, recalling the relentless effort required to maintain her lead.

After two consecutive sixth-place finishes in previous years, she called last year’s triumph “amazing” and admitted the reality of her victory didn’t sink in until she crossed the finish line.

The build-up to this year hasn’t been without challenges.

“I had a few moments over summer when some sessions weren't going as well I would have liked and I just spent a lot of time comparing myself to where I was last year. I really had to work hard at not thinking about that and just go through the process and not thinking about the outcome the entire time,” she said.

Despite having a target on her back as the defending champion, Lynch embraces the role.

“It’s a bit terrifying but it also it’s a real privilege as well. I might not have that opportunity again to be the defending champion so I’m learning to live with it and lean into it.”

Her quiet confidence stems from her preparation and versatility across all disciplines.

“I know I’ve got the strengths across all of the disciplines so I just have to trust that they will all come to play on Saturday,” she said.

Her plan is to take a measured approach throughout the day, pacing herself carefully and seeing what energy remains for the final bike leg.

Learning from last year, she will stick to a liquid diet to avoid the problems she faced following the mountain run when vomited most of her solid fuel.

“Racing for 13 hours is pretty hard to replicate in training. I just thought maybe some solids would be a nice change to the liquid diet. Losing everything halfway through the day was kind of confronting,” Lynch said.

Since last year’s Longest Day, Lynch has kept a busy racing calendar, placing second at the Challenge Wanaka half ironman just a week after her breakthrough, winning the Wellington Crazyman multisport event, and competing in Wulong in China with her teammates, finishing second.

As she lines up for this year’s Longest Day, Lynch remains composed and focused, ready to defend her title with the same quiet determination that has defined her rise in New Zealand multisport.

Another Lynch at the front of the race

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 21:13:54 GMT

2025 open mens champ Aaron Lynch stepping up to Elite field

After just two starts at the Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day, Aaron Lynch has already forced his way into the conversation at the very top of the sport. The 31-year-old water engineer is stepping up to the elite field for the first time this Saturday after back-to-back breakthrough performances.

Lynch’s rise through New Zealand multisport has been fast and largely self-driven. He made his Longest’s Day debut in 2024, finishing third in the open mens race, before backing it up in 2025 with a win in the Open Men’s Longest Day — results that earned him a place among the sport’s top-tier competitors.

This year marks a new chapter. For the first time in his racing career, Lynch has enlisted a coach, teaming up with fellow elite competitor Sam Manson.

“He knows a thing or two about multisport,” Lynch says.

“It’s a bit of an adjustment having some accountability. It also takes a bit of the guesswork out of it.”

After more than a decade competing in triathlon, Lynch admits his earlier Kathmandu Coast to Coast performances were built more on instinct than structure.

“This is the first time I’ve worked with a coach, so it’s the first time having a really structured approach to the race — the last couple of times I’ve just been winging it on my own.”

Lynch’s move into multisport was heavily influenced by family, following in the wake of his sister Deborah Lynch, the 2025 Longest Day champion.

“My sister Deb and my dad had started kayaking a bit. She’d bought her sprinter and I took it out from the beach one day. I thought, yeah, I could get into kayaking.”

From there, the hook was set.

“I just got into doing long missions and paddling and multisport just happened.”

Despite his results, Lynch remains grounded — and candid — about the challenge ahead. Being ranked second among seasoned elites came as a surprise, especially given his relative lack of experience at the sharp end of the field.

“The last time I came in not really knowing anything and then kicking around with these guys on the first bike, thinking ‘oh yeah, I kind of hang around with these fellas’ — but then we started running and they all buggered off.”

He’s acutely aware that many of his competitors bring a decade or more of multisport knowledge.

“Knowing that these guys have ten years’ experience on me — they know what can go wrong, how to deal with it. So it’s still a learning phase for me.”

As for race strategy, Lynch isn’t overcomplicating things.

“My race plan is to just go as hard as I can without blowing. It’s not really nuanced.”

Ranked second, coached for the first time, and racing elite, one thing is clear: Aaron Lynch’s learning phase is happening at the very front of the race.

Fiona Dowling returns with fresh mindset

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:59:41 GMT

After a year off racing, Dowling is back for her 10th Longest Day

For Fiona Dowling, lining up at the Kathmandu Coast to Coast never really feels routine. Each year brings something different, and this weekend’s Longest Day Elite race is no exception.

Ranked third heading into the event, Dowling returns with plenty of experience behind her — but also a refreshed mindset and a willingness to simply see how the day unfolds.

After a demanding 2024 season that included health challenges, Dowling deliberately eased back and did not compete in 2025, allowing herself a longer reset than usual.

“I just needed to pull back a bit and not worry about the training quite as much,” she said. “It was good to step back and have a more relaxed summer.”

This year, she has taken a new approach to preparation, opting to largely self-coach.

“Having more ownership over my program has been better,” Dowling said. “It’s easier to adapt and change if I need to, and mentally I felt ready for that.”

Rather than focusing on placings, Dowling is approaching this weekend with a process-driven mindset.

“I’m not really thinking about it as a race,” she said. “I’m just trying to focus on my prep and line up to have another crack at the course.”

Balancing elite racing with self-employment has meant Dowling competes selectively, motivated by the challenge of the course itself.

“I don’t do a lot of racing outside of Cost anymore, so for me it’s about being motivated by the course itself rather than the race.”

Dowling says part of what keeps drawing her back to the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is the constant opportunity to learn and improve.

Each race leaves her reflecting on small details she’d like to adjust or areas she’s keen to develop — a mindset she says is hard to switch off as an athlete.

“I usually finish each race wanting to work on something else or refine something,” she said. “There’s always something that intrigues me or gets me excited about trying a different approach next time.”

After a hard-fought third place in 2024, she knows exactly what the race can demand.

“I remember it being extra hard work to crawl my way into third,” she said.

“It took a lot out of me — so whether that exhausts what I’ve got left in the tank this year or not, who knows?”

Brownlie eyes longest day top 5

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 18:05:18 GMT

2026 will be Lachie Brownlie's 11th consecutive Kathmandu Coast to Coast

Lachie Brownlie heads into this weekend’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast ranked third favourite, but the experienced multisporter is far more focused on execution than expectation as he lines up for his 11th consecutive Coast to Coast.

Brownlie first tackled event at just 19 years old and remains a familiar presence at the front of the field.

His standout performance came in 2019, when he won the Two Day Individual outright in 12:41:15, leading through multiple disciplines to secure victory over Harry Llewellyn and Sam Bell.

Since then, he has continued to challenge himself in the Longest Day format, including a top-10 elite finish in 2025.

After a difficult race last year, Brownlie has adjusted his preparation with a renewed focus on nutrition, hydration and sodium intake.

“I had a rough day out there — I was puking a lot and wasn’t particularly well going into it,” he said. “I hadn’t quite figured it out and couldn’t really hold anything down. I was just pretty happy to get to the finish line.”

Despite his high ranking, Brownlie is keeping expectations grounded.

“I’m not too worried about the rankings — I’d just be happy to crack the top five,” he said.

“My goal is to do my own race and pace. Potentially the back half of the race will be my strength.”

From 2006 Debut to 21st Start

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:24:31 GMT

Elina Ussher Still in the Fight

Lining up for her 21st Kathmandu Coast to Coast, Elina Ussher remains one of the most experienced and respected athletes in the field.

Currently ranked fourth heading into this weekend’s race, the 49-year-old Kiwi icon comes into the event after a disrupted build-up, following a cycle crash in early November that left her with a shoulder injury, concussion, and a damaged time-trial bike.

“It was a bit of a shock at first. I thought I broke my collarbone,” Ussher said. “I really started my build-up mid-December.”

Despite the setback, Coast to Coast is familiar territory for Ussher, who first raced the iconic multisport event in 2006, just four months after arriving in New Zealand. Competing at the time as an adventure racer with international experience, she stunned the field with a second-place finish.

“Yeah, I remember 2006 and I think I was, yeah… pretty freaked out and scared,” she recalls.

Since then, Ussher has built an extraordinary legacy, claiming four Longest Day titles in 2010, 2012, 2016, and 2017, and becoming a mainstay of the race for two decades.

As one of the most seasoned competitors in this year’s women’s field, Ussher knows patience will be key.

“I think I just have to take it slower at the start and really listen to my body. I’m aware that my competition is going to be 20–25 years younger than me, so those girls will get away from me from the start. But yeah, I just do what I can.”

For Ussher, the allure of Coast to Coast has never faded.

“It’s the biggest multisport race in New Zealand and probably in the whole world. It’s an amazing race course and a great challenge. I think for most people, it’s something to do once in their lifetime — it’s a huge personal challenge to your skills, your performance, and your ability to keep going for a long time.”

Sam King amongst elite company

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 02:55:32 GMT

2025 Mens Two-day champion now up against seasoned elites

Rising Christchurch multisport athlete Sam King will line up for his first Elite Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day, entering the iconic race ranked 4th overall and marking a major milestone in a career built on steady progression, patience, and deep family ties to the event.

King’s Coast to Coast journey began in 2021, when he made his debut in the Two Day Individual, finishing 4th in the Open Men’s category. Since then, his results have followed a clear upward trajectory:

2023 – 3rd place
2024 – 2nd place
2025 – 1st place, achieving a long-held personal goal of winning the Two Day event

“One of my biggest life goals was to try to win the two day event,” says King. “To finally do that last year was huge.”

That victory now sees King stepping up to the Longest Day format and into the unknown.

“I guess my weakness is that I haven't done the longest day, so I don't know what it's going to be like,” he admits.

“The period from Mt White to the Red Iron Bridge is going to be the biggest unknown, then I feel I will come into my strength in the second half of the paddle and through to New Brighton.”

Despite the challenges ahead, King says his preparation has put him in the best place of his career.

“I'm in my best mental and physical state that I've been in ever, so now I’m just really excited to get on course.”

In terms of race strategy, King isn’t getting too carried away with the unfamiliar demands of 11 - 12hrs of racing weighing heavy.

“The fastest time that I can do on the day is all I can do. It’s such a long day that you can’t really race it against other competitors — I’ve just got to race my own race, and if that’s enough, that’s going to be enough.”

“I want to be in the race right from the start and don’t want to give too much away in the run.”

Being ranked 4th among an elite field initially came as a shock.

“It’s pretty overwhelming. When I searched the numbers and saw where I was ranked, I had a terrible week of training thinking, ‘I don’t think I’m there, I don’t think I can do it.’”

“Since then it’s actually given me a bit more motivation to go that extra mile and trust in the process — that I’ve been ranked there for a reason.”

King will be racing against seasoned champions, including athletes who have been competing at the top level for nearly twice as long.

“With the utmost respect to the likes of Sam (Manson) and Hamish (Elliott), it takes years and years of motivation to get across the course like they do — but I’m up for the challenge.”

For King, the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is about far more than race day itself. It’s the sense of community that builds over months of training, shared missions, and time spent on the course — moments he says are “just as cool as the race itself.”

The event has become a gathering point for family and friends as much as a sporting challenge, something woven into the rhythm of his life.

“My dad and uncle have done it combined about 25 times so it was the family holiday for every year of my life."

“The whole community around the event is pretty special,” he says. “There’s so much family involvement, and it’s something our whole extended family genuinely looks forward to every year.”

It’s that combination of challenge, connection, and shared experience that continues to draw King back — and makes the Kathmandu Coast to Coast unlike any other race.

Sam Manson back racing in 'surprising' form

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 22:00:52 GMT

Ranked 5th, the 2023 champion returns

Former Longest Day Champion Sam Manson is set to return to the Kumara beach start line on Saturday ranked 5th favourite to take the win.

Manson last competed in 2024 before taking a year off and being part of the event media crew last year.

Despite briefly questioning whether he would return for another competitive race, his love of the sport won through — and he has surprised himself by regaining the running form that saw him post his fastest Goat Pass time in 2019.

Manson first tackled the Longest Day back in 2013, finishing 9th overall, and has been a fixture in the top ranks ever since, consistently remaining in the top 10.

Over the years, he has had standout performances, including runner-up in 2019 and another strong 2nd-place finish in 2021 against Dougal Allan. After finally winning the Longest Day in 2023 in his 11th attempt.

Not just a phenomenal racer, Sam is also a seasoned outdoors guide and coach, giving back to the multisport community and helping others chase their own racing dreams.

“I wasn’t sure if I would return for a competitive race after my 2023 win, but my love of the sport prevailed,” Manson says. “My main focus this season has been on my running.

I will still take each stage as it comes and be prepared for anything. It’s a huge course where anything can happen. I certainly won’t be mucking around and will be digging deep to the end, as always.”

With a proven record, a tactical mind, and enduring love for the sport, Sam Manson arrives at the start line ready to tackle every stage — a true veteran, champion, and inspiration for the multisport community.

Two-Day Champion Emily Trevail steps up to Longest Day

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 21:42:43 GMT

Rising star ranked 5th in debut one day elite race

Emily Trevail arrives at this weekend’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day ranked 5th, taking on the iconic Longest Day elite race for the first time after a carefully built rise through the two-day race ranks.

Trevail first lined up in the Two-Day Individual race in 2021, finishing 36th — a starting point that launched a multi-year learning curve across the run, bike, and kayak disciplines.

By 2024, she had climbed into the top 10, finishing 8th, before delivering a breakthrough performance in 2025, where she claimed the Two-Day Individual women’s title.

Stepping up to the Longest Day brings a new level of expectation, but Trevail is embracing it with perspective.

“There’s that pressure that comes with it. I’ve been told by a few people that pressure is a privilege,” she says.

“I’m trying not to let the pressure get to me of being up there alongside those names, but this year is my first crack. So it’s really about learning. I’m going out to learn, see how it goes, and test things out.”

Despite her relaxed approach to next weekend’s race, Trevail’s recent form betrays her serious potential, winning last year’s Challenge Wānaka Multi Open Women’s title with a finish 10 minutes faster than Kathmandu Coast to Coast veterans Simone Maier and Elina Ussher on a weather-adjusted course (cancelled kayak stage).

Despite the growing results and ranking, enjoyment remains central to how she approaches racing.

“My whole race plan for Saturday is to enjoy it. I have absolutely loved every single other Coast to Coast that I’ve done,” she explains. “I went into last year not aiming for the win, but knowing it was a potential outcome. The goal was to have fun and enjoy every moment — and that’s the theme again this year.”

Among the race’s most iconic sections, one stands out as a personal favourite. “Goat’s Pass is my favourite section,” Trevail says. “That’s the bit that I know, love, and feel really happy about.”

Once someone who avoided running altogether, Emily Trevail now steps onto the Longest Day start line as a proven two-day champion — grounded, curious, and ready to discover what’s possible across one of endurance sport’s toughest single days.

How would you spend your 25th wedding anniversary?

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:25:29 GMT

US couple travelling halfway around the world to compete as tandem team

Most couples celebrate 25 years of marriage with gifts, a dinner, or a quiet getaway.

Kristen and Alexis Frederick-Frost from Maryland, USA, have chosen something a little different: travelling 14,000 km to New Zealand to compete in the iconic Kathmandu Coast to Coast, their first-ever endurance race.

The couple will compete in the two‑day event as a tandem, staying together for every stage of the 243 km event. Which is set to take place on 13 ^th and 14 ^th of February.

“We wanted to be together on Valentine’s Day. Not on opposite sides of a mountain.”

The pair first discovered the Kathmandu Coast to Coast while visiting Aotearoa for their 15th wedding anniversary.

A decade later, they’re returning to honour a promise they made to each other: “One day, we’ll come back and do that race.”

But the journey to the start line has been far from straightforward.

Just a few months into their training, Alexis suffered a serious cycling accident, breaking his collarbone in multiple places and requiring a titanium plate.

“It was a pretty bad break. For a while, I couldn’t run, couldn’t train, I basically just sat in a chair and waited for my bones to heal. We genuinely didn’t know if I’d be able to race at all,” Alexis said.

Kristen continued training while Alexis recovered, supported by their local whitewater kayaking community.

“Kristen did everything. She found people to paddle with so she could keep learning. It turned a negative situation into something positive for her, but we really didn’t know if we’d be able to do the race together.”

Alexis was only cleared to complete his mandatory river certification a few weeks before the water became too cold.

“It was right down to the wire, but we always wanted to do this as a team,” Kristen said.

Although their family and friends can’t support them from the sidelines in New Zealand, the couple say they’ll be carrying them through the race.

“Everyone back home has contributed something. A rain jacket, rain pants, gear that we’ll have with us in our packs. It feels like we’re carrying our family with us through the mountains and river.

“We kept it quiet for a while, but once we finally told people what we were doing, the support was amazing.”

Because they live just outside Washington D.C., training for the rugged Goat Pass terrain hasn’t been easy.

“We don’t have anything like that here. We’ve done a lot of trail running along the Potomac River, but nothing close to what we’ll see on race day”, Alexis said.

The kayaking section is both the part they’re most nervous about and most excited for.

“We've spent the year learning whitewater paddling. It’s opened up a whole part of our environment we’d never really explored before,” Kristen said.

Alongside the race, the trip marks a milestone anniversary and a chance to revisit the country they fell in love with ten years ago.

“New Zealand is our happy place. We’ve travelled a lot, but Aotearoa is special. We’ve been looking forward to coming back for years,” Kristen said.

As for their secret to 25 successful years together?

“Open communication, and finding new ways to have fun together,” said Kristen.

“And if you’re going to bet on something, bet on yourselves” added Alexis.

Kristen and Alexis are not the only ones celebrating a milestone at this year’s event. February 2026 will celebrate ten years of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast collaboration, a partnership that has played a key role in transforming the event.

Hamish Elliot returns after 2025 mishap

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 18:22:21 GMT

What went wrong for the former champion in last year?

The Kathmandu Coast to Coast is set for another thrilling showdown as top-ranked

mens elite athlete Hamish Elliot returns to the start line, determined to reclaim the

iconic title after a single mistake cost him last year’s race.

Wanaka-based Elliot claimed his maiden victory in the 2024 Longest Day, stopping

the clock at an outstanding 10 hours, 48 minutes, and 53 seconds.

However he failed to repeat that performance last year where he finished a hardfought second place behind Australian Alex Hunt after a challenging day with a critical mishap.

Early in the race, Elliot suffered a fall at the first river crossing, injuring his knee and

losing a soft flask with 200 grams of carbohydrates.

The accident left him with just 90 grams of carbohydrates to fuel the final three-hour

run across the Southern Alps.

“I knew I’d be rationing my nutrition while knowing it would be nowhere near

enough to keep me fuelled,” said Elliot.

While he managed to maintain his lead throughout the first half of the day, Elliot’s

race began to unravel during the gruelling 70km kayak stage down the Waimakariri

river.

“I hit a wall just before Hamiltons Rapid and I thought I was out of the race - no

power whatsoever. Cocoa Cola was my only hope but even trying to sip it down on a

very empty energy system wasn’t doing much. To be honest it got tough. I was

completely empty.”

It was a humbling lesson for Elliot but one he seems to have learned from with an

impressive set of recent race results including:

1st – Twizel Hard Labour

1st – Challenge Wanaka Multisport Race

1st – Mission Mt Somers Half Marathon, new course record

3rd overall - Clutha Classic Kayak race, 1st open mens

In terms of strategy for this year’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast, Elliot is remaining

tight-lipped but admits the mountain run will be his opportunity to make his move - a

stage where he has historically dominated.

“I don't give too much away about people can probably read it. I’ll go out pretty hard

on the run see if anyone comes with me.”

Race Director Glen Currie says while Hamish Elliot is the favourite to win the 2026

Kathmandu Coast to Coast longest day, the men’s elite race is far from a foregone

conclusion.

“Although it was awesome to see Alex Hunt win the 2025 event after a number of

years chasing this dream, the stand out performance in the mens field for me was

Hamish Elliot, backing up his win in the 2024 event with another top performance,

displayed that he truely is etching his name as one of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast

greats.”

Elliot appears confident despite the clear target of the top ranking on his back.

“You are expected to perform when you're ranked in that top 3 so yeah it's exciting,”

he said.

“I like the pressure and I like the expectation. I thrive on that and it grows me as an

athlete and person."

When queried what keeps him returning to the Kathmandu Coast to Coast despite

already reaching the top once, Elliot’s response reveals a telling insight into his

driven nature.

“What keeps me coming back to Coast? I guess it’s just the self-discipline and

continually putting myself in those uncomfortable, vulnerable positions.

I guess it’s just a sort of a growth mindset as an athlete and I need to expose yourself to that as

much as you can.”

From rookie to title contender:

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 03:40:44 GMT

Hannah Lund’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast rise

Hannah Lund’s journey to becoming one of the leading contenders for the 2026 Kathmandu Coast to Coast women’s Longest Day title has been anything but conventional — and that’s exactly what makes it compelling.

Now 32, Lund is ranked second heading into the iconic multisport race, a position built on grit, consistency, and a rapid learning curve since her debut just a few years ago. Originally from Dannevirke and now based in Methven, she has quietly developed into one of the most formidable all-rounders in New Zealand multisport.

Lund first lined up at the Kathmandu Coast to Coast in 2019 at just 26 years old, tackling the Two Day event with minimal expectations — and minimal gear.

“I had zero expectations,” she recalls. “I walked away from it thinking, wow, maybe I could be quite good at this.”

Underprepared by her own admission, Lund finished an impressive third.

“I was pretty clueless, pretty rookie,” she said. “I bought a boat for $200 and borrowed the rest of the kayak gear from friends.”

She repeated that third-place Two Day finish in 2020, before making the jump to the Longest Day — a move that would fast-track her into the elite ranks of the sport.

In 2022, Lund announced herself on the biggest stage, winning the women’s open category in the Longest Day and finishing fifth overall.

The following seasons only reinforced her credentials: fourth in the elite women’s race in 2023, and second in 2024.

Her comments after the 2024 race summed up her gratitude and perspective.

“I feel like I’ve won,” she said. “Second is amazing.”

That grounded approach extends to her training philosophy.

“To have a good day you’ve got to be pretty strong across each discipline. You have to aim to have no weakness,” Lund explains. “I pour most of my effort into the run and kayak.”

The results speak for themselves. In the lead-up to the 2026 season, Lund has delivered a string of standout performances: wins at the Rakaia Salmon Run, Mission Mt Somers Half Marathon, Valley Ultra Half, and the Feel The Burn 20km trail run, alongside a third-place finish in the open women’s field at the Waimakariri Classic, behind winner Rebecca Kingsford.

“It’s exciting to put into practice everything you’ve learnt from prior races,” she says. “Not just for race day, but for the preparation and the lead-up.”

In the 2024 event Lund enlisted specialist endurance coach James Roderick who has previously coached Braden Currie to a number of victories in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast This meant she left no stone unturned and she has again done this for the 2026 event.

Race director Glen Currie said Lund now has the experience and knowledge to be considered a serious contender for the top spot.

“To win the Kathmandu Coast to Coast you can't afford to have a weak discipline, Hannah seems to have nailed this proving that she is super strong over all three disciplines now,” said Currie.

Multisport has been part of Lund’s life for as long as she can remember. Growing up in Dannevirke, she watched her parents compete in the Akitio Challenge — a formative experience that planted the seed for Coast to Coast dreams.

“That’s where I learnt about Coast to Coast, because the big hitters often used it as a training run,” she says. “Way back when I was little, it ignited this idea.”

Still, the dream simmered quietly until later in life.

“It wasn’t until I finished vet school that I thought, maybe I could give it a go.”

Now, five Kathmandu Coast to Coast campaigns later, Hannah Lund is no longer just “giving it a go.” She’s a genuine title threat — and one of the most consistent performers the race has seen in recent years.

With her sights firmly set on improvement — and ultimately the top step — Lund isn’t shying away from the challenge ahead. “I’m here to do better than I have before,” she says. “It’s an awesome line-up, but I’m here to give it my very best.”

Mountain Run finally after 15 years of pain

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 20:11:59 GMT

Life-threatening back surgery gives Nelson Mum a fresh start

Lying still in bed for days, unable to pick up her children and missing work for weeks at a time, that’s what Paula Carter’s life looked like for 15 years.

The 43-year-old struggled with chronic back pain for years in what she believes was triggered by a session with an inexperienced student physiotherapist.

Carter recalls asking her children to put her socks on and tie her shoes for her, as the pain when she bent down was unbearable.

But this February, her children will watch her cross the finish line of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast Mountain Run, after she won the Out There Rewards Member Coast to Coast Pass Competition.

It was a long journey to get there for the Nelson mother, who battled years of excruciating back pain.

Carter was pregnant with her first child when she was 23 and was referred to a physiotherapist in training after experiencing back pain.

“She just bent me until I cried. I thought to myself, ‘oh god, that hurt,’ but you trust that they know what they’re doing,” Carter said.

That appointment was the beginning of 15 years of “being broken” as her back progressively got worse.

Between her L4 and L5 vertebrae, scar tissue formed around the disc, pressing constantly on her spinal nerves. There was no pattern to when her back would give out.

She might wake up one morning unable to move, or bend wrong while picking something up.

Carter had to give up her hobby of running. Every year, she would have at least three weeks off work on ACC and struggled with the everyday tasks of motherhood.

"I'd have to tell my kids, 'I'm so sorry, I can't pick you up'. Even as they got older, I'd have to ask them, can you please put my socks on? Can you please tie my shoes? I can’t bend,” Carter said through tears.

"I went to countless physios, specialists, doctors, chiropractors, and even an acupuncturist, but they all told me there was nothing that could be done. I'd walk out in tears," Carter said.

After seven years, Carter’s disc ruptured while she was gardening at home.

She lay in the grass in agonising pain, before an ambulance whisked her away to Nelson Hospital.

“I thought that something would finally be done about my back after rupturing my disc, that finally someone would give me a solution,” Carter said.

Instead, she was discharged that afternoon and told to take Panadol.

Carter lived with a ruptured disc for another seven years.

When she was 38, a new physiotherapist in Nelson finally pushed for an MRI, but surgeons reviewed the images and said there was nothing they could do.

She must manage this pain for the rest of her life, and she would never run again.

“I just cried. I thought, what are my 60s going to look like? My 70s? I’d already spent my 20s and 30s being broken.”

But the new physiotherapist pushed for a second opinion with a specialist in Christchurch.

“I'd given up at that point, I was living off Panadol and crossing my fingers,” Carter said.

The Christchurch surgeon took one look at her scans and said she was the perfect candidate for disc replacement surgery.

But it came with risks. The surgery might not work or could result in paralysis or death.

"For 15 years, I'd dealt with this debilitating pain. I had to take this chance. I had to grab at this little piece of hope," Carter said.

"I wasn't expecting a miracle. I was just hoping for something slightly better, so I signed the waiver and went in for surgery.”

On July 9, 2021, surgeons replaced Carter’s destroyed disc with a prosthetic and she woke up a different person.

"I haven't had a single ounce of back pain since that day. Not one bit. It has been an absolute miracle,” Carter said.

She's lost some flexibility and core strength but can now bounce on the trampoline with her nieces, bend down without pain, and run.

“I was nervous to start running again, but it doesn’t hurt. I’m running like any other person. It still blows my mind,” Carter said.

She's completed several half marathons now. She and her husband run events together, he's faster, but runs at her pace, cheering her on.

In February this year, Carter was the support crew for her husband as he completed the two-day Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

“I watched all the runners coming off Goats Pass and thought they looked like normal people,” Carter laughed.

“Most people think Kathmandu Coast to Coast competitors are elite athletes, but they looked like me. I thought that was inspiring. Maybe one day I'll be good enough to do that."

Her husband didn’t hesitate to tell her she already was and encouraged her to sign up for the run section of the 2026 race.

Carter entered the ballot but ended up on the waitlist. Then she saw the Kathmandu Out There Rewards Member Coast to Coast Pass Competition and thought, why not?

“I cried when I got the email saying I’d won. I was ugly crying,” Carter said through tears.

“I know I’m not going to smash any records. But I know that I’ll be able to complete it and that for me, will be my biggest achievement.”

Carter will receive a Kathmandu Coast to Coast Mountain Race Pass, a $1,000 Kathmandu gift voucher, a camping spot at Klondyke, a race day outfit and a race kit as her prize.

A family tradition

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 03:31:05 GMT

One family's 15 year journey with Kathmandu Coast to Coast

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!”

Darfield High awarded Kathmandu Academy

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 02:29:31 GMT

Young athletes keen for the ‘hurt locker’ in first Kathmandu Coast to Coast

Three young athletes from Darfield High School are diving headfirst into training as they prepare to take on the legendary Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

The trio will be one of the youngest teams to compete, with mountain runner Seth Vargo just meeting the minimum age requirement of 14 on race day. His teammates Hayden Maultsaid and William Thrower will be 15.

The teens, who met through school and have played sports together, will compete as a team in the Two Day event after claiming the Kathmandu Academy prize.

Launched in 2015, the Kathmandu Academy aims to support young multisport athletes by providing expert guidance and essential gear to help them complete the Coast to Coast.

The boys have received complimentary entry into the sold-out event, $1000 worth of Kathmandu gear, a free camping spot at the Kumara Racecourse for team members and support crew, and a Barracuda kayak for their school.

They will also get free coaching and mentoring to help them prepare for the race.

Seth admitted feeling nervous about the river crossings, but was excited for the rest of the run, which reminded him of hunting trips with his dad.

“I told dad I wanted to go in the hurt locker. He’s completed a few Coast to Coasts and won his category last year. He told me that the run is a very big hurt locker,” Seth said, referencing the point of a run where everything starts to feel brutally hard, both physically and mentally.

Hayden, the biker of the group, is quietly confident in his biking ability but still has some nerves about the race.

“I’m looking forward to the race, it will be a great challenge for us, and I'm glad I get to do it with my mates so we can support each other through it.”

Kayaker William Thrower has spent lots of time on the water and has completed his grade 2 certificate in the sport.

“I’m feeling really good about my section of the race, I’ve been doing heaps of training. My friends and I work well together so I think we can go pretty far,” William said.

Race Director Glen Currie said the initiative continues to open doors for young competitors, eager to give the race a go.

“Encouraging youth participation has been a key focus for us. Thanks to our partners, we’re able to make this event more accessible to the next generation,” Currie said.

“It’s inspiring to see young athletes stepping up and discovering a passion for multisport.”

Darfield School Principal Andy England said the school has had teams in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast since 2021, but this is the first time they will have the support of the Kathmandu Academy.

“We’re absolutely rapt at the opportunities that come with this sponsorship, and we’re excited to see the potential impact of the support and coaching from the Kathmandu Academy on our young athletes,” England said.

“This is a great opportunity to learn from the best in the sport. We really appreciate the support around supplying gear because we’re not a school that’s flush with money to throw at these kinds of things. It will make a huge difference for our current and future students to be able to use that high-quality gear.”

Coast to Coast team to take on GODZONE

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 18:17:05 GMT

Polytech students score last min sponsored adventure race entry

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.”

10yrs of Kathmandu & Coast to Coast

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 23:07:28 GMT

A decade of partnership

February 2026 will mark a major milestone: ten years of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast, a collaboration that has helped transform the event.

Both born in Christchurch in the 80s, Kathmandu and Coast to Coast have helped shape how Kiwis experience the outdoors for almost 40 years.

“Enabled by our partnership with Kathmandu, we helped shift the perception of Australasia’s most iconic multisport event from a gritty, elite-only challenge to an adventure that welcomes first-timers, students, families, and seasoned athletes alike,” says Race Director Glen Currie.

“Together, we’re enabling adventure, making it more accessible, inclusive, and inspiring.”

Kathmandu has now re-signed its partnership for another three years, extending through to 2028.

In this next chapter, the spotlight will widen beyond competitors to include the often-unsung heroes of the event: supporters, whānau, and fans, says Kathmandu’s Chief Executive, Megan Welch.

“While there are 1,500 athletes competing, there are more than 5,000 people involved in the event and without them, it wouldn’t happen.

“We want to deepen our connection with this broader community through new initiatives like supporter-focused gear, on-the-ground experiences, and storytelling that celebrates the people who make the journey possible.

“It’s a commitment to not just the race, but the entire ecosystem of adventure that surrounds it,” Welch says.

The Coast to Coast event gained popularity in the late 80s with its rugged “Southern hard man” image, targeting seasoned outdoor professional and extreme endurance athletes.

But in 2016, a new partnership with Kathmandu brought a culture shift.

The event became a platform for all kinds of athletes, those chasing podiums, those chasing personal goals and those simply chasing more time outdoors.

Someone who’s witnessed that transformation firsthand is 49-year-old Elina Ussher.

After 20 years of back-to-back Coast to Coast races, she’s preparing for her 21st in February.

“When I first started, it felt like the race was built for the toughest of the tough – seasoned athletes,” says Ussher, a four-time Longest Day winner.

“Now, I look around and see young people, more women, and first-timers lining up with just as much determination.

It’s amazing to see how far the event has come, and I’m proud to have been part of that journey.”

Kathmandu has highlighted everyday adventurers who never saw themselves as athletes but found they were up for the challenge.

One of those adventurers is Ian Martella from Marlborough.

After retiring from rugby, the now 52-year-old was searching for a new challenge.

Watching others cross the Coast to Coast finish line sparked a thought: “If they can do it, why can’t I?”

Inspired by his father’s love of kayaking, Martella borrowed a boat and signed up for the two- day event with a mate.

That first race lit a fire, and what started as a one-off challenge quickly became a way of life.

He’s now completed 13 Coast to Coast events, including several Longest Days.

“I never saw myself as an athlete. A regional rugby player in the forward pack, yes, but I’m not the small guy you’d picture running up mountains."

“Doing the Kathmandu Coast to Coast changed that. There are elite athletes, then there’s your everyday people training hard to achieve something great for themselves."

Kathmandu’s support has extended beyond branding. Its gear and operational initiatives have elevated the event’s professionalism and amplified visibility, especially internationally.

“The Kathmandu Coast to Coast isn’t just about race day, it’s the final chapter in a year of adventure. Coast to Coast gives people the platform to chase something big, and Kathmandu helps make that journey possible every step of the way,” says Currie.

As the partnership enters its second decade, Kathmandu is proud to continue backing the event for another three years, Welch says.

“This event reflects everything we stand for: community, challenge, and connection to the outdoors. It’s not just about elite performance; it’s about giving every Kiwi the chance to be part of something bigger.”

TradeMe charity auction winner

struan@earlybirdmedia.co.nz (Struan Purdie) — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 00:20:29 GMT

Taupiri Couple to tackle Kathmandu Coast to Coast after winning sold-out entry for charity

Taupiri-based adventurer Shane Riley has won a coveted sold-out entry into the 2026 Kathmandu Coast to Coast, thanks to a special Trade Me charity auction raising funds for the Backcountry Trust.

The winning bid secures Riley a place in the iconic multisport event—and marks the beginning of a new chapter, as he and his wife Vicky will take on the race together in February for the first time as a two-day tandem team.

Shane and Vicky, both 50, are longtime fans of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast, having each competed before—Vicky twice, and Shane once. But 2026 will be their first time racing side by side, making this entry win particularly meaningful.

“We’ve both done it solo, but taking it on together as a team brings a whole new sense of purpose and excitement,” says Shane.

“We love a good challenge—and sharing this one makes it even better.”

Demand for the event has sky rocketed in recent years with organisers forced to introduce a ballot system for entries which have constantly sold out within a matter of hours over the last several years.

“We were 181 on the waitlist and it started to feel like the chances of getting through were getting a bit slim,” says Riley.

“As soon the auction went live, everyone in my training group was pinging me the link and egging me on.”

The proceeds from Shane’s winning bid will go to the Backcountry Trust, which restores and maintains remote huts and tracks across Aotearoa.

Race director Glen Currie says the idea for the auction came about after he met a group of volunteers working on the Mingha Biv in Arthers Pass National Park.

“It was cold and drizzly and I had a cup of tea with the guys doing the work who described how they are volunteers and their role with BCT, for the rest of the trip down the Mingha Valley I was left brainstorming how we cans support the trust,” says Currie.

“Since then the trust have updated the Deception Valley hut and are currently working on Goat Pass hut. They do an amazing job!”

It’s a sentiment shared by Riley who has followed the the Trust’s works for a while now.

“Their dedication to maintaining huts and tracks in some seriously remote places is incredible,” says Riley.

“They make it possible for people like us to keep exploring and connecting with the land safely. They preserve the stories and the mana of the outdoors. Without them, a lot of these wild places would become inaccessible—or worse, forgotten.”

As regular trail runners and members of “The Coasters,” a 34-strong group of Waikato-based Kathmandu Coast to Coast athletes, the Rileys live and breathe the outdoors.

Their home in Taupiri puts them within easy reach of the bush and mountains, with the Central Plateau—and favourite stop Mangaturuturu Hut—always calling.

Looking ahead to 2026, the couple are not only preparing for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast but also planning a pack-rafting adventure through the Hollyford.

Whether on foot, bike, or water, the common thread is clear: a love for wild places, and a deep respect for the people and organisations who help protect them.

Deborah Lynch wins maiden Longest Day title

struan@earlybirdmedia.co.nz (Struan Purdie) — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 10:11:16 GMT

After two consecutive years of 6th place finishes, Deb Lynch finally secures win

Deborah Lynch has emerged as the new elite women’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day champion.

In her third attempt at the event, the Porirua athlete fended off five-time defending champion Simone Maier to win the 243-kilometre stage race in 13hr, 6 min and 11 seconds. Maier crossed the finish line in Christchurch’s New Brighton four minutes later.

Lynch was third favourite to win with consecutive sixth place finishes in the last two years.

She emerged off the 30.5km mountain run three minutes ahead of Maier then maintained her lead for the rest of the race, even extending it during the first half of the 70-kilometre kayak through the Waimakariri Gorge.

Summing up her stunning win, Lynch says it’s amazing to finish the top of the podium third-time lucky. “I was not letting up the whole way,” she says of her efforts.

Lynch admits feeling unsure about how close behind Maier was.

“Even on that last stretch along the boulevard, I was like, ‘She could come’, so… I was redlining the whole way.

“I spent my entire day not trying to get ahead of myself and stay in the moment… I didn’t believe [I’d won] until I crossed that finish line.

“Honestly, it’s yet to sink in.”

For Maier, a historic sixth victory evades her in what she says is her last elite Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

“It was fantastic,” Maier says post-race.

“It’s second place but I wanted to race, and I did say whoever beats me deserves it and, today, Debbie had an amazing race.”

Meanwhile, about a quarter of an hour back from Lynch, two-decade Kathmandu Coast to Coast veteran Elina Ussher secured the final spot on the podium – one better than her place last year.

Summing up an exhilarating event, Race Director Glen Currie says: “Debs’ win in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast Women's Longest Day is a testament to her talent and perseverance.

“Facing off against a field of world-class athletes, she has clearly shown what it takes to be a champion.”

First Australian win in 32 years

struan@earlybirdmedia.co.nz (Struan Purdie) — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 10:01:37 GMT

Longest day champ Alex Hunt breaks 3 decade drought for the Aussies

Alex Hunt has made history this afternoon becoming the first Australian since 1993 to win Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day multisport race.

The Tasmanian crossed the line 4 minutes ahead of defending champion Hamish Elliot with a time of 11 hours, 29 minutes and 20 second.

“I still can’t believe it, I’m just in shock. It’s going to take a moment to sink in.”

Hunt trailed Elliot for much of the race and made his move half way into the 70km kayak stage on the Waimakariri River, emerging with a two minute lead going onto the final cycle leg.

The 33-year-old is no stranger to the iconic race having competed six times previously and coming an agonisingly close second place last year where he missed out on the win by just three minutes.

“It wasn’t an immediate decision to come back, that’s for sure! I’d told myself and my family that it was going to be the last one, but Maggie my partner was supportive and keen for me to go again.”

The civil engineer from Hobart threw everything at it this year, relocating to New Zealand in early January with his partner and 2-year-old daughter to dedicate six weeks specifically to training on the 243km course.

“We’ve done close to 20 trips to Arthurs Pass this year to train on the mountain run and Maggie’s driven and looked after our daughter every day. She’s amazing.”

Race director Glen Currie said Hunt’s dedication over the last several years has been incredible to watch in a race that requires so much to win.

“To have a serious chance at winning the Longest Day, realistically you’re putting in 25-30hrs of training per week,” said Currie.

The Kathmandu Coast to Coast is a difficult race for Kiwis to win with the course right in their backyard to train on. For overseas competitors, the odds are already stacked against them from the beginning.”

It’s a sentiment hunt quickly agreed this afternoon.

It’s a tough gig coming from Australia to this race. I don’t think some people appreciate how hard it is.”

The last Australian to win the Kathmandu Coast to Coast was Melbourne’s John Jacoby in 1993 with a time of just over 11hrs.

Jacoby said Hunt’s win was incredibly well deserved.

“So good to see another Aussie win this famous race. It’s been a 32 year drought but he did it.”

Trevail & King maintain lead to secure victory

struan@earlybirdmedia.co.nz (Struan Purdie) — Sat, 08 Feb 2025 09:50:35 GMT

Two Day Individual: 3rd time lucky for Emily Trevail, Sam King marks birthday in style

Persistence has paid off Britain’s Emily Trevail, who’s bagged her maiden Kathmandu Coast to Coast two-day title.

In her third attempt to finish at the top of the podium, Trevail held onto the top spot after arriving first at the halfway point at Clondyke Corner on day one.

“I’m so happy, there are not really words to describe it,” Trevail says. “It’s pretty cool, isn’t it?”

The win tastes even sweeter for Trevail after an 8th-place finish last year, a few years after her two-day individual debut in 2021 where she placed 36 ^th .

“If you told me that time [in 2021] that I’d win it in a few years, I probably would’ve laughed at you,” she admits.

In the men’s two-day individual, birthday boy Sam King was unfazed by predicted challenging low river levels and arrived at Christchurch’s New Brighton in 11:57:49.

The now-24-year-old says the race couldn’t have gone better.

“I’m feeling awesome,” King says.

“I had two perfect days; the river was awesome.

“Everything had flattened out and there wasn’t a lot of power, and a lot of the technical features were manageable… I enjoyed it.”

It was King’s fifth time competing in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast in what appears to be a family affair. His dad and uncle have also competed a combined 35 times.

“It’s been a long summer building up for this,” King concludes on a stunning night at New Brighton Beach. “[I’ll] take some time to enjoy it and see what happens.”

Sub 3.5hr mountain run victory

struan@earlybirdmedia.co.nz (Struan Purdie) — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 05:17:39 GMT

Wellington's David Haunschmidt claims his first win

Wellington’s David Haunschmidt made light work of Goat Pass in the mountain run race at Kathmandu Coast to Coast 2025.

This morning brought near-perfect weather for more than 50 trail-runners, despite lower-than-normal river levels.

The first to reach Clondyke Corner, Haunschmidt finished the run in 03:27:02. He was followed across the finish line by Sam King, the leader of the two-day individual competition.

Haunschmidt picked up multisport when he moved to New Zealand from Scotland in 2016 and “never looked back”.

The 36-year-old is happy with his efforts despite some minor falls.

But those falls and a few pre-race nerves did not faze the 36-year-old. Haunschmidt was the first mountain runner home by a substantial margin, with former Highlanders’ rugby player Alex Ainley (03:52:36) finishing second.

And, even more impressive, this was Haunschmidt’s first attempt at Goat Pass.

“I was a bit nervous because everyone tells me, ‘You need to know the routes and the lines’ – so I made a few mistakes crossing the river, but I made it so that’s what it’s all about,” he says.

“You’re just rock hopping, looking ahead trying to navigate which side is best – so I love that kind of stuff, it just really challenges you.”

And his success today already has him mulling his next moves.

“Maybe, in the future, we’ll do the full Coast to Coast – I need to learn how to kayak,” he jokes.

“Next week, I’ve got Shotover Moonlights Marathon in Queenstown, so I’ve got a bit of a rest.”

In the women’s mountain run, junior Sarah Reeve impressed – taking the top spot with 04:39:53. Coming in second was Alannah McLean with 05:10:55.

Emma Bone rounded out the top three women, finishing just short of half an hour behind McLean.

Two Day Individual race report

struan@earlybirdmedia.co.nz (Struan Purdie) — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 00:51:15 GMT

Emily Trevail & Sam King take early lead

Sam King has surged ahead on the opening day of the two-day individual open category at the 2025 Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

Competing in humid conditions, King finished in 4:57:14.

That gives him a three-minute advantage over under-23 elite Jordan Sutherland heading into day two.

“It was hot and muggy and sticky, but I had a good first ride,” King says. “I worked on my transition well; I think I made Goat Pass pretty well, I wanted to get out of sight, out of mind.”

Rounding out the top three men was under-23 elite Alexis Migounoff with a time of 05:18:38.

The women's two-day event is also highly competitive, with Emily Trevail clocking in at 05:34:50.

Courtney Hawke (05:55:39) arrived at Klondyke Corner second and Louise Darwin (06:01:14) third.

They are among the 700 athletes participating in the two-day events, embarking on a 55-kilometre bike ride from Kūmara Beach on the South Island's West Coast to Aickens Corner.

There, they swapped their cycling cleats for off-road shoes – traversing the Otira River, ascending the Deception Valley and crossing Goat Pass, covering 30.5km to reach Klondyke Corner.

Looking ahead to tomorrow, the first two-day wave leaves at 7am from Klondyke, riding 15.5km to Mt White before kayaking 70km and finishing with a 69.5km bike from the Waimakariri River Gorge Bridge to Christchurch’s New Brighton.

The Longest Day competitors begin their race at 6am from Kumara Beach.

Ready, set, go...

struan@earlybirdmedia.co.nz (Struan Purdie) — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 08:05:32 GMT

Excitement peaks as final preparations for 2025 Kathmandu Coast to Coast conclude

Excitement is building as preparations for this weekend’s 2025 Kathmandu Coast to Coast reach their completion.

This iconic multisport event, on Friday and Saturday, promises to deliver another unforgettable experience for athletes and spectators alike.

It’s anticipated there will be some thrilling battles this year and the finishing order could surprise people on race day.

On Saturday morning, Wānaka-based Hamish Elliott will start at Kūmara Beach as the number one seed.

The 30-year-old has raced the Kathmandu Coast to Coast seven times and claimed his first win in 2024 – finishing in 10:48:53.

In addition to his Kathmandu Coast to Coast success, Elliot won the 2025 Clutha Classic River race and last year’s Challenge Wānaka. He also placed third in China’s 2024 Wulong Mountain Quest multisport race.

Looking at the women’s longest-day field, Simone Maier is no stranger to the podium.

Donning the coveted no.1 bib, she’s back to chase history and become the first woman to win six titles.

Maier is joined in the top 3 by Elina Ussher – taking part in her 20 ^th Kathmandu Coast to Coast – and Deborah Lynch, who competed in the race in 2023 and last year. She placed 6 ^th in both of those efforts.

“Simone is going for another win which is super exciting, and I know she’s going to be as strong as ever,” says Coast to Coast veteran Sam Manson.

“I know it’s going to be good racing… There are going to be some tight times along the way.”

Another athlete to keep tabs on is men’s third-seed Sam Clark, who first raced the Coast to Coast 15 years ago.

“It’s going to be exciting to watch,” adds Manson.

“He brings a lot to the game and he’ll be hard to beat, but we know a couple of the other guys have put a heap of work in too,” Manson says of Clark.

Tasmania’s Alex Hunt rounds out the top three in the men’s. He’s raced the Kathmandu Coast to Coast five times, claiming 3rd in 2023 and 2nd last year where he crossed the line just three minutes behind Elliot.

Hunt won the 2019 and last year’s Wulong Mountain Quest in China with team Topsport and took top honours in the 2023 Red Bull Defiance with his brother Robbie.

Chasing history

struan@earlybirdmedia.co.nz (Struan Purdie) — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 23:07:57 GMT

Simone Maier's journey to become the first woman to win 6x titles

Without question, Simone Maier right now is the Queen of the Coast to Coast. Like so many before her, solving the riddle of how to piece together the perfect performance to win the Longest Day took a bit of trial and error, as well as some heartbreak thrown in along the way too.

After winning her first title in 2019, a DNF in 2020 again threw in a few questions marks, but since 2021, the Wanaka based mutlisport machine has been unbeatable.

With her 45th birthday coming shortly after race day, years of hard racing are starting to catch up with the veteran.

Supporters will need to get roadside to show their appreciation on race day to cheer Maier home in what will be her final Longest Day.

“The body is at a point where it’s fun but it’s not fun ! It’s such a big commitment and it’s getting harder and harder. It’s a bit emotional but I think it’s time.”

Dealing with injuries has been a big focus for Simone Maier this campaign, and she admits even making it to the start line will be a challenge.

“Ive go this ticking time bomb in my body and it might just all blow apart . But I don’t want to die wondering.”

The early stages of Arthritis are now a frustration for Maier with inflamed Bursitis and fractures under her toes making mountain running extremely uncomfortable.

“On my MRI it looks horrible and my Doctor said my pain will be my ultimate guide.”

Maier concedes that she won’t be the only one going into the race with injury issues, and she’s using her battles as another motivator to try and get the job done.

“I really don’t want people to make a big drama out of it. I will be as ready as I can be. Like everybody else I’ve done the training. I want to win it one more time but if not, I’ve given it my best shot”.

Level with the great Kathy Lynch on five titles, the opportunity is there for the German to secure the outright lead for the most titles held by a woman. (Steve Gurney has nine men’s titles).

Maier isn’t obsessed with with grabbing the record, but admits that it is still a bit of a motivating factor.

“To be ahead of Kath Lynch ? Hmm- I dunno. I just like to try and do something no one has done before. If my body can hold up- why not ? “

The enjoyment of racing is a bigger factor for the former Ironman competitor.

“I do really enjoy doing what I’m doing, otherwise I would’ve probably stopped a long time ago. I really have a passion for the sport.

I love being fit and I love pushing boundaries. It’s also nice to lead by example to show other women, or other humans, that no matter what age you are, you can do quite well and achieve great things.”

The 2024 race featured arguably the deepest women’s field for several years, and Maier admits that last year’s victory was probably her most satisfying.

“It wasn’t perfect because my drink system in the boat wasn’t working. But overall, the body and the mind just all clicked together. I did a few mistakes in the run and then finally I decided to just trust myself.

You don’t have to follow people, just follow your heart. When I turned off the voices in my head, it just all came together”.

While it was all coming together for Simone, her Tracker failed during the kayak stage with many left thinking she had withdrawn, but to the relief of her support crew, she emerged unstoppable at the Waimakariri Gorge Bridge.

“I had no idea what was going on with the other competitors around me. I was just locked in my zone.”

What’s become apparent in recent years is that as others start to waver, the five times champion gets stronger. If Simone Maier isn’t in from at Mount White Bridge, it won’t be long until she hit’s the lead, and that lead will only increase on the final bike to New Brighton.

“It’s not even a strategy. It’s all I can do- I’m a diesel engine. Some of the younger competitors are a bit springier with more fast twitch fibre muscles, but not me.

It’s just such a long day and you have to play your cards right. It’s the same for me in Adventure Racing.”

Whatever the outcome in this year’s Longest Day, Maier has established herself as one of the great champions of the race and she deserves a big send off.

Her fierce determination and big enthusiastic laugh will be missed by everyone in the event in the years ahead.

So for the Queen, Simone Maier, she’ll be hoping that it’s again a case of “Send Her Victorious, Happy and Glorious”, for one final time (a record sixth time !). Even with a few broken bits, it’s hard to bet against her !

Cool under pressure

struan@earlybirdmedia.co.nz (Struan Purdie) — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 22:59:35 GMT

Defending champion Hamish Elliot shaking off the target on his back

You could be forgiven for feeling a hint of extra anxiety if you’re carrying a bigger than usual target on your back. While conditions so often dictate overall race times, Hamish Elliott’s 10.48.53 scorcher in his maiden Longest Day victory last year is right up there with the very best.

Throw in a sub eleven hour performance from runner-up Tasmanian Alex Hunt along with a strong third place finish from Ironman Ben Phillips, the 2024 mens’ race was one for the ages.

Elliott’s impressive victory has spotlighted that target on his back, but with another solid year of training and racing combined with a chilled mental outlook, he heads into the 2025 race with a healthy outlook.

“My approach and mentality stays the same. Just putting my best performance forward is all I’m worried about and I guess that’s a very positive way of approaching it rather than trying to beat splits or anything. That sort of relays into all of my training”.

The Wanaka flier has been the most light of foot over the mountain run in recent years, but the looming shadow brought by the return of four times champion Sam Clark means he may not get it all his own way over Goat Pass this time around.

Of the leading contenders, the pair have historically shown that they’re capable of breaking the three hour barrier, potentially giving them a jump on the field at Klondyke Corner.

“Yeah I’ve been thinking a bit on how I can beat Sam and where I’ll get time on him. I’ll aim to push the run pretty hard, but I have tripped up in the past trying to drop other athletes and not focusing on myself. I’m happy with my kayak and my cycling has improved, but the run is where the first move will be made !”

Elliott’s improved effort in the boat last year kept the chasers at bay and he believes he can still go better on the water.

“I paddled well but there were still holes in it. I had issues with my drink system and I had to stop and fix that. I also made a little mistake right at the start, but at the moment, I’m feeling like my paddling is about where it was this time last year so hopefully I can still build on that.”

The good news for the defending champion, is that he is injury free, healthy and his body is absorbing the training load. Perhaps his biggest asset, is his mental approach.

“The target and the expectation excites me. It used to sort of fold me and hinder my performance but now I’ve been able to flip that mentally. Now I just thrive on that expectation and pressure.”

Elliot admits to having nothing but respect for the other guys around him, and says the key will be in consistently nailing all the small details throughout the day.

“To turn up and be capable of winning it, it’s going to take a pretty good day with no mistakes and an honest performance.”

Those words pretty much describe Hamish Elliott’s 2024 win. He’ll be hoping it’s a case of rinse and repeat in 2025.

Striving to five

struan@earlybirdmedia.co.nz (Struan Purdie) — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 22:56:28 GMT

Sam Clark opens up on his decision to return to the Longest Day

The rumours would circulate most summers. People would see Sam Clark’s Strava details and note the time spent running over Goat Pass or paddling down the Waimakariri, assuming that he was going to be a late entry into the Kathmandu Coast to Coast’s Longest Day.

The reality was, the four times champion was spending time on the course working as a guide to help others fulfil their race aspirations and dreams. But this time, as was confirmed in early December, it’s for real.

“This time I’m planning to get to Christchurch a couple of weeks out from the race. Get over the mountain and down the river a few times just to refresh the course. I’ve spent so many summers in that part of the world, it shouldn’t take too much to bring me back up to speed.”

The 34 year old had an impressive 2024, racing in the likes of China and at the last ever Motu Challenge where he was first to the finish. He says he’s in good form and in good health.

“I thought: bugger it. Why not just chuck my name in the ring again and see what happens ?”

Clark’s return has created a real buzz around the men’s race, with many other competitors very quick to tag him again as their race favourite. His abilities across all three disciplines has always made him a standout.

Riding down the great Braden Currie on South Eyre Road on the way to his second victory in 2017, or his regular sub three hour journeys over Goat Pass are just a couple of examples from the massive body of evidence underlining his credentials.

That’s without even mentioning his strength on river !

“Over the past three years I’ve been doing a lot of cycling- riding bikes almost exclusively (eg Tour of Southland).

I’ve expected that performance to drop a wee bit now that I’m splitting myself over three sports, but it hasn’t dropped too much. If I’ve got any advantage, I think it’s that I’m enjoying all three sports.”

Last year’s runner-up Alex Hunt set a stage record on the cycle to New Brighton Beach, in a ferocious battle with winner Hamish Elliott and the third placed Ironman Ben Phillips.

Throwing Sam Clark into that mix sets up an intriguing battle as they try to ride each others legs off!

Clark says after his break from the Longest Day, it feels like a bit more fun now. In past campaigns, the plotting an planning has been quite draining.

“Doing it year after year, particularly from the North Island, or Tasmania like Alex Hunt is, it’s quite hard yakka. It’s not the event itself that’s difficult- it’s everything around it. Getting organised, the logistical side of things is what I find to be the most challenging to manage.”

Every year throws up a different scenario with the unpredictability of weather and course conditions over the Motu.

Last year’s men’s and women’s races were absolute top shelf.

With four of the top five men’s finishers back on the start line for 2025, and a mentally refreshed Sam Clark casting his long shadow over the field, get ready for another epic weekend !

Tweaking For Perfection

struan@earlybirdmedia.co.nz (Struan Purdie) — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 22:23:05 GMT

Deborah Lynch aiming for podium finish

Preparing for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is one of life’s great juggling acts. First of all there are the three race disciplines that are all crying out for love and attention as you build towards your race, and that’s before you even begin to think about all the logistics you and your crew have to sort before the event.

Porirua’s Deborah Lynch has ramped things up another notch heading into this year’s Longest Day. Her buildup has had a fourth discipline thrown into the mix, in the form of swimming. Lynch returned to her triathlon roots and finished an impressive 7th in the women’s 30-34 age group at December’s Ironman 70.3 (half ironman) World Champs in Taupo.

“I probably really only focussed on the race in the last few months beforehand, while I dealt with work, study and travel. I was really stoked. The swim was to be expected. The ride was really good fun- they put together a great course, and I probably had one of my best paced runs. It was nuts how many people were there, and the weather was incredible”.

With Coast to Coast the major focus towards the back end of summer, the kayak wasn’t allowed to gather dust on it’s racks. A reasonable block of training in the boat ahead of the Motu Challenge, where she finished second behind Elina Ussher, meant the paddling skills weren’t entirely neglected.

“My coach Tim Brazier basically held my paddle to ransom. If I completed my assigned swimming load during the week, I could go kayaking at the weekends !”

Consecutive sixth place finishes in the last two Longest Days disguise the true potential of the bubbly Deb Lynch. What is clear is that she can put in an absolute flier over the mountain run. In 2024 she smashed out an impressive 3 hours 46 minute mountain run, with Simone Maier and Hannah Lund about four minutes adrift. However at Mount White, her prospects unravelled. A mechanical issue 200 metres into the kayak stage took an eternity to (sort of) fix, as the other contenders disappeared downstream.

“This year for me, I guess it’s just making sure I don’t do anything stupid. I don’t have to do anything special in the kayak- I just have to stay upright and tie the ropes properly ! A couple of years gives you a bit more time, experience and confidence in it.”

So in the overall picture, does she see herself as someone who could step onto the podium, or even win the Longest Day ?

“I’d like to think so. I think I’ve shown in the last two years that it’s all there in the first half. Just have to put a second half together. Like I said- nothing special. I just have to do the basics right- stay upright, and making sure my boat’s in good condition- just paddle ! I think my kayak splits can be similar to the others. Maybe the biggest opportunity for improvement is the last cycle.”

Simone Maier is unquestionably the queen of the race right now. Only Rebecca Kingsford came close to matching her kayak split, but the five times champion seems to get stronger as the day goes on, and her final ride to New Brighton Beach left a lot of broken bodies in her wake. Lynch says she’ll be aiming for a stronger performance in the final bike leg.

“It was probably my weakest leg in Taupo, but I do think it should be reasonably easy to fix. I’m definitely improving as I spend more time on my time trial bike as opposed to my road bike. I think I’ve got most of the tools there to at least give the overall race a good nudge.”

There’s sense of fun around racing when you chat with Deb Lynch and she sees keeping that grounded approach as being a key for her.

“Obviously I had several years in short course triathlon where you did get stressed in this high octane environment but I’m now really enjoying the longer stuff. I guess you can be more relaxed going into it. Then you’re having more fun, and if I’m having more fun, I’m usually doing a bit better !”

Long may the fun continue !

Double stroke survivor's journey to the Kathmandu Coast to Coast

struan@earlybirdmedia.co.nz (Struan Purdie) — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 20:38:19 GMT

Haley Wells had 2 strokes at the age of 42. This is her story.

It’s been a long journey to the start line of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast for Haley Wells, who survived two strokes in 2023 which nearly derailed her dreams.

Now, the 44-year-old policewoman from Auckland is preparing to take on the iconic multi-sport event next Friday as part of a tandem team with her workmate, Scott Foster.

This milestone marks an extraordinary comeback and a testament to Haley’s determined spirit.

Haley first set her sights on the Kathmandu Coast to Coast in 2023, steadily building her fitness by entering shorter multisport and running events to test her fitness.

However, her journey took an unexpected and devastating turn in April 2023 when she suffered a stroke at the age of 42.

When it happened I lost my vision and movement in my right side and couldn’t move my hand at all,” said Wells.

“They did an MRI and I had two clots on my brain so they told me I’d had a full stroke.”

During her recovery, doctors discovered a hole in Haley’s heart, which required surgery to repair.

While undergoing this procedure, Haley experienced a second stroke, intensifying the challenges she had to overcome.

“That threw me. I couldn’t stand up properly and was holding on to walls to walk. My brain was trying to recover and re-wire itself and then it got thrown to pieces again.”

Though none of her symptoms proved to be permanent, Wells spent a large part of the rest of 2023 recovering.

“In the end I just decided it wasn’t going to hold me back,” she said.

“I wanted to show my kids that whatever you go through, you can come through the other side and keep you’re dreams going.

So here I am - a week out and quietly freaking out!”

Wells said she was drawn to the sheer challenge of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

“I just thought if you’re going to go big, why not go as big as you can. For me Coast is as big as you can in New Zealand.”

“It was a pretty emotional day getting the email through that we had a place, so I guess it was meant to be and we’ve been working bloody hard since then.”

Ussher back for her 20th race

struan@earlybirdmedia.co.nz (Struan Purdie) — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 21:45:26 GMT

Elina Ussher - A Finn far From finished

It would be hard to imagine the Kathmandu Coast to Coast without Elina Ussher on the start line. A wee bit like bread without butter, Mick without Keith, or a dentist with false teeth !

The four times Longest Day winner will be lining up on Kumara Beach for the 20th time this year, and her consistency means that the other women will know that they will have to bring their A games.

“Obviously I would like to go faster- it’s always about the same time. The hardest part of the day for me has often been the final bike leg and that’s where I’ve lost the race quite a few times. It’s an area we’re trying to improve- I’ve got a new Trek Time Trial bike so hopefully that helps !”

Ussher’s last victory in 2017 saw her ride down Robyn Owen on South Eyre Road, but the veteran says that was more about the south african’s then lack of experience on a time trial bike, rather than her own performance.

“My time wasn’t that fast and the TT bike was something very new to Robyn at that time. I think she made me look like I was going better than I was”.

The Finland born flier will be approaching 49th birthday come race day and with age and experience comes wisdom. So what advice would Ussher give to the 28 year old version of herself ?

“Not to worry too much about what others are doing, and get your nutrition right ! I still have so many things I can improve there. It’s easy to get caught up with the course and river crossings and so on, and you can lose track of your fuelling. It’s very hard to get on top of things later on if you’re not eating and drinking from the start.”

Having raced the event more than any other woman, Elina Ussher has done extremely well to keep her body in shape to continue putting hurt on the other leading contenders.

While conscious of body maintenance, she says there’s an element of luck and she still has a few busted bits.

“Massage is expensive, all the maintenance is expensive, so fortunately I’m not spending that much money on those things. I always have some little niggles. My right shoulder is really munted. I used to dislocate it many times in the past while Adventure Racing. Arthritis is now an issue and surgery will be needed at some point in the future”.

So combining the arthritis with a more recent sciatic nerve issue, the Cable Bay based mutlisporter has become something of an expert at pushing through the pain barriers.

Victory late last year in Opotiki’s final ever Motu Challenge race showed that Elina Ussher is again in good form building towards the Longest Day, and also underlined her love for the sport.

“Doing sport is my life. I’ve been doing it for so long so my body is used to it. I get more stressed if I have to sit down for a couple of hours. And Coast is almost the only multisport race left in the country- that’s one of the reasons why I’m racing it time after time. I would say that the course is probably the best in the world for a race like that.”

Battle heats up in Elite Youth category

struan@earlybirdmedia.co.nz (Struan Purdie) — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 21:14:31 GMT

Josh Nichol favourite to win under-23 race

With the 2025 Kathmandu Coast to Coast fast approaching, 22-year-old Josh Nichol is being widely regarded as the favourite to win the highly competitive Elite Youth category.

Introduced for the first time in 2024, the Elite Youth under-23 category has quickly become a key feature of the race, showcasing the next generation of top endurance athletes.

Nichol, originally from Pokeno, first competed in 2023 in a tandem team with his Dad Rob Nichol before competing in the under 23 category last year.

He said he’s hoping for a “smoother” performance than 2024 where he was pulled off the gruelling mountain run stage 28km in with extreme fatigue and ended up in hospital.

“I just kept pushing myself and eventually got into a bit of a zombie-mode,” said Nichol.

“I wasn’t in a good way.”

Nichol said his focus for this year was to not go out too hard at the start and make up as much time as possible in the mountain run which has historically been his strength.

Nichol initially caught the bug for Kathmandu Coast to Coast after being support crew for his Dad and tandem teammate Richie McCaw.

“Those two were really good at focusing on their own race instead of everything around them.”

Nichol will have a tough job ahead of him to claim victory with a strong field of youth athletes including Methven’s Anthony Kearvell who’s ranked in 2nd and has dedicated the last 4 months specifically to training for the iconic event.

As the race grows in popularity, the new Elite Youth category offers young athletes a unique platform to compete against the best in the sport.

Race director Glen Currie said he’s been impressed by the calibre of athletes the category continues to attract.

“The Under 23 Elite Category was an exciting addition to the event last year and it didn't disappoint! There was incredibly close racing in both the male and female categories and the calibre definitely confirmed the 'elite' title,” he said.

“Reading through the entrants for this years event it is again an exciting line up with a lot of depth in a variety of sports. It should present for close racing for the title of Youth Elite Champion.”

The Hunt Is On

struan@earlybirdmedia.co.nz (Struan Purdie) — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 02:35:30 GMT

Alex Hunt on chasing an elusive victory at the Kathmandu Coast to Coast

Conditions have to play ball and it’s not often that our Longest Day Men’s winners break the 11 Hour barrier. Last year, for the leading men at least, conditions did play ball, and Hamish Elliott smashed that mark.

So that created a whole world of pain for second placed finisher Alex Hunt. Around 2 and a half minutes adrift with a time a shade over 10 hours 51 minutes, most years that would have him standing on the top spot on the podium, but not so in 2024. The affable Tasmanian understandably , cut a sad- dejected figure at the finish line, so it’s something of a relief for fans of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast to see him back on the start line for 2025.

“It wasn’t an immediate decision to come back, that’s for sure ! I’d told myself and my family that it was going to be the last one, but Maggie my partner was supportive and keen for me to go again.”

Hunt also had some support from one of best Coaches in modern sport, who also happens to be one of the great names of the Coast to Coast.

“When I spoke with Gordon Walker a couple of days after the race, he sort of said there was a lot we can improve on if you want to go again. He said he was happy to help out for another year and an athlete like me doesn’t get the opportunity to work with one of the best endurance sport coaches in the world that often, so that for me was it !”

The five times podium finisher was nearly five minutes behind Elliott running into Klondyke Corner. Hunt considers his run a strength and concedes to taking it a little more conservatively going up and over Goat Pass. For him, he sees the paddle as the opportunity for improvement .

“I think my performance on the Waimak let me down last year so that’s where we’ve been focussing the most of our attention. Gordy’s obviously a pretty good paddle coach and that’s what we’ve looked at the most over the last nine months.”

With a race as long as the Coast to Coast, most competitors will agree that no matter how well you’re going, at some point in the day you’re going to go through a dark patch or two. Hunt says dealing with that is one of the best things that Walker brings to the table.

“Race strategy has been a huge part of it for me in recent years. Just hanging in there when you’re not feeling good- when it’s just not working for you. Usually that time for me and a lot of others I’ve spoken to, is when you get through Red Bridge on the paddle. At that point you’re over 2 and a half hours in , but there’s still a lot of paddling ahead. I think if you start to lose focus there, you can bleed a lot of time.”

The return of four time winner Sam Clark adds another dynamic to the 2025 race, and Alex Hunt says he has nothing but respect for the Whakatane star who he has raced both with and against in many events over the years.

“He’s dominated the four races he’s won. He’s a unique beast. He prepares himself so well for Coast- he knows the course like the back of his hand.”

Alex Hunt was happy with his cycling improvements last year and with another 12 months training under his belt, he’s hopeful of going to the next level.

“I’d like to make a real race of it with Sam and Hamish.”

He also rates last year’s third place getter Ben Phillips. Other than an appearance back in 2013, the Ironman Pro hadn’t raced the Longest Day before. Hunt says Phillips is the real deal.

“He was solid in the boat. He bikes incredibly and he has huge aerobic capacity. He’ll be hard to beat as well !”

Three generations, One team

struan@earlybirdmedia.co.nz (Struan Purdie) — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 02:18:54 GMT

Family trio set to tackle Kathmandu Coast to Coast

In an inspiring display of family legacy and endurance, 15-year-old Lewis Blay will compete in this year’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast race as part of a three-generation team, joined by his uncle Aaron Prince and grandfather Russell Prince.

The iconic race, which stretches across the South Island from the West Coast to the East Coast, holds deep personal significance for the family.

69-year-old Russell was the winner of the 1987 longest day event and has completed over 20 Coast to Coast races.

He was also known to set the standard for over 10 years when it came to the mountain run and still holds the national record for the 100km road running race.

For 15-year-old Lewis, the opportunity to finally race the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is a dream come true.

“My grandad and uncle have being doing it for a long time and they’ve always been really good at adventure racing so I’ve always looked up to them. Then my Mum did the race last year and it just really motivated me to be a part of it.”

Lewis, who’s competing in the 30.5km mountain run stage, has been running competitively for the last three years but this will be the longest and most gruelling race so far.

“I do a lot of tramping and river crossings but in most of the races I do, the worst it gets is gravel roads.”

His Grandfather Russell says he was “blown away” with the invite to join the team.

“It’s great seeing young guys like lewis doing the race. It’s just amazing, I can’t believe I got asked to go in a team with them.”

Russell took Lewis and a friend through the mountain run last April and said the boys were fast but still a had a few things to learn.

“They’d get lost very easily without being shown the route on the West Coast side”

“I was pleased to wave them goodbye at Goat Pass though where they bounded away down the Eastern side of the track to meet Lewis’ Dad Andy, then I came out about an hour later.”

Lewis’ uncle Aaron Prince says it’s a really special to be competing as a family team.

“Obviously Dad’s a previous winner and I’ve done the race a few times myself so it’s time for that third generation to get keen I guess.”

Aaron is no stranger to the world of endurance sport, with a total of 7 Coast to Coast events under his belt.

He’s also competed in adventure races around the world and won 8 Adventure Race World Championship medals

"When I was growing up both Mum and Dad were doing the Coast to Coast and other adventure racers.”

“And then myself and my sisters got into it and now the next generation is doing it and it’s not cause we’re forcing them - they actually really want to do it, so it’s quite fun.”

“The cool thing about the Coast to Coast is the history - it’s been going over 40 years and very similar course and it’s always been the major event on the calendar for multi-sporters. If there’s any event you want to do well in , that’s it. It’s the big one you know.”

Entering Coast with cancer & new baby

struan@earlybirdmedia.co.nz (Struan Purdie) — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 22:54:02 GMT

Cancer, chemo, surgery and pregnancy - not your typical race prep

It’s fair to say Elise Cassidy has had a rough 12 months - a stage 3 cancer diagnosis, 2 rounds of chemotherapy, and major surgery to remove a tumour from her bowel. Throw in a pregnancy and the birth to her 3rd child during all of this and you’ve the year from hell.

However the 36-year-old mum of three isn’t letting life get her down as she sets her sights on the 2025 Kathmandu Coast to Coast, competing in the 2 day individual category.

“You have something like this happen and you can either let it cut you down and wallow in it or can go out and live life better than you did before,” Cassidy said.

The whole saga started in June 2023 when she starting having abnormal bowel symptoms. A month later she discovered she was pregnant with her 3rd child. Over the next several months she “battled” the health system to have her symptoms investigated and in December she was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer after doctors discovered a 5cm tumour in her bowel.

“I had to fight the system to get seen cause I was pregnant and they didn’t want to look into it,” said Cassidy.

“I had to say, look I’ve got two other kids and I’d quite like for them to have a mum. When they caught it it was stage 3 and it was in all my lymph nodes as well.”

She immediately started three months of chemotherapy. Threes weeks after the treatment finished she gave birth to her daughter. The next four months involved more chemotherapy and bowel surgery to cut out the remaining cancer.

Cassidy, who completed the Longest Day in 2021, said she signed up for the 2025 event to give herself something to work towards.

“When I was in hospital having my surgery the entries came out for Coast to Coast and I thought ‘I don’t want to be sitting in a hospital bed, I want to do this’.”

“It’s a good way to get fit, strong and healthy again.”

Cassidy has leant on the experience of adventure racing legend Nathan Fa’avae ONZM who has helped her with a customised training plan.

“I’ve always admired people with ambition and determination, so when she asked for help, there was no hesitation. We got straight to work,” said Fa’avae.

“I’ve also been inspired by her incredible resilience and unwavering positivity, especially as a mother of young children.”

Cassidy said training has been challenging as she dealt with the effects of her treatment. “I couldn’t really paddle because the chemo makes touching cold stuff really painful.”

“I get quite fatigued really easily and I still have no feeling in my feet from the chemo cause it kills a lot of nerve endings.”

She said she wanted to show people going through a similar experience that it didn’t need to define them.

“I wanted to do Coast to Coast to prove a point, that you can go through shit and have all this hard stuff happen but you can still go out and achieve the stuff you want. You don’t have to let it eat you up and do nothing.”

Sam Clark announces return for 2025

struan@earlybirdmedia.co.nz (Struan Purdie) — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 23:11:57 GMT

Sam Clark aiming for his 5th win in 2025 Longest Day

Kathmandu Coast to Coast legend Sam Clark has announced his return to the elite men’s Longest Day in 2025 after a 4 year hiatus.

The Whakatane athlete has previously dominated the field claiming back-to-back wins from 2016-2018 then again in 2020 after a year off.

Clark said crewing for elite woman Julia Chamberlain in 2024 sparked his interest in entering again.

“I just really love this event,” said Clark.

“A couple of months ago I thought to myself if I’m thinking about doing this again at any point, it may as well be now because I don’t know where I’m going to be this time next year.”

Clark is quick to point out this isn’t a return from retirement. While the 33-year-old has been focusing on his career as a mechanical engineer, he’s continued to compete in endurance events including Motu Challenge and Tour of Southland. He also trialled for Emirates Team New Zealand cycler squad.

“I’ve probably been putting in 15 hours of training per week consistently for the last 4 or 5 years”

Race Director Glen Currie said the Kathmandu Coast to Coast team are “ecstatic” to have Clark back for 2025.

“When you think of the GOATS of the mens race at the Kathmandu Coast to Coast you think of names such as Murray, Gurney, Ussher and also Clark,” said Currie

“Sam is the ultimate Coast athlete with no real weak discipline. Sam's personality is also refreshing at any event he participates in, he will be sure to put a number of our top male athletes on notice.”

The 34-year-old is currently ranked 3rd in the elite men’s field behind Australia’s Alex Hunt and defending champion Hamish Elliot from Wanaka.

“Hamish Elliot has stepped up in a very impressive way over the last couple of years and the race between him and Alex in 2024 was so close so I’m expecting a pretty hard-fought day out,” said Clark.

He’s also not discounting Ben Phillips who’s impressive performance earned him third place in the men’s longest day.

While Clark’s making no secret of his intentions to secure his 5th win at the iconic multisport event, he acknowledged he’s got more commitments to juggle compared to when he last raced.

“The biggest challenge this time around is going to be managing the training while also working a 45hr per week job, which kind of puts me in line with almost every other person that’s competing and back to where I was when I first started the event.”

Longest Day Individual Elite Mens Ranking:

Hamish Elliot
Alex Hunt
Sam Clark
Ben Phillips
Ryan Kiesanowski
Robbie Hunt
Oliver Thompson
Lachie Brownlie
Caleb Hill
Tane Cambridge

Francis Douglas Memorial College claim Academy award

struan@earlybirdmedia.co.nz (Struan Purdie) — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 01:22:54 GMT

New Plymouth rugby mates teaming up for first Coast to Coast

15-year-olds Ollie Wheatley and Lachlan Sorenson have been playing rugby together since they were 7. Now they’re set to take on a new challenge - the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

The pair from Francis Douglas Memorial College in New Plymouth were recently awarded the 2025 Kathmandu Coast to Coast Academy prize with entries flooding in from secondary schools across the country.

The boys will compete as a team in the Two Day event.

Ollie, who will be tackling the initial cycle stage on day one and the kayak section on the second day, says he’s looking forward to the challenge.

“I’ve been thinking about doing the race for a while so when this opportunity came up I jumped at it”.

The Academy was first established in 2015 to get more young people into multisport with both advice and equipment to help them complete the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

The prize includes a free entry into the sold-out event, $5000 of gear from the primary sponsor Kathmandu, a Barracuda Kayak for their school and free coaching and mentoring from a Kathmandu Coast to Coast Ambassador.

“Making the Kathmandu Coast to Coast accessible to all ages has been a top priority for many years. We’re able to provide this opportunity to secondary school students thanks to the ongoing support of our race partners” says Race Director Glen Currie.

“It’s awesome to see this next generation of athletes coming through and hopefully they pick up a real love for the sport.”

The initial inspiration for boy’s multisport goals came from Ollie’s Dad Chris Wheatley who first competed in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast in 2018.

“I’m not your typical athlete so it just proves if I can do it anyone can,” Chris said.

“Yeah I’m really proud of both of them. They’re both just really great kids and it’s been awesome to watch them get stuck into training.”

Lachlan says he’s been preparing for the gruelling 30.5km mountain run stage, which traverses the main divide, by running across the rocks at his local Waiwhakaiho beach.

“We’re also planning to spend a bit of time training on Mt Taranaki over the next fews months.”

The pair will join a sold-out field of athletes on 7 February as the Kathmandu Coast to Coast kicks off for it’s 43rd year.

Glen’s Picks for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 19:37:21 GMT

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.

I was fortunate enough to spend a few years racing at this end of the field and have a fair understanding of the mindset of the athletes trying to win or place in the top 5. Multisport is such a unique sport that outside of New Zealand, and even outside of the sport, there is little acknowledgement of the prestige that exists with winning the Longest Day Kathmandu Coast to Coast, also known as the World Multisport Championships. The fact that the sport doesn’t appear to exist outside of New Zealand other than in Australia, South Africa and a number of European countries makes one wonder why a handful of people would train like Olympic athletes for years on end to win this event. Is it money? The reality is that the prize purse wouldn’t cover the cost of most ‘Elite athletes’ bicycles, which, if they want to win, require this latest technology.

The beauty of this event is that the elites generally train to win it for the pure extrinsic value of being named the Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day Champion. To have this title within the small multisport community is to be recognised as a god; there is a collective understanding of the skillset and the endurance base it takes to win this race. The Kathmandu Coast to Coast community appreciates all endurance athletes, but to be fair, you could win the Kona Ironman, but a true Kathmandu Coast to Coast fan would probably still ask you if you can claim a sub 3-hour run time over Goat Pass.

Outside of the event, other elite New Zealand sportspeople are also more ready to acknowledge and recognise the skills and endurance that it takes to win this event. Especially when you look at how previous champs such as Braden Currie, Dougal Allan, Andrea Hewitt, and Hayden Wilde have all not only branched out to other sporting disciplines but, in fact, dominated them. I am sure the great Richie McCaw and other renowned sporting elite would be happy to give a nod to Kathmandu Coast to Coast champs and recognise their commitment to the sport.

With this year’s Elite field as strong as it’s ever been, I’m going to put my neck on the line with my top picks for the male and female fields. Again the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is unique in the fact that come the Red Bridge on the Waimakariri River in the Longest Day, it won’t necessarily be the most talented athlete who will win; by this stage, talent has been whittled down in the last nine hours of racing, from Red Bridge on it becomes about who wants the title the most.

The Women's field again goes 10 athletes deep who could all win it on the day.

Names to watch out for are:

1. Simone Maier

2. Fiona Dowling

3. Rebecca Kingsford

4. Elina Ussher

5. Deborah Lynch

6. Hannah Lund

7. Tessa Aukje Dekker

8. Julia Chamberlain

9. Maria Ehlin Kolk

10. Alice Mullins

Several females entered outside of this list who could easily podium also. Some thoughts on these are, though, that Simone is the strongest athlete in the field and arguably the greatest female Kathmandu Coast to Coast athlete ever. To win in 2024 will equal the great Kathy Lynch’s five-time champion record, and Kathy probably does still hold the candle as the greatest Women’s Coast to Coast athlete ever. A win in 2024 will come down to how much Simone wants it, having won the title already.

Fiona Dowling has been agonisingly close for many years; she must question what extra she needs to do to win? She is an exceptional kayaker and has turned her weakness of running into a strength, having placed 2nd and 3rd, there is only one other place to get on the podium.

Every year, there are stories of crazy times coming off Goats Pass. This year, the stories have revolved around Deb Lynch, with some daunting run times being posted and the experience of the Longest Day now under her belt. The question will be how much she has improved her kayaking.

Julia Chamberlain won the Open Women’s last year and placed 7th overall, she could potentially be a dark horse.

Hannah Lund has the desire to win the race and, most definitely, the talent. It will be a matter of whether she has done the race time and has the experience to get the job done against arguably far more experienced athletes.

Maria Ehlin Kolk is a talented expedition racer from Sweden. She has the ability to win the race but probably lacks the experience.

Elina Ussher will win the race if everyone else doesn’t have their complete performance together. The most consistent athlete in the field and most experienced, there is no doubt that Elina will have a good day racing. After 19 events, she would be the first to admit she probably doesn’t have the same spring through big boulders, but she will be consistent and will pick people up all the way to the finish line.

Rebecca Kingsford, in my mind, has the single focus required to win the event this year. Living in Christchurch, she has dedicated her time to this event and has developed the skills and knowledge required to win it. In my mind, she wants it the most.

My top 5 Elite Female Longest Day Champs for 2024

1. Rebecca Kingsford

2. Simone Maier

3. Hannah Lund

4. Fiona Dowling

5. Elina Ussher

The men's field promises the most excitement in a number of years. It is usually relatively ‘easy’ to pick a favourite in the men’s field or at least the top three, but the 2024 field has the most depth in a long time. There are easily five blokes that could take the number one spot.

The 10 ranked men this year are:

1. Sam Manson

2. Hamish Elliott

3. Ryan Kiesanowski

4. Alex Hunt

5. Lars Löfgren

6. Bradley McNamara

7. Lachie Brownlie

8. Robbie Hunt

9. Ben Phillips

10. Tane Cambridge

However, with the close competition, names like Alex Roberts, Jesse Whitehead, and Ben O’Carroll could easily make the top ten on any given day.

Sam Manson has to be a favourite; he has done his time and learnt the art of winning. In 2021, he proved to himself he could win, and in 2023, he did this. No one in the event will know the course better than Sam; he is well aware of his strengths and will work on these all day. I imagine he will play the game of patience. Sam had a tough end of the year in 2023, developing a virus and battling in a number of events leading up to Christmas. This will either hinder him or the forced rest will potentially have set him up nicely for the icing of the cake that occurs over January. Recent reports suggest Sam is peaking perfectly for the upcoming race.

Hamish Elliot has maintained a single-minded focus on the event, although it's challenging to gauge his current status as he trains somewhat underground. Undoubtedly the fastest runner over the mountain run, though this has been to his detriment in the past. I predict Hamish will be swift over Goat Pass but keep a manageable pace, allowing him to remain competitive in the second half of the day.

The seasoned veteran of the field is Ryan Kiesanowski (40 years old). He has enjoyed an exceptional five years of racing and is to be admired for his competitiveness, considering he has a family and runs a full-time business. If all the stars align, Ryan could easily secure victory in this event; however, he would be the first to admit that he has a few more stars to align compared to some of his competitors.

Lars Lofgren has the physical ability to win the event, having defeated Sam Manson in Sweden’s ARE Challenge, demonstrating his racing experience. His challenge lies in course knowledge and the fact that he has come from a Swedish winter with limited opportunities to kayak. Keep an eye on Lars as he positions himself near the front after the run!

Brad McNamara poses a threat coming down from the North Island, with numerous races under his belt; 2024 could be his year to shine. Others to watch include Ben Phillips, who finished 23rd in the Ironman World Champs in 2023 and swiftly transitioned from goggles to paddle, easily top three potential at the Multisport World Champs. Robbie Hunt, Alex's brother, has familiarised himself with the course and will be looking forward to getting back out there again this year. Additionally, Lachie Brownlie, now a Kathmandu Coast to Coast regular, possesses the knowledge of how to secure a victory.

Finally, Alex Hunt is an Australian from Tasmania, almost making him more of a Kiwi than an Aussie. Alex has arguably been the most competitive international in the men's field over the past ten years of the event. With the last international to win being the legendary John Jacoby in 1993, Alex will no doubt be keen to take the old mug home. He readily admits that his biggest weakness in previous events was time on the course. However, this year, he has committed to spending five weeks in New Zealand, preparing and utilising the skills of previous multisport world champion and Halberg Coach of the Year recipient Gordon Walker for coaching. Alex has made a point of leaving no stone unturned in the Waimakariri and over Goats Pass in his preparation for the 2024 event. Additionally, Alex shows the desire to win and put this event to bed. Hence, I am picking Alex to win in 2024.

Top 5 men:

1. Alex Hunt

2. Sam Manson

3. Ryan Kiesanowski

4. Hamish Elliot

5. Brad McNamara

In both fields, I am picking a lead change during the final ride, with less than a 30-minute gap between the top 5 competitors in both categories. The 2024 race is poised to deliver a race for the ages!

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

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 06:00:00 GMT

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.

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

Sun, 28 Jan 2024 17:00:00 GMT

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.

Gearing up to compete in the newly introduced 2-Day Individual Elite Youth category, Campbell's path to this iconic multisport race is characterised by an extraordinary recovery from a near-fatal brain injury that unfolded on his 19th birthday.

On July 19, 2022, Gray’s life took a drastic turn when a seemingly routine hockey practice resulted in a life-threatening incident. Ignoring advice to spend his birthday with friends instead of at practice, a seemingly ordinary shot collided with his skull, resulting in fractures to his right temporal bone, optical bone, and jaw. The subsequent brain injury required immediate surgery, and his survival hung in the balance.

Fifteen months later, he is not only back on his feet but poised to compete in one of the most challenging multisport events—the 243km Kathmandu Coast to Coast. The 2024 edition, scheduled for February 9 and 10, will witness Gray as one of the leading athletes to take out the Elite Youth category. This year marks his fourth attempt to stand on the start line at Kumara Beach, with the additional hurdle of COVID contributing to his delay.

"Despite facing a life-threatening injury, Campbell emerges as a top contender in this year's Elite Youth Category," says Race Director Glen Currie. "His inspiring comeback is a testament to his determination and encapsulates everything that the Kathmandu Coast to Coast represents—overcoming challenges with unwavering resilience."

With the goal of clinching the Elite Youth title, Gray's preparation for the event has been promising. In the Ōpōtiki Motu Challenge last October, he achieved victory over Sam Clark, four-time Kathmandu Coast to Coast Champion, with an impressive lead of five minutes and 17 seconds.

From struggling to maintain balance, walk, and talk in the aftermath of the brain injury, Gray has made a remarkable recovery. His dedication to sports and relentless spirit have brought him back to competitive form. "I can't live a life without sport," he adds, reflecting on his journey so far.

To follow Campbell Gray's journey from one side of New Zealand to another, download the Kathmandu Coast to Coast App, and follow #493 in the 2-Day Individual Elite Youth category.

International Flavour in this year’s Elite Women Showdown

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 23:49:49 GMT

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.

With only two New Zealand-born, Corrinne O'Donnell and Jess Simson, claiming the top spot over the last 10 years, the question lingers – can a Kiwi outpace the internationals? The event promises intense and fast-paced racing, with athletes fully aware that securing victory demands an almost-perfect effort on race day.

Once again, there’s an exciting depth of talent, with many athletes vying for supremacy. Wanaka’s Simone Maier (originally from Germany) is back to defend her title, securing the top seed with consistent training in her build-up. However, Fiona Dowling and Rebecca Kingsford, last year's second and third-place finishers, are determined to challenge Maier's bid for her fifth championship title, both showing strong preparations.

Is it finally time to be Dowling’s year? She hopes there's something in the 10 ^th time on the start line, much like last year’s Champion, Sam Manson, who finally cracked the podium top spot after a decade of trying. Dowling, originally from Ireland and now based in Christchurch, is known for her exceptional kayaking and transforming her running weakness into a strength. She has secured 2nd and 3rd podium places in recent years, leaving only one podium position unclaimed.

Rebecca Kingsford brings a single-minded focus to secure victory this year. Based in Christchurch, she has dedicated significant time to her build-up, focusing on race-day strategies and building her strength. While almost guaranteed a podium spot, the question remains, which position will she claim?

In her remarkable 19th consecutive year, Finland-born Elina Ussher reasserts her presence on the starting line, demonstrating that age is no obstacle. Drawing on her wealth of experience, she is arguably the most experienced competitor in the elite field, men included; the main question is whether she still has the speed in the legs to hold off the younger competitors.

Deb Lynch, seeded fifth after last year’s impressive debut, continues to impress with some remarkable times clocked over the course of her summer training. With a focus on improving her kayaking as she heads into this year’s race, she is potentially the one to create the upset.

Maria Kolk from Sweden enters the scene with plenty of experience in adventure races overseas. A newcomer to the event, Kolk's potential is not to be underestimated, contingent on her effective knowledge of the course. Hannah Lund, hailing from Methven, is currently in stellar form and Julia Chamberlain from Darfield, last year's Longest Day Open Women winner, is ready to assert herself as a formidable contender.

The competition in the female field runs deep, with each participant showcasing determination and preparation, setting the stage for an exciting and competitive race. "It's going to be who wants it the most on the day," adds Currie.

The 2024 Women’s Longest Day winner will walk away with $10,000, while the prize money for both the second and third-place getters receive $4,500 and $2,500, respectively, equal to the men's prize money.

Women’s Longest Day Top 10

Simone Maier, Wanaka (Originally from Germany) - Bib #11,
Fiona Dowling, Christchurch - Bib #12
Rebecca Kingsford, Christchurch - Bib #13
Elina Ussher, Nelson (Originally from Finland) - Bib #14
Deborah Lynch, Tawa - Bib #15
Hannah Lund, Methven - Bib #16
Tessa Aukje Dekker, Christchurch (Originally from the Netherlands) - Bib #17
Julia Chamberlain, Darfield - Bib #18
Maria Ehlin Kolk, Östersund, Sweden - Bib #31
Alice Mullins, Christchurch - Bib #20

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

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 05:03:31 GMT

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.

Facing the challenges of having only one arm (and one kidney!), Shaz, Aotearoa's first elite para-triathlete, remains undaunted, emphasising the importance of confronting challenges with a positive mindset. Along with the personal satisfaction of completing the event, she is also using her journey to raise funds for Kidney Kids NZ .

Shaz's journey began after a farm accident in December 2016 that resulted in the amputation of her left arm below the elbow two years later. Despite this setback, she has pursued her passion for sports, including becoming the first amputee to kayak the length of Lake Taupo.

Shaz first competed in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast in 2021, doing the 70km kayak section in a tandem kayak with a support person in case she got into trouble. However, this year, the Kathmandu Coast to Coast team has allowed her to paddle solo, providing a support person shadows her in another kayak. Unlike 2021, when she competed with only one arm, Shaz has received a specially designed socket for cycling and a 3D-printed adaptation for her kayak—a groundbreaking development that marks a first in the world.

“My biggest concern is how I will manage in the kayak with the constant nerve-ending pain with ‘Stumpy’. I don't know if I'll be able to achieve it, but I won't know unless I try," she adds. "I love the challenge of figuring out how I will do something. I might only have one wing, but I can still fly!”

Adding to her repertoire, Shaz is a motivational speaker who believes in turning negatives into positives and continuously challenging herself. Her story reflects the essence of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast—a journey of endurance, adventure, and overcoming obstacles.

Standing on the start line is challenging enough for many able-bodied athletes, which makes Shaz's remarkable journey a testament to the unlimited potential within human resolve. “With the right mindset and determination, anything is possible. Shaz's participation is a powerful reminder that the essence of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast knows no bounds, and her story inspires us all to overcome obstacles in pursuit of our goals," says Race Director Glen Currie.

Shaz's participation in the Coast to Coast not only symbolises her personal triumphs but also serves as an inspiration to others facing challenges. Her fundraising efforts for Kidney Kids NZ aim to support young children with this disease, reinforcing her commitment to making a positive impact in the community. “I want to complete the Kathmandu Coast to Coast as an Individual to fundraise for Kidney Kids and support young children on dialysis, as well as to prove that just because we're challenged, it doesn't mean we can't succeed," she says.

The 42nd Edition of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is on the 9th and 10th of February, 2024. To follow Shaz’s journey as she aims to become the first female amputee to finish the event as an individual, download the Kathmandu Coast to Coast App, and follow #448 in the 2-Day Individual category.

To donate, head to https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/limb-it-less-shaz-dagg

Kathmandu Coast to Coast Introduces Exciting New Category: Elite Youth

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 21:26:46 GMT

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.

This exciting addition, designed for athletes aged 23 and under, is a crucial stepping stone for aspiring multisporters before they set their sights on the pinnacle of multisport achievement – the Longest Day World Multisport Championships.

Recognising the crucial role of young talent in the multisport community, the 'Elite Youth' category aims to create a dedicated pathway for the sport's rising stars within the Two-Day individual category. By offering a platform for participants aged 23 and under to compete against their peers, the Kathmandu Coast to Coast seeks to foster a new generation of multisport enthusiasts who will eventually move to the Longest Day Elite category. It will open doors for talented youth and help them set their sights on the Longest Day World Multisport in the future Championships.

"We are excited to introduce the 'Elite Youth' category, as it represents a significant step forward in nurturing the potential of young multisport athletes. Ten years ago, we focused on getting multisport into schools; we can now see this result with some young superstars on the start line this year," said Race Director Glen Currie. "This category offers a fantastic opportunity for emerging athletes to test their skills on our iconic course. With names such as Sam King, Jenna Williams, Finn Mckenzie and Campbell Gray on the start line – the racing will be on!"

Seventeen-year-old Finn McKenzie from Blenheim is excited about competing in the new Elite Youth category, allowing him to race at an elite level without the added pressure of the Longest Day. “If something doesn’t go to plan on Day 1, I get a chance for a comeback on Day 2. I’m looking forward to being able to push my limits while competing amongst the best in my age group.”

Currie further emphasises the flexibility the Elite U23 Division provides, allowing competitors to enter the category later in the year. "We understand the importance of providing young athletes the time and opportunity to prepare for the event. This aligns with our commitment to supporting their growth, mirroring the approach we've successfully implemented for our Longest Day Elite athletes. I do not doubt that our next Sam Manson or Simone Maier will be amongst the athletes racing for this title," he adds.

In addition to the prestigious title, the Youth Elite category offers an attractive reward. The Male and Female champions will each receive a trophy and cash prizes of $1500 each, an NZSKI 3 Peak Pass for the 2024 Season and a $1000 Interislander voucher.

Introducing the Youth Elite category adds to the overall excitement of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast event. It highlights its commitment to promoting multisport excellence and providing a platform for the growth and development of emerging talent within the multisport community.

The Winning Smile

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 22:03:50 GMT

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!”

An after-school job coaching gym helped provide the money to buy the equipment to get out and enjoy the outdoors. “I was all by myself. I don’t know what drove me. It was just my way of connecting with myself and with nature. It made me feel good; I enjoyed it.”

Kristina was vaguely aware of the Coast to Coast the through the ski move “The Leading Edge”, which also included an earlier Judkins event, The Alpine Ironman. “We lived in Breaker Bay. There was no radio or TV reception. We had a little TV along with three movies. We just played The Leading Edge over and over. I was very aware of that kind of vibe. My brother was more aware of Coast to Coast and would talk me into running with him over the rocks in front of our home”.

Her first real Multisport sport event was the Crazyman in Wellington, and she also dabbled in mountain bike races. However, it wasn’t until she was aged around 20 and getting stuck into Uni that she also started getting more interested in events.

The Tuatapere Challenge in 1995 was when Strode Penny started taking it a little more seriously, but the prime motivation was still centred around enjoying nature and the remoteness of the race. “I was miles out the back after the kayak, but then I started running. Even as I recall that run, and I get it with most races- I go to a place of utter presence and joy and I absolutely love it. Everything just sings – I love the challenge. I love pushing myself hard, I love breathing hard; it’s not like I’m cruising. I love the feeling of the intensity of what’s required in managing every footstep and obstacle. That and managing a head plan on getting my way through at various points- chunking it all down to small parts. When I’m in the moment, it just feels sooo good!”

It didn’t just feel good- it clearly was better than good as Kristina strode through the women’s field to secure the win!

Academically, Kristina put her head down and did the work. After getting UE accredited, she headed to Dunedin at the end of the sixth form and completed a PhysEd degree with honours, and she then added another year to complete a BSC.

Her first visit to the Coast to Coast was in 1996. Kristina admits to a few nerves riding with the bunch early in the day, but she quickly found her happy place in the mountain run. “I remember passing the legendary Kathy Lynch at some stage and hearing some spluttering of f-bombs! I came into Klondyke Corner and heard over the loudspeaker, “here we have the first woman (shuffling of papers)… Penny Strode! I came into transition and went off to the toilet. Kathy Lynch stormed into transition, and I could hear her saying, “who the f… is that woman?” Lynch flew past somewhere after Bealey on the way to Mount White Bridge and secured her fifth and final title, with Kristina rolling into Sumner in an impressive second-place finish.

1997 was the year of Andrea Murray. Her time of 12 hours and 9 minutes still hasn’t been beaten to this day (although course adjustments make that a little tougher these days). For the first time in her life, Kristina focussed seriously on her training, but her single-mindedness didn’t pay dividends, with stress fractures and asthma making for a tough build-up and an even more difficult race. Eventually rocking home in sixth, it took Kristina two years to get her busted body back on track.

Her next appearance at the Coast to Coast didn’t come until 2004, but it was in the intervening years that her reputation took off. As recovery plans go, Kristina’s was out there. “Part of my plan was to bike around the world (gales of laughter).” 1995 Coast to Coast champion Ian Edmond wanted to bike to Belgium to see his girlfriend and invited her along. They started in Singapore and spent the next nine and a half months making the journey.

Edmond became hugely influential in Strode Penny’s career, recognising her broad skillset (particularly mountaineering) and inviting her to the Eco Challenge. Multiple other adventure races followed as she became a very much in-demand teammate. Victory in the length of New Zealand race increased her profile with the wider public, but a return to the Coast to Coast was still a few years off. “It was always there in the background, but I’d be shattered from the adventure racing season and January and February would tend to be my time off.”

A highly focused Kristina eventually returned to the Coast to Coast in 2004 in what turned out to be a rather dramatic day on many different levels. Some things you can’t control – the weather being one factor, but also a mechanical issue. It turns out that the bikes had fallen over on the rack at Kumara Junction and had hastily been put back in place. What Kristina didn’t realise as her heart rate went through the roof and bunches rode past was that her rear brake had locked on in the fall. All the rock stars were fading into the distance up the road, but she maintained her focus and tried to keep a cool head. Suddenly a hairy-legged dude with a backpack rolled up beside her on his scruffy old bike. “I was on a beautiful set-up bike, all the best gear, and that was when I pulled over.” She quickly diagnosed the problem. “I was miles back by then, but I got back on, and a guy called John Ellerm rode up beside me and recognised me. He was surprised to find me as far back as I was, and I explained what had happened. He very generously let me sit on his back wheel through to transition. He probably sacrificed his race, and I was very grateful to him.”

While it is true that Ellerm had a DNF that day, the reasons were unlikely to have been Kristina’s making. The weather in the mountain run was appalling, and eventually, Race Director Robin Judkins closed the course at the end of the run, with many failing to make it into their kayaks in a rising Waimakariri River. The run was naturally Kristina’s happy place, but she, along with eventual second-place finisher Jeanette Gerrie and third-placed Emily Miazga were the only women allowed to continue. Strode Penny punched through the cold conditions but describes herself as being “green” when she exited the boat at Gorge Bridge. “I was running up to the bike and thought, I don’t feel too good. I started vomiting, and it pretty much carried on all the way to Sumner Beach!” Her maiden victory was secured, but there was no basking in glory at the finish line as she disappeared off to the medical tent, where the body shut down completely!

Twelve months later, the newly married Kristina Anglem was back to defend her title. She says she was in a far more relaxed frame of mind in 2005. “I was thrilled to be there and around other competitors. I just flew - I couldn’t get enough - absolutely loved it!” So back-to-back wins secured, sixth overall, and only an hour behind men’s winner Richard Ussher!

At that point, the new Mrs Anglem felt very positive about her future in the race, but her abilities had been noted elsewhere and her career took a surprising new twist. “I got a letter from (six-time Olympic kayaking gold medalist) Ian Ferguson asking me if I’d be interested in paddling K1 at the 2008 Beijing Olympics?”

The women almost ended up qualifying a boat in the K4. “We needed to make a qualifying time twice, and we made it once. As we were lifting the boat off the water, I popped my back – literally blew a disc. That was in the Czech Republic”. Surgery followed, but the Olympic dream was effectively over.

“It was a reasonably sudden and difficult end to a career in sport, and that took some adjusting. I wasn’t prepared and had set my sights on getting to Beijing, which was within our grasp. It wasn’t a satisfying end, but that’s just the way things go!”

However, she admits that paddling K1 and K4 didn’t hold the same passion as being amongst nature and embracing the outdoors. “It was like paddling on the sewers and canals of Europe in water that flicks onto you, and your skin itches. No offence to paddling, but it’s a different world, and for me, the joy and uplift I get from being out in nature are what I do the sport for.”

Fast forward to the present, and family is everything to Kristina. Husband Nat is a respected sports doctor in Christchurch with an impressive sporting pedigree, which saw him narrowly miss selection for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Canada. The couple has three children- two boys and girl. “Nothing beats kids- my family now is the most important thing to me over everything, which is why I’ve never gone back to competing. I love being with them, being out in nature with them, and experiencing their challenges.”

Is a return to the Coast to Coast ever possible? “(Laughter) The competitive days are over, but if one of the kids ever wants to enter the tandem team event with me……who knows? I can’t really keep up with my eleven-year-old on the bike now!”

Words by Brian Ashby

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

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 01:35:24 GMT

Are you a high school student in New Zealand with a thirst for adventure and a love for the outdoors?

If so, we've got some exciting news - the highly anticipated Kathmandu Coast to Coast event is offering a chance for a high school to secure their spot on the 2024 start line as part of a 3-Person School Team.

Now in its seventh year, the Kathmandu Coast to Coast School’s Summit Academy is dedicated to supporting young individuals in their quest to conquer New Zealand's iconic multisport event. Beyond the excitement of race day, the Academy aims to ignite a lasting love for the great outdoors, encouraging participants to embrace adventure and push their boundaries.

Academy winners will not only secure an entry for a Two-Day 3 Person team event, but also receive Kathmandu gear worth up to $1,000, a Barracuda Enigma Kayak for training and during the event and for the school to keep, Kathmandu Coast to Coast branded race kit by Champion Systems, coaching and mentoring for the team, valuable assistance to earn a grade two kayak certificate, and much more.

"Becoming part of the Kathmandu School’s Summit Academy could be the spark that ignites a lifelong love affair with adventure and the outdoors for young participants. We're thrilled to accompany these individuals on their multisport journey," says Race Director Glen Currie.

Currie recognises the vital role our partners such as Kathmandu and Barracuda Kayaks play, whose unwavering support makes this opportunity possible. Their commitment ensures that deserving young adventurers can embrace the challenge without barriers.

Previous winners include Wakitipu High School and St Andrew’s College, with past recipients having gone on to compete as individuals in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast, highlighting the enduring impact of this unique opportunity.

Schools that already have an entry spot for the sold-out event are also eligible for the prize. As Race Director Glen Currie emphasizes, “Innovation and creativity are key.”

Applications are now open and close at 5pm, Friday 22nd September 2023. For more information and to apply online, head to www.coasttocoast.co.nz/kathmandu-academy .

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

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 01:22:54 GMT

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

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

Sun, 09 Jul 2023 22:43:23 GMT

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.

Located in often remote locations throughout the backcountry, they provide essential shelter and a sense of connection with nature. Understanding the importance of their upkeep, the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is proud to announce its partnership with the Backcountry Trust in supporting the resurrection of these cherished buildings.

The recent spruce-up of the Deception Hut, situated on the Goat Pass run section of the event, serves as an example of the remarkable work undertaken by the Backcountry Trust. These huts, which often fall outside the scope of the Department of Conservation's responsibilities, are restored and maintained by a dedicated team who offer their time and skills to ensure they are still standing in years to come.

To show their support and appreciation, the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is auctioning off a sold-out entry to their 2024 event on Trade Me. All proceeds from the sale will go directly towards the Backcountry Trust to assist them with their continued efforts to preserve and maintain the huts.

"The upkeep of all the huts, including those located on the Kathmandu Coast to Coast course, is vital to ensuring our athletes have shelter and are safe while training and exploring," said Glen Currie, Race Director of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast. "We are delighted to support the Backcountry Trust and their invaluable work in ensuring the continued existence of these huts for generations to come."

The Backcountry Trust is a non-profit organisation committed to preserving and restoring New Zealand's backcountry huts. Since its inception in 2014, they have breathed new life into 280 huts and 1,500km of walking and mountain bike tracks, providing adventurers with safe and comfortable accommodation while they explore New Zealand’s great outdoors.

The auction, which runs from 7 July – 21 July 2023, presents an ideal opportunity for a corporate team to join forces and compete in the highly sought-after 2024 event, all while contributing to the preservation of New Zealand's backcountry heritage.

To participate in the auction and support the Backcountry Trust, visit https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/travel-events-activities/activities/listing/4219558490?bof=jAUo26cb.

For more information about the Backcountry Trust and its projects, visit their website www.backcountrytrust.org.nz .

Eleventh time lucky as Sam Manson powers to maiden victory

Sat, 11 Feb 2023 10:17:35 GMT

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.

In his eleventh attempt to etch his name on the silverware, 31-year-old Christchurch local Sam Manson has clawed his way through the elite men's field to claim the 41st Kathmandu Coast to Coast Multisport World Championship title in a time of 11 hours, 40 minutes and 15 seconds.

In a race that changed leaders at every major transition, it wasn't until Manson hit the final 75km cycle along South Eyre Road, overtaking eventual second-place getter Ryan Kiesonwksi that he finally allowed himself to believe the race could finally be his. Receiving a split with 40km to go telling him he had a two-minute lead, then another with 20km to go informing him that he had now grown it to five, he finally knew it was in the bag.

"Overtaking Ryan was the moment. I knew my legs were feeling pretty fresh, which was unusual, as they would normally be wrecked. I passed him quite quickly, which was inspiring, and never looked back," says Manson.

"It's awesome to see Sam Manson take the victory. It's so well deserved, and he ended up having a great race with competitive times in every discipline," adds race Director Glen Currie. "The cool thing about Sam is the number of athletes he has assisted in completing the race through his job as a mountain and river guide at TopSport. He's been a huge part of this event for a number of years."

Setting off from Kumara Beach on the West Coast at 6am this morning, the first bike ride was tight, with a large lead bunch for most of the way to Aickens corner. A small breakaway of three was formed in the last 20km of the 75km ride before being swallowed up by the chasing bunch as they made their way up the Deception river to the top of Goat Pass.

Fourth-seed Hamish Elliot set a blistering pace at the front, coming off the Mountain Run in just under three hours, with a time of 2:58:45. With running his strength, Elliot knew he had to give it his all to have any chance of challenging the favourites. He was overtaken on the river by Manson, Kiesanowski and Hobart-based Alex Hunt, who rounded out the top three on the podium.

With a low river resulting in a compulsory portage at halfway Rapid through the gorge, it was always going to be a tough battle. "It was about racing your own race and looking after yourself nutrition-wise because I knew that paddle was always going to be long. I'm very proud of the way I raced," adds Kiesanowski.

In what is regarded as the biggest multisport event in the world, the 41st edition of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast has seen a record number of athletes make their way from the west coast to the east coast. "It's an incredible event, and people are starting to take more and more notice of it. From athletes to supporters to sponsors – it can only be a good thing," says Currie.

Perfect Day 1 at the Kathmandu Coast to Coast

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 21:36:52 GMT

In near-perfect conditions, New Plymouth-based athlete Calum Sutherland has taken the lead on the first day in the 2-Day Individual Open category of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

In a time of 5 hours, 5 minutes and 35 seconds, he edged out second-place getter Jesse Whitehead, with an 18-minute advantage as they head into Day 2 tomorrow.

Sitting in the second bunch on the first bike ride, Sutherland let the lead breakaway go, knowing he had to conserve some energy with the mountain run ahead of him. Reeling them in an hour up the Deception Valley, he took the lead and never looked back.

“I had a few periods of cramp on the way down, especially around Dudley’s Knob, but I enjoyed most of it,” he said.

Rounding out the top three males was Veteran Richard Greer in a time of 05:28:16.

They are part of 998 2-Day athletes who have taken on the 55-kilometre bike ride from Kumara Beach on the South Islands West Coast to Aickens corner, where they switched the cycling cleats for off-road shoes and headed across the Otira River and up the Deception Valley and over Goat Pass to finish 30.5 kilometres later at Klondyke Corner.

It’s a tight race in the Women’s 2 Day event with Christchurch’s Rebecca Firth stopping the timing mat in a time of 6:01:15, only five minutes ahead of second place Estelle Arundell from Dunedin. Also representing the southern city is Mary Gray who is a further 12 minutes back in third.

Ex-All Black Captain Richie McCaw and Olympic Rower Nathan Cohen have taken the lead in the Tandem Open male event in a time of 06:39:55, with a 20-minute lead over second-place Craig Ginders and Ben Dampier-Crossley. Over an hour separates the leader and third-place getters, Henry Moore and Mike Walker.

The 2-Day athletes start in two-minute waves at 7am tomorrow from Klondyke Corner, riding 17 kilometres to Mt White Bridge, before kayaking 70kms and finishing with a 70km bike down South Eyre Road to end up at Christchurch’s New Brighton beach.

The Longest Day competitors start back on Kumara beach at 6am.

Perfect conditions see fast times on Day 1 of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 21:25:38 GMT

There was short work made through Goat Pass today for the mountain run race at Kathmandu Coast to Coast 2023.

The Friday morning delivered perfect weather with slight overcast conditions and very inviting river levels for the 65 entrants.

First across the line was Open Male Harry Wager, in a time of 2 hours 58 minutes 43 seconds. An apparel designer for title sponsor Kathmandu, he was pleased with his run, and the trips he had on the slippery rocks didn’t slow him down much at all.

“They can get you sometimes, but you have to take the fall and get back up,” Wagner said.

In second place for the men's race was Classic Male Rod Harrhy (50-59), in a time of 3 hours 47 minutes 22 seconds, and third place was Veteran Male Steve Alexander (40-49), in a time of 4 hours 27 minutes 58 seconds.

In the women’s race, the competition was much closer. Veteran Kristy Jennings from Wanaka took the top spot in a time of 4 hours 35 minutes 41 seconds.

She was happy with how it all went, running in a bunch until the top of the pass then it was more of a solo race until the finish line. With a solid background in adventure racing, multisport and off-road triathlon, Kristy was in her element.

Her favourite part of the mountain run was just before the top of the Pass, with the beautiful conditions she was running strongly and really enjoying herself. “Probably the rougher the better for me, I enjoy that stuff,” she said.

Her partner Steve Grieve is competing in the Longest Day tomorrow, for the first time.

Coming in second in the women’s mountain run event, just a couple of minutes behind, was secondary school student Bex Skinner, in a time of 4 hours 37 minutes and 57 seconds.

Rounding out the top three women, a close six minutes behind the top spot, was Veteran Claire Le Grace, in a time of 4 hours, 41 seconds and 56 seconds.

Robert Fry, General Manager of Product of Kathmandu and previous Coast to Coast finisher, said Goat Pass is the perfect home for a mountain run.

“The Southern Alps of New Zealand produces some of the most unsettled weather in the world, so preparing Kathmandu Coast to Coast competitors with essential gear, made with the quality needed to withstand these conditions, is imperative,” he said.

Giving everyone an honest run

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 21:19:51 GMT

Day One has finished for the Secondary School teams in the Three Person 2 Day event, with some very tight racing at the front on a perfect first day at the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

Now at the halfway point at Klondyke Corner for the night, within this inter-school battle, there are only 31 minutes between the first-place team The Wannabes from Wakatipu High School, second-placed team Christ’s College and third-placed team Greymouth High School.

Queenstown’s Wakatipu High School team is this year’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast Academy prize pack winner.

As part of the prize haul, Tom Schenk (run) Josh Watson (bike) and Pete Davis (kayak) won a Two-Day School Team entry, a kayak from Barracuda Kayaks for their school, a $1000 clothing pack from principal partner Kathmandu, and coaching sessions from Kathmandu Coast to Coast Ambassadors.

Kathmandu Coast to Coast’s Race Director Glen Currie said the Academy's primary goal of providing young people with knowledge and equipment to encourage them to participate in multisport activities, as well as the ability to complete the Kathmandu Coast to Coast event is validated when he sees a performance like today.

Greymouth High School is leading the female Three Person Team in a time of 7 hours, 33 minutes and 55 seconds.

In the mixed team division, Saint Kentigern College is leading in a time of 5 hours, 28 minutes and 23 seconds, 30 minutes ahead of Waimea College in second and 44 minutes ahead of DHS in third.

“Making a multisport race like this available to all ages has been a top priority for many years, and it’s great to see it come to fruition. These youngsters performed so well today and are certainly giving competitors of all ages a run for their money,” says Currie.

Results Day 1

Three Person Male Team

Wakatipu High School - 05:37:53

Christs College - 06:03:18

Greymouth High School - 06:08:56

Three Person Female Team

Greymouth High School – 07:33:55

Three Person Mixed Team

Saint Kentigern College – 05:28:23

Waimea College – 05:59:16

DHS – 06:13:11

Women’s race set for a tough battle at the top

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 09:05:23 GMT

Once again, it’s going to be a hard-fought battle at the front of the Elite Women’s field for this year’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day.

Wanaka’s Simone Maier returns to defend the title she won for the third time in 2022, as does the four-time champion Elina Ussher from Nelson, who’s lining up for her 18th Kathmandu Coast to Coast. Christchurch-based Fiona Dowling returns for her 10 ^th time, hoping to go a few spots better, with the trio not surprisingly ranked 1, 2 and 3.

Proving age is no barrier with Maier and Ussher both over 40, they show no signs of slowing down anytime soon and will be looking to test themselves against the younger women coming up through the ranks.

“Elina Ussher will be competitive, there I no doubt about it. She doesn’t have ‘bad’ days on this course, and it will be absolutely no surprise to anyone if she wins again. The rest of the women will just have to race better than her on the day to win,” adds Currie.

Dowling will be hoping her seeded number doesn't once again equate to her podium spot. Having finished third four times in the Longest Day, including last year's weather-altered course, she will be hoping this year will be the one to crack the elusive Championship title.

While number four seed Rebecca Kingsford is technically not a Kathmandu Coast to Coast newbie, last year's weather-altered event means she has never raced the original course. But that doesn't mean she doesn't know what she is in for, finishing fourth and just missing out on a podium spot, stamping her mark as one to watch in this year's event.

Relatively new to the multisport scene, Kingsford has a lot of depth in endurance racing and is arguably one of New Zealand's most consistent triathletes. While only picking up kayaking before last year's race, she has shown she can compete with the best after taking the win at the recent Rasdex River Classic Kayak race.

Hannah Lund rounds out the top five women. Finishing fifth overall in last year's race and taking out the Open Women's division has undoubtedly given her the confidence to know she can compete at the elite level.

“The women’s race continues to have huge depth in terms of the field. There is so much talent in women’s adventure sport in New Zealand currently and this is evident in the Women’s Elite Kathmandu Coast to Coast field,” said Race Director Glen Currie. “There are ten women that can easily make the podium this year, making for an exciting battle at the front.”

Top 10 seeded women, 2023 Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day

Seed Name Bib #

1 Simone Maier 11

2 Elina Ussher 12

3 Fiona Dowling 13

4 Rebecca Kingsford 14

5 Hannah Lund 16

6 Sarah Jenkins 17

7 Sez Peddie 18

8 Holly Weston 19

9 Kathryn Bunckenburg 20

10 Gill Fullen 40

New men’s champion guaranteed at this year’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 09:00:23 GMT

With no previous champions on the start line in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast Men’s Longest Day, this year’s event is predicted to be one of the most exciting races in years.

Christchurch-based athlete Sam Manson is tipped to take line honours, wearing the hotly contested number one bib as he lines up on Saturday morning at Kumara Beach. Having spent many hours on the course in the build-up to the race, thanks to his job as a river and mountain guide with TopSport, his advantage of knowing key lines and shortcuts may well have been lost due to the recent storm that passed through over the weekend.

“We’ve had 200 cumecs down the river in the last few days, which has no doubt changed the original lines. This opens it right up and will be a brand new course to every athlete – no one will have an advantage based on their previous knowledge,” says Race Director Glen Currie.

While no stranger to the podium, Manson came agonisingly close to winning his maiden title in 2021, only to be reeled in on the final bike ride to finish second, within 10 minutes of eventual winner Dougal Allan. But with Allan not starting due to his recent selection in the America’s Cup team as one of the four cyclors, and last year’s winner Braden Currie not returning to defend his title, this year’s event is seen as Manson’s best chance yet to take out the World Championship title.

Thanks to our borders reopening, allowing international visitors to compete once again, Hobart’s Alex Hunt is excited to be back after a few years away from the race. Competing in his fifth Kathmandu Coast to Coast, the number two seeded athlete has a second, third and sixth place already to his name, meaning all eyes will be on the one position needed to claim to complete his podium collection.

With multisport races in Australia few and far between, Hunt last competed in early October at the Freycinet Challenge, where he had a great battle with his brother Robbie Hunt, who pipped him at the post by a mere 30 seconds. Seeded sixth, Robbie is definitely one to watch and could be a surprise podium finisher come late Saturday afternoon.

“It’s really exciting that potentially we could have an Australian champion at this year’s event. With the borders restricting internationals from competing in previous years, it’s great to have this world-class event back to full strength, knowing that the best of the best will be standing on the start line,” adds Currie.

Rounding out the top three is local Ryan Kiesanowski, who is a late inclusion to this year's Longest Day event due to an injury to his calf muscle in September. But while Kiesanowski may lack the hours in training compared to his competitors, he more than makes up for it in his mental toughness, shown in the 2022 event where he raced with a broken toe, finishing an incredible third place overall.

Making his way into the top-seeded athletes for the first time, Hamish Elliot is no stranger to the event. Lining up for his fourth Kathmandu Coast to Coast, he is excited to test himself against the best and see how he can put all the pieces of the puzzle together with an eye on the prize come race day.

A solid build-up has seen him take out the top spot alongside teammate Robbie Hunt at Australia's Red Bull Defiance in August and the Challenge Wanaka Multi in late October. Known for his speed on the run, Elliot will be one to watch as he heads through Goat Pass and aims to build a solid lead before hitting the water.

With the top four athletes having competed in the event previously, making his debut at this year's Kathmandu Coast to Coast is fifth seed Tayla Harrison. Having originally planned to compete in the 2-Day Team with his father last year, Harrison decided to go all in and enter the Elite category after last year's cancellation due to COVID.

With a background in cycling as a junior, the 28-year-old from Christchurch has had to juggle training with his day job as a builder. With a steady schedule throughout the year, Harrison tested himself against the best in last year's Motu Challenge, placing a very creditable third behind Sam Manson and Dougal Allan.

With no COVID to change last-minute plans and a clear weather forecast for the weekend, the 41 ^st edition of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is all set to be one of the best. “There’s a real buzz in the atmosphere as we head into the final few days before the race. For many of the athletes, this is their third attempt to compete in this iconic event, with plenty of hours (and years) spent getting themselves to the start line,” says Currie. “The hard work is done – the only left is to get out there, race hard and enjoy it.”

Seed Name Bib #

1 Sam Manson 2

2 Alex Hunt 3

3 Ryan Kiesanowski 44

4 Hamish Elliott 4

5 Tayla Harrison 7

6 Robbie Hunt 31

7 Robbie Savage 5

8 Bradley McNamara 8

9 Nathan Peterson 9

10 Lachie Brownlie 24

Podcast - S4 Ep 5 - The Final Countdown

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 04:00:31 GMT

The start line is in sight for the 2023 Kathmandu Coast to Coast and in the final countdown to race day, we are joined this Wednesday by Race Director, Glen Currie to share any last-minute updates.

Keith Reilly from the Kayak Safety Team gives us an update on the latest river conditions and offers some key tips on race day.

Glen Currie, Race Director, shares his thoughts on who he thinks will be hard to beat come race days, as well as a few sneaky athletes who are ones to watch.

We also share Sophie Beaumont’s excitement as she heads to the start line after 2 years of training.

Listen online here.

More Than Just a Race

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 03:55:53 GMT

Glenn Livingston is no stranger to the Kathmandu Coast to Coast, but this year's motivation is a little different, as he takes on the 2023 edition to spread awareness and raise vital funds for Epilepsy New Zealand and their Seizure Smart Programmes.

Whether it’s racing to win, ticking off a bucket list item, or supporting a cause, every athlete who lines up for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is there for a reason. And Christchurch-based Glenn Livingstone is no different. Having competed in the iconic eventnine times before, Glen’s main motivation as he takes on the 2023 edition is to spread awareness and raise vital funds for Epilepsy New Zealand and their Seizure Smart Programmes.

His relationship with the organisation is deeply personal. Forty years ago, Glen started to experience small twitches before they culminated in a seizure while at a camp. He was diagnosed with Petit Mal Epilepsy, which involves brief and sudden lapses of consciousness.

The Kathmandu Coast to Coast is an event that has got in Livingston’s blood, but he now feels he can’t go out there and compete just for himself. “I want to race to raise the profile of Epilepsy New Zealand and the work they do to support people who live with Epilepsy. I want to destigmatise it and own it because I have the condition myself. And to demonstrate to people that those who live with Epilepsy can still participate in a reasonably normal life. Go out, set goals, and achieve them”, he adds.

Epilepsy is diagnosed after a person experiences at least two unprovoked seizures caused due to a disruption to electrical activity in the brain, leading to a change in a person’s movement, behaviour, level of awareness and feelings. There are over 40 types of Epilepsy, and seizures vary significantly between people, with approximately 1% of the New Zealand population currently living with the condition.

The knowledge and understanding of Epilepsy aren’t well known to most people, especially those in their younger years, with 1 in 200 students living with epilepsy in New Zealand. Epilepsy is so much more than just seizures, and the impact on concentration, memory and learning can have lasting effects. Epilepsy can significantly impact a child’s experience at school due to the impact of seizures and medication. The stigma and discrimination still felt by many living with epilepsy today can also contribute to these difficulties.

Epilepsy New Zealand aims to educate and provide resources to reduce the impact on those affected. By providing education, knowledge, and awareness through the Seizure Smart Learning Programmes, they can support Epilepsy Warriors to lead lives of choice and control through mana-enhancing support.

“Supporting Epilepsy Warriors is about honouring and empowering people who live with Epilepsy who continue to fight through the odds, are determined, don’t give up and want to break down the stigma and discrimination that living with this condition can bring,” says Livingstone.

Glen is raising funds as he trains for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast 2023, which will equip communities with the knowledge and tools to support people with Epilepsy.

To find out more about Glen’s journey and support his worthwhile cause, please visit www.epilepsy.org.nz/you-can-help/support-our-current-appeal

Sports Psychology Tips for River Anxiety

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 03:56:13 GMT

Megan Blakely has a PhD in Human Factors Psychology (Performance and Human Error or Cognitive Ergonomics for those unfamiliar). She has been published in scientific journals and teaches/coordinates Psychology and Biology classes at the University of Canterbury. She has done five Coast to Coast events, including the Longest Day.

She has provided the words below to help those anxious about heading down the Waimakariri River (aimed at newbies), providing an insight into the cognitive side of kayaking rather than about your paddle skills.

Putting some context to your anxiety is the first step because it helps you understand why that panic can be so strong. It's because you're smart! Yes, the frontal cortex is where you experience emotions like anxiety (and where your intelligent thought lives), and if you have a big brain, you have the potential for big anxiety (not at all insulting people who aren't anxious). We are biologically predisposed to fear certain things. Babies will actively crawl away from spiders and snakes before exposure to them. A heap of research shows we avoid things that could hurt us before we've been taught to - it's biologically predetermined. So when you put yourself in the mighty beast of the river, you are fighting your biology and brain, which are trying to keep you safe.

You may know something about the autonomic nervous system. It's automatic, so you can't control it without some very purposeful thought (we'll get to that). It's the system that controls your fight, flight or freeze response which is at play on the river. The way you react depends on environmental factors, but I'm sure we've all seen someone freeze on a rapid (including ourselves) and stop paddling. The most helpful thing to do in this situation is to kindly tell the person to keep paddling because if you scream at them, yell at them to get out of the way or even push their boat out of the way (sadly, I've heard of all these happen), you will make it worse for everyone on the river. The freeze response occurs because - and we imagine a dinosaur scenario here for a minute - the threat is impossible to run from and too hard to fight, so we stay still in the hope we aren't seen. Obviously, this is not a good response on the river.

The frontal cortex is also where our volitional control (willing ourselves to go forward) is resourced. We also process risk perception here. Interestingly, I did some research that showed when you've run a marathon, your perception of risk on mountain bike cycleways increases. Also, running uses a great deal of cognitive resource in both volitional control and the computationally demanding nature of movement of the body. You can replenish this resource by resting, but we're not in a position to do that here. Because you've just finished a run, you will be cognitively fatigued.

Along with your volitional control and risk perception, executive function is also resourced in the frontal cortex. Executive function is your ability to quickly and accurately process information, like where to be on a rapid. During the event, we are likely exhausting our volitional control, making quick decisions, and moving our bodies which are demanding. If you add anxiety to that, the system is overloaded. Our brains can't multi-task, and anxiety takes up so much 'space' you can't pick the best lines or go fast, no matter how much you've practised.

The good news is you can do lots about this. Like any human research, some will work for you, and others won't. Performance under pressure by Ceri Evans labels your fight, flight, and freeze system the red brain, which is not a good place to be while on the river. He also talks about the blue brain, relaxed chill and how we know the best athletes are right before and during a big race. Give the book a read if you're interested, it has some general ideas to calm your automatic nervous system.

Some useful paddling-specific things are -

Firstly, we need more time to learn complex kayak skills than we're allowed in kayaking. You see (or have explained), watch, copy, and then off. If you make a mistake (swim), ideally, you should go back and rerun it, but that rarely happens. We don't have a lot of opportunities to learn it properly, so we just stew on the unknown. The first step is learning from a good source. Visualisation is just as effective a learning tool as doing, when done in conjunction with physical practice. Many golfers visualise their perfect swing millions of times without lifting a club. This is tapping into our intrinsic learning, which is so automatic that you don't have to think about it. Driving is very intuitive to us; that's because we've done a lot of it, but think back to when we had to break it down into steps and how hard it was. However, sometimes you don't get to do as much of something as you'd like to protect from injury or access issues. This is where videos are beneficial, you're seeing an expert going through a tricky part that you can learn from. The crucial element of visualisation is to use all your senses and muscles and how it FEELS, lifting your edge, paddling like mad with your arms etc. Elite performers all use this skill, but it takes practice, so start now. The beauty is you'll have some intrinsic knowledge when you hit the feature, and it will be a more relaxed experience.

Positive psychology recommends we focus on our positive traits. Much research shows if you try to improve your weaknesses, you'll not get far and waste a lot of energy, but if you focus on what you're already good at and grow that, it will overshadow the bad. What are you good at in the boat? Balance? Eating when others struggle? Fast cadence? Whatever it is, really ace that!

People grow in safe places. If you have to take a chicken line or portage, do it. Don't let people shame you (shame on them), and do whatever makes you comfortable. The reason for this is that the only way to get confident is to feel safe, and if you are constantly out of your comfort zone, you will get exhausted and overwhelmed and risk the 'red brain' taking over, making it worse.

Stay away from people's horror stories. These people don't even realise how negative they are and often do it to make themselves feel better/more important.

Surround yourself with people who have faith in you. As humans, we are acutely aware of those around us and their opinion of us. If there's no room for a growth mindset and encouragement, ditch them. If it's a coach, find a new one!

Where you put your attention matters. We are very good at tuning things out, so if you focus on the perfect line, I mean dead focus, you won't even see those big waves, and you'll get to the end and wonder where they were.

Teach yourself to find a calm spot if you feel your anxiety climbing, known as grounding. There are beautiful beaches in the gorge, waterfalls, and even just a boring beach that, if you were sitting there, you'd be safe. Tell yourself you can eddy out and sit there if you need to. Take yourself to that feeling, and you will shift from the fight, flight or freeze system into the calming system.

Cognitive appraisal is how we label an emotion. Extreme excitement and worry bear the same physiological response, rapid heart, pupil changes etc. Think of the difference between a car you're driving rolling and a roller coaster, same physical feeling, different cognitive appraisal. The goal is to label the anxiety as excitement, smile (which also tells your nervous system everything is ok) and treat it like a great adventure. Fake it 'til you make it is the theme here.

If you go in calm, things will slow down, and you'll be able to concentrate, make better choices, and brace or change strokes as needed.

Lastly, avoidance of anxiety makes it worse. Feelings are ok, and trying to avoid them will only make them bigger. Keep challenging yourself to feel safe, and your paddling will keep improving.

Still have a question? You can reach Megan on Megan.Jayne.blakely@gmail.com

Podcast – S4 Ep 4: Getting Race Ready

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 20:15:09 GMT

With Raceday just around the corner this podcast is dedicated to making the most of the training and skills that you have so you can perform to your potential on race day.

To help us achieve this we catch up with Keith Reilly who leads the Kayak Safety team for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast. Keith will give us an update on the latest river conditions and offer key tips to make sure that you can enjoy your day on the famous Waimakariri river.

Sam Manson is a lead contender for the Men's Longest Day Field which will see a new Champion Crowned in 2023. There are no returning champions so this year gives us the opportunity to see a new winner crowned. We look forward to finding out from Sam how he structures his last few weeks of training to give himself the best chance of performing to his potential.

We wrap up the show with Sophie Beuamont who after 2 years of training has the Coast to Coast 2 day in her sights. We look forward to hearing how she is going with just a few weeks left before the big dance!

Listen online here.

Flying Fi

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 21:55:05 GMT

Irish-born Fiona Dowling will again line up at Kumara Beach for the Longest Day event, hoping to go a few spots better and claim the elusive championship title. She chats with Brian Ashby about her love of multisport, and her hopes for the perfect race come February.

If there’s one simple message that can be taken from the women’s Longest Day in recent years, it’s that age is no barrier. Simone Maier and Elina Ussher are both on the wrong side of 40, yet neither is showing any signs of slowing down and are still smashing out super impressive times. Perhaps a little demoralising for the chasers, but then they know what level they need to rise to if they want to step onto the top spot on the podium. And reaching that level seems tantalisingly close for Christchurch-based Physiotherapist and Pilates Instructor Fiona Dowling.

The Kilkenny-born multisporter won the two-day race in 2014 and has gone on to finish third in the one-day race on four separate occasions! With a recent third place in the Motu Challenge, she probably almost has enough bronze to build a replica model of Dublin’s Molly Molone statue!

Schooled in Kilkenny, Fiona Dowling headed university in Dublin before coming to New Zealand in her early/mid-twenties. An active childhood didn’t include stomping around in the mountains or going down rivers. “I did a lot of horse riding and show jumping. I guess all those other outdoor things were pretty new to me when I came to New Zealand”.

What drew the physiotherapy graduate to this part of the world? “I knew I wanted to work overseas, explore and work somewhere different. New Zealand was a good place to come and work as a physiotherapist – they were looking for physios from Ireland and England in the year before I graduated.”

The move into multisport was gradual, with fitness having been neglected as she buried her head in the books. Shortly before the move down under, Dowling started running and entering local sprint-distance triathlons. “After a bit of time spent travelling, I arrived here and involved myself in running as a way to meet people. I met a few multisporter and the off-road running appealed.”

Surprisingly, given her strength in the boat, kayaking was the last of the three disciplines she picked up. “Over the years, it’s become more of my strength, with no particular reason for that. It takes a few years to get stronger if you don’t come from a water sports background, but I’ve always found the balance side of things ok.”

Fi Dowling’s first visit to the Coast to Coast was in 2014, and it made people sit up and take notice as she crossed the line first in the two-day race. “I had limited experience and had no expectations. Even though the kayaking went quite well, I was fairly nervous. At the same time, I knew I’d trained pretty hard.” Even though she was living in Wellington at the time, then coach Michael Jacques had a long association with the race and was able to prepare her accordingly.

A seventh place in her Longest Day debut followed in 2015. Most weekend warriors would be thrilled with that effort, but the analytical Irish woman saw things differently: “I felt very green the first time in the Longest Day, and it was a big learning curve.”

Flying Fi’s first podium followed in 2016, and her times steadily improved, with finishes just a shade over 13 hours in the three years from 2019 to 2021. “I guess I feel like I’m making progress each year. Initially, I was a long time off first and second places, but the races are tighter now.”

Of course, 2022 was a disappointment for so many, with the two-day race being canned and the weather forcing a major rejig for the Longest Day. Fiona Dowling had mixed feelings on her day, which finished with another third place. “We all go to race the regular course, but you can’t control the weather. I certainly would’ve liked a longer kayak section. But I was in a good position in the run compared to previous years, and I suppose I was happy with the longer ride in the end.”

Looking ahead to 2023, Fi Dowling has a dream of what the perfect day would look like. “I believe I can still make gains overall on the course. A perfect day would have low flows on the run and in the kayak… A dry, hot summer! Actually, an 8am or 9am start would suit the body clock better, but I don’t think I can twist Race Director Glen Currie’s arm on that one”.

Fiona Dowling will be just shy of her 36th birthday on race day and her best years are ahead. Like so many others, one of the biggest challenges will be juggling her professional life with her sporting career. Her cherished Pilates business funds her Multisport pursuits.

Dowling’s family back in Ireland are fascinated by and supportive of her sporting endeavours. “My Mum and sister have been out here for a race in the past. There’s nothing similar in Ireland, so it’s a bit of a novelty”.

For the record, Fi Dowling doesn’t drink Kilkenny. “I don’t even like Guinness either. People think that’s why I live here now – I’ve been banished from Ireland. I’m not a beer or lager girl!”

Ballot entries open early for 2024 Kathmandu Coast to Coast

Sun, 08 Jan 2023 22:57:41 GMT

Ballot entries for the 2024 Kathmandu Coast to Coast open on 16 January 2023

Organisers of the iconic multisport race, the Kathmandu Coast to Coast, have announced that entries for the 2024 event will open a month earlier than in previous years, allowing successful athletes almost a year to train for the 42nd edition, which takes place on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 February 2024.

Applications to the ballot will open on Monday, 16 January at 9am, and close on Wednesday 22 February 2023 at 5pm. Successful applications will be advised late in February and have a week to secure their spot. “All athletes are required to have their Grade 2 Kayaking certificate to compete in the event. Opening entries early and letting successful athletes know whether they have secured a place allows first-time athletes extra time to gain their Grade 2 before winter arrives,” says Race Director Glen Currie.

The Kathmandu Coast to Coast has become a rite of passage for multisport athletes worldwide, with over 20,000 people having completed the event in its 40+ year history. The upcoming 2023 event will see a record number of athletes lining up on Kumara beach, with the 42 ^nd edition expected to be just as popular. “With the 2022 two-day race cancelled due to Covid, the One Day event rejigged due to weather, and international athletes now allowed to enter the country, spots for the 2024 edition will be in hot demand”, Currie adds.

The event numbers are determined due to the DOC concession allowing up to 1,000 athletes over Goat Pass. While two and three-person teams add more athletes to the overall numbers competing during the two days, it does mean that, unfortunately, people miss out each year. “It is great that the event is once again sort after by people seeking an adventure. The ballot system is the fairest way we can come up with to allocate these entries. Opening entries early let athletes know they have a spot as early as possible and can start planning accordingly. Also, with the ballot open after the event, those athletes that compete this year will still have the opportunity to see if they can go even faster next year!” says Currie.

The 2024 Mountain Run event will be held on Friday, 9 February 2024, with ballot entries opening on Friday, 1 September.

Wakatipu High School win Kathmandu Coast to Coast Academy prize

Thu, 05 Jan 2023 17:00:00 GMT

Queenstown Young Guns set to take on 2023 Kathmandu Coast to Coast

This year’s 2023 Kathmandu Coast to Coast Academy prize pack has been awarded to Queenstown’s Wakatipu High School, heading off a string of high school entries from around the country.

The team of three, which includes Josh Watson, Pete Davis and Tom Schenk, have won a Two-Day School Team entry into the sold-out event, a kayak from Barracuda Kayaks for their school, a $1000 clothing pack from principal partner Kathmandu, and coaching sessions from Kathmandu Coast to Coast Ambassadors.

“Queenstown and the Lakes District are known for their multisporters. Recent winners Braden Currie, Dougal Allan and Simone Maier are all based within the region, so it’s great to see their influence rubbing off on the next generation,” says Currie.

The Academy's primary goal is to provide young people with knowledge and equipment to encourage them to participate in multisport activities and complete the Kathmandu Coast to Coast event.

“Making the Kathmandu Coast to Coast accessible to all ages has been a top priority for many years. We are able to provide this opportunity to secondary school students thanks to the ongoing support of our race partners, including our main partner Kathmandu,” Currie added.

Watson, who will be tackling the kayak section of the race, has enjoyed getting into multisport while still at secondary school. “I love the challenge, especially the mental side. I keep pushing myself to overcome any barriers I encounter while racing. I tell myself it's not a sprint; it's about managing my energy levels to enable me to keep going.”

Watson will be joined by Davis, who will be tackling the three bike sections, and Shenk, who will be running up and over Goat Pass. With a joint love of multisport and having previously competed in races together, it was an easy decision to form a three-person team and enter the Kathmandu Coast to Coast. “We’re all super excited to compete together and look forward to getting out on the course,” says Watson.The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Exciting challenges attracts international competitors

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 18:39:19 GMT

No doubt Multisporters will be amping for the months ahead after the weather wreaked havoc last summer. With the 2022 two-day race cancelled and the one-day event rejigged, everyone who was locked and loaded will be desperate to get back onto the course-proper in the 2023 race to finally test that well-built fitness.

Given the nature of the beast, it’s remarkable that 1992 and 2010 are the only other years when the weather has forced (one day) course tweaking’s, although in 2004, then Race Director Robin Judkins made the call to adjust the cut-off times out of the mountain run. The worsening conditions meant a great many didn’t make it onto the river, but the events stringent safety rules and decisions meant everyone made it home safely to their families. The two-day race in 2020 also ran over Arthur’s Pass rather than Goat Pass.

Many of the current competitors weren’t even born when the 1992 race stormed out off Kumara Beach. Elton John and George Michael were top of the charts with Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me, Jim Bolger was Prime Minister, and Nelson Mandela was not long out of prison, but still a couple of years away from being elected South African President.

Steve Gurney had won the first two of his nine Longest Day titles and had earlier fought out some epic battles with Australia’s John Jacoby. Those battles captured the public’s imagination and had drawn many into the sport. “Goon” was undoubtedly the men’s favourite heading into 92, while the incomparable Kathy Lynch who had massacred the women’s course record the previous year looked unstoppable.

Naivety probably prevented the 1984 race being adjusted. It was only year two of the Coast To Coast, but by 92, the stakes were much higher with bigger fields and a much greater profile for the event. Judkins projected the image of a high octane- high altitude Mad Professor, but underneath the zaniness lay a conservative and admirable safety plan that has laid a solid foundation for the event’s long term viability.

30 years on, memories are a little vague and sometimes conflicting. However one thing not in dispute was the weather. Over 120mls of rain poured down in a four hour period, creating carnage for day one of the two race. It was a no brainer that the kayak leg was not going happen- the jet boats couldn’t get on the water. Robin Judkins also pulled the pin on the mountain run for the one-day competitors.

The race started later in the morning as traffic management and marshalling adjustments were made- remember that these were pre internet days, and Maxwell Smart’s shoe phone/cell phone was still a long way off becoming something everyone had. Getting the messages to athletes, support crews and officials wasn’t easy. So, what transpired was a ride to the Deception Footbridge, a run up and over Arthur’s Pass to Klondyke Corner, and a 160-kilometre ride to Sumner Beach. Ow!

In the women’s race, people were still learning just what a fiercely strong competitor Kathy Lynch was. The poor conditions seemed to matter not a jot, and some have suggested that she would’ve even been happier if a volcanic eruption could’ve been thrown into the mix as well.

It was a different story for the blokes. 1987 Longest Day winner Russell Prince was a real off road- back country mountain man. Two-time defending champion Steve Gurney was his usual micro prepped self and had every section of the race mapped out in his head. Keeping the boats out of the water, running on the roads, and extending the final cycle naturally enough were not features that they had factored into their planning.

But then neither had South Africa’s Rockley Montgomery. To be fair, the then 33-year-old triathlete and multisporter really wasn’t sure what he was facing!

In the first decade of the event, the success of Australia’s John Jacoby lured many into thinking that when the internationals turned up, it was game on. Subsequent history has clearly shown we weren’t giving our local blokes the credit they deserved. A slightly different scenario for the women, with Canada’s Emily Miazga, Finland’s Elina Ussher, and Germany’s Simone Maier all soaking up plenty of titles, but those rock stars all live here, and we quite rightly claim them as kiwis. When South African Robin Owen crossed the line first at New Brighton in 2018, she was the first non-resident in the women’s field to do so.

Rockley Montgomery justifiably arrived with a big reputation. Born in Durban, his family moved to Johannesburg when he was at primary school. Like many kids in this country, he tried a range of sports, but middle-distance running proved to be his forte and he excelled in the 800, 1500 and 3000 metre events. Montgomery reflects on a very kiwi style approach to the sport: “my coach based everything on Arthur Lydiard’s philosophies, and all my heroes were the great New Zealand middle distance stars.”

When the school days were over, Montgomery headed to university on a sports scholarship and by his own description, sort of fell into teaching. But first there was a three-year stint in the South African Air Force- compulsory military training one of the rules for young people under the apartheid regime. “You had no choice in that matter- go to jail or do your service!”

In his early-mid-twenties, Montgomery was the perfect age for the burgeoning sport of triathlon with the Republic launching its own copycat version of the Hawaiian Ironman. “There were all sorts of things: biathlons, duathlons, quadrathlons- it just sort of fitted me perfectly.” In the early non-copyright days, South Africa actually had two Ironman. In Johannesburg, it was actually a Multisport race with a 30-kilometre kayak section instead of the swim. “The water was too cold for a swim, but it was a different story in Durban where a swim, bike, run Ironman was raced. “Montgomery was the dominant force and top of the pile in both versions of the sport.

There’s a perception that Montgomery wasn’t any great shakes in the boat, particularly in the white water, however his time in the military honed his kayaking skills in a range of different scenarios. “After the airforce, I got into a K1, but the sport being what it was there were many opportunities and found myself doing a lot of racing in Spain- sprint canoeing, down river racing. I pretty much got involved in everything.”

Everything included winning a European event called the Diamond Man. The event described itself as the world championship of kayaking, swimming, cycling, and running. “Over a couple of beers, one of the kiwis suggested I come down for the Coast to Coast because it’s the World Multisport Championship race. My manager got hold of Robin and that was that!”

Arriving in New Zealand and driving over to the West Coast, Montgomery wasn’t intimidated by the terrain, but the weather was a different story. Despite assurances from kiwis that it would be quite similar to the Republic, he was in for a shock, but then he wasn’t the only one. “On the day it was snowing and miserable and I don’t know what the temperature was, but it felt like minus 500!”

Just like the kiwi starters, Montgomery was also gutted by the course change. “I’d put in a huge amount of work in the boat that season to be able to do that long distance paddle and when it was canned it was sort of….Awww. My only cycling had been 40k stages in standard distance triathlons, so riding over Porters Pass was billmen hard. It was a long-long ride for me and actually bothered me more than the weather.”

To nobody’s surprise, Kathy Lynch prevailed in the women’s race, but the men’s event was fairly tight. Montgomery attacked on the first cycle and then spent the day holding on. He looked more like a Springbok blindside flanker than a stereotypical wiry kiwi multisporter as he stomped up and over Arthur’s Pass. He was never more than a minute or two ahead of the chasers, eventually arriving first onto Sumner Beach ahead of the accomplished adventure racer Jeff Mitchell, with Gurney third and Russell Prince fourth.

As defending champion, Montgomery came back in 1993 relishing the chance to race on the course proper crossing the line in a respectable tenth overall. “I was sort of over the hill by the time I raced Coast to Coast the first time. I didn’t have a big build-up here for the race in 93 so didn’t really know the lines to take through the mountain run.” Despite a respectable 3-hour 17 run Montgomery found himself trailing the likes of Gurney and Jacoby by 20 minutes at Klondyke Corner. “After that I thought there’s no way I’m going to hurt myself now and I’ll just enjoy the river.”

Hunt them down

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 18:17:10 GMT

Tasmania's Alex Hunt returns to the Longest Day after being shut out due to Covid 19

Covid and climate change calamities have a made it pretty tough going for Kathmandu Coast to Coasters in recent times. Spare a thought for the International competitors who until now, have been pretty much locked out.

To find the last time an international star won the men’s Longest Day, you have to trawl your way back to 1993 when the great John Jacoby won the last of his three titles. Since 2013, the top spot has been dominated by three names: Braden Currie, Sam Clark and Dougal Allan. The two most likely to end the dominance of the trio, are perennial contender Sam Manson and Tasmania’s Alex Hunt.

Interestingly, in 2020, both Hunt and Manson combined with Ryan O’Connor in the TopSport Kayaking2 team to finish third overall in the Three person teams race. That was the last time Hunt got to kit-up for the big race, as Covid kicked in, and the Government circled the wagons to try and keep the virus at bay.

Prior to that, his Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day career was trending in the right direction and as his experience levels grew. He finished third in 2016, sixth in 2017, second in 2018, and third again in 2019.

In 2020, he wanted to be involved but didn’t feel he was in good enough shape. “I’d just bought a house and it was in pretty bad condition- life got in the way really!” Then of course Covid kicked in and limited his options, although that was probably a blessing in disguise from a home improvement point of view. “I enjoyed being at home and getting stuff done, but by last year I started to get a bit over that and get itchy feet again!”

Tasmania managed to avoid the massive long term lockdowns that afflicted mainland Australia. Training opportunities weren’t really restricted and local races started to come back on line in Tasmania last year. “Not many Multisport races as such, but I’ve done plenty of running races, bike races and kayak events to keep it interesting”

By the time the 2023 Kathmandu Coast to Coast comes around, Alex Hunt’s 32nd birthday will have passed, and he’s conscious of the fact that he’s probably entering his peak years. “My partner and I have just had our first kid- a daughter, about ten weeks ago , so things are going to get busy. I’m at that point where I want to do it and I want to do it well.” The engineer says he’s probably going to look at going half time at work until the race. “It’s just about that extra bit of volume which I think I’ve lacked in the past. A bit of extra strength at the back end of the boat and on that final bike to New Brighton”.

Hunt is grateful to be living in Hobart where he says the surrounds come close to replicating the South Island course. “Having said that, there’s nothing quite like spending time on the course, so I think the plan is to come over in December and spend a bit of time with the Top Sport crew on the river and the run course”

Conditions wise, Hunt says he struggles a bit in the heat; “that’s probably a little unusual for an Aussie, but being from Tasmania, it’s probably a little more in line with the South Island. I prefer it to be a bit more cold and miserable to be honest!”

Whatever the conditions, and whoever else lines up, it’ll just be great to finally welcome back Alex Hunt, and all the other international competitors who’ve been locked out for the past couple of years!

Ford the driving force behind C2C

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 19:14:11 GMT

THF and Grey Ford recommit to the Kathmandu Coast to Coast

Team Hutchinson Ford and Grey Ford are excited to announce today they will be continuing their support for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast, furthering their partnership for a further two years.

“It’s a fantastic event and we love being a part of it and helping to make it happen,” said John Hutchinson, Dealer Principal. “We are also in the unique position with a Ford dealership at the start and the finish of the event, so the sponsorship makes perfect sense to us.”

Team Hutchinson and Grey Ford will be supplying a range of Ford vehicles including the new Next Generation Ranger and Everest as well as Ford Transits and Escapes to support race logistics.

“John and the teams share a real sense of adventure with us at the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.” Said Race Director Glen Currie.

Currie added. “Their vehicles really resonate with the lifestyle of a coast to coaster, and to have their dealerships in both Greymouth on the West Coast, and in Christchurch, straddling each end of our event is quite unique, but very accessible for our competitors and supporters.”

“Our team have had the pleasure of driving a range of Fords over the past two years and we can’t speak highly enough of them. My favourite is the Everest, it really fits out family and all the activities we love to do, from mountain biking, to skiing to heading into the hills to run or hike.”

If you’re in the market for a new or used Ford, please head down to either THF in Christchurch or Grey Ford in Greymouth and catch up with the friendly team.

One day Teams event sets blistering pace

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 19:49:58 GMT

Team OSM have inked their name into Kathmandu Coast to Coast history, becoming the inaugural winners of the One Day Teams category.

40 years after the first competitors took to the start line, creating a culture of multisport racing in New Zealand and around the world, 14 teams did the same in the new Mixed Teams category, where Hamish Elliott, Rachel Clarke, and Louis Crosby completed the 243-kilometre course in 9 hours 57 minutes 05.

Elliott, a Twizel-based builder blitzed the 30.5-kilometre mountain run faster than any other competitor on the day in 2:57:27, after cyclist Crosbie set the team up by completing the first cycle leg in 1 hour 37 minutes and 21 seconds, only a minute down on the elite men competing in the Longest Day.

With the flood ravaged Waimakariri Gorge ruled out, forcing a course change, Crosbie had to endure a further forty km on the second bike leg up the Craigieburn cutting and over Porters Pass, before Auckland’s Rachel Clark, one of New Zealand’s best female paddlers was unleashed on the 30 km stretch of the lower Waimak. “They both absolutely smashed their sections of the race; poor louis has had to do a bit more cycling, but I think we all did great as a team.” Said Clark.

“I had never kayaked that section of the river, so it was something pretty new for me, but it’s pretty special that this has been able to go ahead. It’s a pretty special event, there’s so many people down here racing. It’s a crazy time in the world right now, so we were very lucky to have this.”

"Image: Louis Crosby rides towards the kayak leg - Credit: Itch

Elliott agreed as he reached the finish of his run at Klondyke. “It was a great atmosphere on the course, everyone was making way, the rivers had their challenges, but all and all it was a great run.”

“The competition was great; the new category is a real credit to the event. It gives you something different, whilst still feeling very much a part of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.”

Enjoying it so much, it’s whetted his appetite for a possible return to the Longest Day in the future. “It’s a beast of an event, but very grateful to be back, it’s cool to be racing here and I’m inspired to come back and maybe race as an individual again.”

Team EMDA captained by previous Mountain Run winner Ben Williams came home in second, stopping the clock in 10 hours 57.02. While team, Earshots, led by David Jaggs claimed the final podium spot in 11:10:53.

Race Director Glen Currie said, “It was great to see be able to add something different to the Kathmandu Coast to Coast, there was real intrigue around how the race would pan out, and I think it's been a really good addition to the event.”

"We’ve had a lot of interest in this category from overseas, from specialist athletes, so I can only see this event getting stronger in the future, once the boarders reopen.”

Inspiring stories as a result of Mountain Run.

Sun, 13 Feb 2022 05:39:28 GMT

Ethan Helliwell leads the Mountain Run competitors over Goat Pass - Credit Marathon Photos

Stories of success and inspiration were a common theme amongst the 56 finishers of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast Mountain Run.

With the Covid 19 Red Traffic light setting forcing the event organisers to switch the date of the Mountain Run to coincide with the famous Longest Day, competitors were treated to the rare experience of sharing the course with the elite athletes. The Mountain Run competitors headed out at 7am from Aickens Corner ahead of the arrival of the Longest Day Competitors. “It was nuts, Braden Currie (World Multisport Champion 2022) passed me at the turn off to go up to Goat Pass Hutt and within about 300 metres he’d made 50 metres on me,” said Mountain Run winner Ethan Helliwell.

“I just kept thinking that he’s got to go on and then get on a bike and the kayak and I was pretty buggered at that point just doing the Mountain Run, but I’d definitely like to give the Longest Day a crack at some point, for sure.”

Helliwell covered the 30.5-kilometre course over Goat Pass in 3 hours 34 minutes 42, Glenmark’s Ben O’Carroll, who was competing in his first ever running event, came home in 3:50:01 to claim second with Robert Loveridge third in 3 hours 56 flat, which also saw him take out the men’s Classic division (50-59 years).

O’Carroll recently ran 111 km from Cheviot Hotel to Christchurch in a bid to raise awareness for men’s mental health and suicide prevention.

With excessive weather fronts pounding the Main Divide in the lead up, many, like Helliwell were holding their breath for the course to be changed to the Plan B course over the Otira Viaduct but were pleasantly surprised when the call was made to run the original course. “It was pretty good, I think we struck it pretty lucky with the river depths, it was a major change from the practice run that we did at Christmas, so conditions wise, it was awesome.”

“I thought it was going to be high, but it wasn’t bad, I wouldn’t complain at all, there was still some fast-moving stuff which made it awesome.”

Rachel Rule stopped the clock in 4:36:52 to win the women’s Mountain Run title and finish 9 ^th overall, while 14-year-old Northland school girl Jodie Wellwood continued the inspirational theme, impressing with a 4:51:41 to finish second and take out the school’s category. Anna Gregan took out the 3 ^rd spot on the podium with a time of 4:55:30.

Further results can be found here.

https://www.coasttocoast.co.nz/2022-results

Image: Jodie Wellwood - Credit Marathon Photos

Currie returns to claim World Championship number 4

Sat, 12 Feb 2022 07:37:45 GMT

Wanaka’s Braden Currie has won the 40th Anniversary Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day, adding a fourth Multisport World Championship title to his name.

Currie, who has specialised in Ironman for the past six years, only secured an entry into the famous race that runs, kayaks and cycles 243 kilometres just 48 hours prior to the race, stopping the clock in 9 hours 45 minutes and 23 seconds.

“It’s incredible, it really is! I’ve always wanted to come back and race this race, I love it, I just love it. I love the course, it’s just the most incredible thing, it means so much, it’s the most incredible feeling.”

Defending Champion Dougal Allan worked his way into second after suffering an injury to his foot on the 30.5 km Mountain Run over Goat Pass.

“It’s good to get to the finish line, there was a little bit of doubt there at times."

“I don’t know what to say really, it was tough, it was tough. I couldn’t find a rhythm, but that’s probably what you get when you have a guy like Braden applying pressure on the front all day.”

Allan crossed the line in New Brighton in 10 hours 5 minutes and 34 seconds and has since been taken to hospital for an x-ray.

Image: Bobby Dean crosses the Otira River

Tauranga’s Bobby Dean managed to hold off North Canterbury’s Ryan Kiesanowski by 32 seconds, to claim third, finishing in 10:13:17, with Kiesanowski in fourth with a time of 10:13:49 after the duo battled it out for much of the race.

35-year-old Currie laid out his intentions right from the start, leading for much of the 56-kilometre first ride and establishing a two-minute lead at the first river crossing of the Mountain Run. By the end of the run Currie had stretched it to 9 minutes 30 over Dean, and 14 to Allan and Sam Manson and Kiesanowski.

“It was a huge decision to race and get on the start line, but once you get on the start line there’s only one thing you can do and go out and race. I just had a good day, a good run and a good bike. I knew that the river was going to be so high that if I just stayed in the fast water and kept my kayak upright, I shouldn’t lose too much time and that’s what happened.”

Second seed Sam Mason finished in 10 hours and 26 minutes to claim fifth, while Lyttleton fireman Sam Goodall finished 6th in a time of 10:43:18.

Nathan Shepperd was a further 5 minutes back, securing 7th, Nathan Peterson was another 10 minutes back in 10:58:42, with Tauranga Builder Brad McNamara who stepped up to the elite men’s competition for the first-time finished 9th in 11 hours and fifty seconds.

Caleb Hill rounds out the top 10 elite men in 11:06:21.

Results and times below.

https://www.sportsplits.com/races/kathmandu-coast-to-coast-2022/events/1/

Maier celebrates birthday in style

Sat, 12 Feb 2022 07:37:41 GMT

Simone Maier celebrated her 42 ^nd birthday in style, claiming the Kathmandu Coast to Coast Elite Women’s Longest Day title, her third, in a time of 11 hours 52 minutes and 18 seconds.

The Wanaka-based multisporter held off a strong challenge from four-time champion Elina Ussher, who finished eight minutes behind Maier in 12 hours and four seconds, with Christchurch’s Fiona Dowling just two minutes 46 further back in third place.

“Oh, that was hard! It wasn’t an easy win, but worth fighting for it,” Maier said as she stood in the drizzling rain in New Brighton.

“Today is a special day, it’s the best Birthday present I could make for myself, I’m pretty happy.”

Competitors took off from Kumara Beach on the South Island's West Coast at 5:40 am this morning, with the 40 ^th Anniversary event forced to swap out the usual 70-kilometre kayak through the Waimakariri Gorge due to high river levels with a 115 km bike ride over Porters Pass, before a shorter paddle on the lower reaches of the river.

“That was a real challenge, I feel like I have to come back to be able to do the main course again. I wanted to stop, this was supposed to be my last one, so I’m not quite sure!"

Nelson's Ussher agreed the conditions made for a tough day, but also one she will remember, the 45-year-old completing her 17 ^th Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

“Some quite epic river crossing today in the Mountain Run, so that took a lot of energy out of me, which made me struggle a bit in the first part of the second ride.”

Ussher, who sat in second at the midway point of the race, was passed by Dowling as the pair reached the top of Porters Pass. They then entered the 30 km paddle neck and neck, remaining that way before Ussher got the jump on Dowling with a quicker kayak transition. “I found today really stressful, we hadn’t had any real racing over summer (due to cancelled events) and the rivers were really low and I've been training in my kayak really hard and then the rain arrived on Wednesday night and that was a setback for me really.”

“But it was amazing for us to be able to race!”

Triathlete Rebecca Kingsford made a more than successful debut in the Longest Day, finishing fourth in a time of 12:26:30. Kingsford was one of only two females in the second bunch in the first bike leg, and led into the Mountain Run alongside eventual winner Maier.

Emily Wilson will also be proud of her day out, finishing fifth in 12:33:44, while Renee Wootton and Misa Klascova also enjoyed strong debuts in 12:49:33 and 12:41:22 to claim 6 ^th and 7 ^th .

Hannah Lund was the 8 ^th woman across the finish line, winning the open women's title as well, Rachel Baker claimed 9 ^th with Christchurch’s Tessa Adjuke Dekker rounding out the top 10.

Three time champion gets last minute entry

Sat, 12 Feb 2022 05:25:07 GMT

A last-minute entry will see three-time champion Braden Currie stand on the start line of tomorrows Kathmandu Coast to Coast World Multisport Championship, for the first time in seven years.

With next months Ironman New Zealand now cancelled and the kayak leg of the Longest Day being significantly reduced, or even scrapped due to high river levels, Currie saw an opportunity to race and made a welcomed SOS call to the event owners Mike Davies. “I’ve been trying to get him to come back and race for years, but his focus has been in Ironman, the timings often clashed and also the skills required such as swimming versus kayaking in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast aren’t all that compatible I guess.”

“But it’s great to have him back and let’s see how he goes.”

Race Director Glen Currie, said that while he’s pleased to have his younger brother back on the start line, he had some sage advice for the former champ. “This is the World Championship race, and we want the best people on the start-line, so if he’s prepared to race, even with a limited build up, then I think it’ll make for a great spectacle.”

“But Braden will find it tough, for sure he’s one of the top ironmen of the country but running over Goat Pass when your body isn’t used to it is very taxing. He’ll come out of there feeling it for sure, and then he’s got to sit on a bike for 150kms or more.”

“There’s real depth in our field, possibly more so than when he and I were racing the Kathmandu Coast to Coast, he’s coming up again some amazing athletes that have trained hard all summer and they’ve prepared for tomorrows race. I think they still have just as much chance of winning as they did yesterday.”

The late entry is also set to test old friendships, with Currie now set to square off against great mate and two-time defending champion Dougal Allan, “My view hasn’t changed, you want to race on the best course against the best athletes, so I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s race.”

Braden last won the Coast to Coast in 2015, and finished 2 ^nd in 2017, the first year he competed in both triathlon events and the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

Mental challenge just getting to the start in 2022

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 03:42:44 GMT

Mental strength has often been seen as the fourth discipline of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day. While athletes push their physical limits by biking, running and kayaking 243 kilometres from one side of the South Island to the other, much of it is done in solitude while battling exhaustion. Their ability to silence their inner critic from bombarding them with negative thoughts is what sets apart those that become champion and those that fall agonisingly short.

But even before Saturday’s start line on the West Coast’s Kumara beach, that mental fortitude has been under severe examination in 2022 as described by the top three ranked men, Wanaka’s Dougal Allan, Christchurch’s Sam Manson and Ohoka’s Ryan Kiesanowski.

“When the Covid announcement came out, (the country was moving to the Red-Light system) I was super shattered, I was really confident that the race wasn’t going to be on, based on all the information we’d been given to that point," said Manson, a Canterbury-based kayak and mountain run instructor.

“When it was announced that the one-day race was likely to be back on again, it wasn’t as simple as sweet, let’s get back into it, it was more like, how do I get back into it, so the last 7 or 8 days have been focused on rebuilding that enthusiasm, motivation and spark that I need to be able to win the race.”

“Not only was I wrestling with the uncertainty myself, as a coach I was responding to the disappointment that my 2-day athletes were having from their event being cancelled, and also working through some of the anxiety some of the athletes in the Longest Day were experiencing,” said Allan.

“It’s certainly been a challenging build up, I was set to race the Motu (Challenge),” Kiesanowski commented. "But my flights got cancelled, so I looked at driving up, but I would have been away for days. Twizel (Hard Labour) was canned too, so it’s been a really hard year to get a gauge on where you’re at without any real competition.”

All agreed though, that competing competitively in multisport had prepared them for this sort of disruption. “This will be my 10 ^th Coast to Coast, and I don’t think any of my races have ever gone anywhere near to plan,” said two-time champion Allan.

“I guess in part, that’s what makes it fun. Speed and endurance are one thing. But having to adapt and not let it derail what you’re trying to achieve is a whole other thing altogether,” said Kiesanowski, “that’s a whole different skill and it’s one that often takes a lot of time to develop.”

“There’s 243 kilometres of course and a heap of competitors just as hungry to get to the finish line as you," said Manson, "you can’t expect everything to go your way.”

The next thing to potentially throw the athletes off their stride is the inclement weather. Which could result in the B Course being put into play, thereby sending runners up the viaduct and over State Highway 73 across Arthurs Pass, rather than into Goat Pass and down to Klondyke. Organisers are also assessing whether the 70 kilometre kayak leg can still go ahead or it too could be changed to a gruelling cycle up over Porters Pass.

“I guess that’s the next thing that everyone is talking about isn’t it,” said Kiesanowski.

Allan added, “the reality is, if you want to win the Coast to Coast, you have to be the first to complete whatever’s put in front of you. I’m just really grateful that the event organisers have continued in the same spirit that we do as athletes and found a way to keep this event happening. It’s a real credit to Glen (Currie) and his team."

A decision will be made on any course changes on Friday.

Top 10 women set to battle it out

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 23:21:43 GMT

Expect another close battle at the front of the Elite Women’s field for this year’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day.

Wanaka’s Simone Maier returns to defend the title she won for the second time in 2021, as does the effervescent 4-time champion Elina Ussher, who’s suiting up for her 17th Kathmandu Coast to Coast. Christchurch’s Fiona Dowling’s return to the start line rounds out last year’s podium getters with the trio not surprisingly ranked 1, 2 and 3.

Experienced adventure racer Emily Wilson has been ranked 4th in the women’s elite competition but will wear bib number 272 due to a late entry.

As well as being a regular training partner of two-time champion Simone Maier, giving her a first-hand look at what it takes to win the coveted title, Wilson has plenty of experience of her own to call upon having first raced the Kathmandu Coast to Coast back in 2013. Despite signalling her intention late in the piece to compete in the 40th Anniversary event, her day job in conservation which requires her to spend plenty of time in remote New Zealand, will provide a base fitness that many of her competitors may struggle to replicate.

A type one diabetic, Wilson says she continues to be inspired by one of her earliest memories of the event, when Emily Miazga won the women’s Longest Day for the 3rd time in 2009, giving her the hope of one day being another Emily to win the race. “It's just one of those events that lures you back. You have to dedicate so much of yourself to training, but the buzz you get from others doing the same is just so addictive,” said Wilson.

Below Image: Emily Wilson crosses the Otira River 2019. Credit Radix Nutrition

Like the top 3, Christchurch’s Tessa Ajuke Dekker has found her groove in New Zealand, as well as a real love for multisport and the outdoors. She’s also dedicated countless hours to her pursuit, while also paring up with Christchurch based Coach Flavio Vianna to further hone her craft.

Dekker says explaining the Kathmandu Coast to Coast to her friends and family back in the Netherlands is almost as challenging as competing in the event. “I always have to laugh… smile… they don’t quite get how you can go from one side of the country to the other in one day like we do, but it’s very fun, something I absolutely love.”

Dekker, who will wear bib number 6, but be ranked 5 ^th , gained an appreciation for the event in 2019 where she took out the women’s open tandem section, before picking up a 3 ^rd in the open three-person team the following year. The xx-year-old account manager finished sixth in her debut run at the Longest Day last year.

With weather threatening to disrupt the famous 70-kilometre kayak leg, which would then be replaced with a further 155 km’s of cycling, could really play into Dekkers hands with cycling certainly the strongest of her three disciplines.

Queenstown’s Renee Wootton’s debut into the Longest Day might also throw the cat amongst the pigeons, should the course be changed. Ranked one spot further back than Dekker, the former pro cyclist has the credentials to upset the top 5, especially if the course becomes a duathlon.

The Civil Engineer had signed up to compete last year but was forced out with a badly broken ankle. “When I first heard about the event I was in disbelief. I had never heard of multisport and was honestly a bit shocked the event existed. It seems like such a daunting physical and mental challenge, and the more I thought about it, the more I wanted to do it.”

“You don’t know where your limits are until you go past them, and this seemed like a good opportunity to figure that out. It was also exciting as I had to learn a new skill (kayaking) which has forced me to get out of my comfort zone, be patient, and be resilient.”

Nelson’s Kathryn Bunckenburg is another who’s longed to be back on the start line of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast. Following her win in the open women’s 2-day event in 2017, the Nelson-based outdoor instructor took on the Longest Day in 2018, finishing in 14 hours 50 minutes, but has since been kept away through injury. Her favoured discipline lies in the kayak, evident with two second place finishes in the Waimak and Clutha Classic’s, as well as a victory in the Porirua Grand Traverse.

“The women’s race continues to have the most depth in terms of the field, there is just so much talent in women’s adventure sport in NZ currently and this is evident in the Women’s Elite Coast to Coast field.” Said Race Director Glen Currie.

“Elina Ussher will be competitive there I no doubt about it, she doesn’t have ‘bad’ days on this course and although she has raced it 17 times it will be absolutely no surprise to anyone if she wins again. Maier, Dowling and Wilson will all be hunting podium spots with Maier being unquestionably the favourite to win once again. Although all of the above four women will know that even finishing Top 5 in this field is an achievement especially with names like Bunckenberg, Peddie, Kingsford, Dekker, and Lawrence on the start line. The depth is awesome, and I can’t wait to watch some tight racing once again!”

With borders being closed Mt Hutt Snow Groomer Sez Peddi has taken the chance to focus her attentions on the Longest Day and will line up as the 8 ^th ranked female, while Tirau’s Rebecca Kingsford (9) and Tauranga’s Matilda Lawrence (10) will also be athletes to watch out for as they round out the 2020 Elite Women’s Top 10.

Elite Men's Preview 2022

Sun, 06 Feb 2022 20:41:13 GMT

While last year’s champion Dougal Allan and the two other podium getters Sam Manson and Ryan Kiesanowski return for this week’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day, ranked one, two and three, it’s the next half a dozen elites that perhaps pose the most amount of intrigue in the men’s competition.

The more time Sam Goodall dedicates to multisport the better he becomes with the Lyttleton fireman set to wear bib number 4 for the first time, after he stormed home in 11 hours 36 in 2021, only 5 minutes off third place.

This will be Goodall’s 13th attempt at the event; look for him to make his move in the kayak leg, which is his strongest discipline. “Sam definitely walked the talk last year and came within a whisker of making the podium. I’m sure that would have given him a real confidence boost and a clear understanding of what it’ll take to make that dream a reality,” said race Director Glen Currie.

Image: Sam Goodall begins the kayak leg in 2021

The return of Tauranga’s Bobby Dean in bib number 5 has also got tongues wagging. After sitting out last year due to injury, the 36-year-old dairy farmer recently beat New Zealand’s top marathon runner Dan Jones in the King of the Mount, in Mt Maunganui, halting Jones’ 7-year reign in the event.

This will be Dean’s 6 ^th Kathmandu Coast to Coast, and he already boasts a sub-11-hour 30-minute performance, so Dean to have the likes of Allan and Manson keeping tabs on him throughout the race, especially if he’s able to slip away at some point in the 30.5 km Mountain Run.

“Bobby Dean although technically not a dark horse is probably a real threat to podium. Bobby is the quintessential Kathmandu Coast to Coasters and his ability is reminiscent of Coast legends such as Gordon Blythen, Neil Jones and George Christianson. He is not a professional athlete and relies on a physical job with some hours squeezed in training prior to work and after work during the hours of darkness to refine his form. Look out for Bobby off the run”! Race Director Glen Currie emphasized.

Fellow Tauranga athlete Brad McNamara steps up to the elite men’s division in 2022, earning the sixth seed spot following a win in the men’s open division last year and finishing seventh overall in 11:56:57.

While a more than competent cyclist, McNamara has had a major focus on his paddling over the past 12 months, paying off with a 4 ^th in the Motu Challenge and a 5 ^th in the Rangitikei River Race.

The 39-year-old also has the added bonus of Scott McDonald, who finished 5 ^th in 2021, as part of his support crew.

Piha’s Jamie Piggins is another who can expect a few of the more experienced athletes to be keeping a closer eye on him this year. Teaming up with last year’s silver medalist Sam Manson, Piggins played a key role off the front of the first cycle leg last year, splitting the first bunch in two and sending shockwaves through the main group.

The 36-year-old who was competing in his debut Longest Day then suffered an ankle injury just six kilometres into the Mountain Run, basically stalling his race back on the other side of the main divide. To his credit, he battled on, finishing in 12 hours twenty-nine minutes and did enough to catch the eye of Race Director Glen Currie who has ranked the Auckland fireman seventh in 2022. “Jamie came bursting onto the scene last year leading into the run. He turned up like a lot of endurance athletes to tick the box of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast in 2021, however also like a lot of athletes finished and developed an addiction to the course and a belief he could go event better. It will be impressive to see if he can pull together a full race this year.”

Nelson’s Caleb Hill has been seeded in 8 ^th in 2022, following a 11 ^th placed finish last year in a time just over 12 hours, while Nelson’s Lachie Brownlie is back for his 7 ^th consecutive race in 2022, looking to build on his personal best in 2021, like Sam Manson, Brownlie is a kayak instructor and mountain guide suggesting that perhaps his best discipline will be his knowledge of the course.

Napier’s Josh Garrett rounds out the top 10 elite men’s competition.

A Pioneer's story

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 19:52:35 GMT

Looking back there were five very athletic women on the start line for the first race: Carol McDermott, Debbie Lee Whale, Annie Hope, Emma de Lacey and Stella Sweney.

Image: Crossing the Deception river in 1987

Anyone who makes it to the start line of the Coast to Coast has a great story to tell. The race attracts a certain type of person- the type of person who always sees endless possibilities. Of course, just getting to the start line in 2022 has proven to be a far greater challenge than anyone could possibly have anticipated.

In 1983, global pandemics were either distant memories for senior citizens, or plots in sci-fi movies for the contemporary generation. The whole concept of the Coast to Coast seemed a bit wacky with a challenge that on paper looked beyond the reach of most; with the exception of the hardy pioneering souls who stood on Kumara Beach waiting for the somewhat maniacal hairy figure of race creator Robin Judkins to fire off the starting hooter.

It’s fascinating looking through the 1983 start list, with many of those names going on to become iconic in Multisport, and others becoming well known as event organisers. Others parented children who have gone on to feature prominently in the race in later years. What is often lost in the wash when we look back at the early days, is that there were five very athletic women on the start line for the first race: Carol McDermott, Debbie Lee Whale, Annie Hope, Emma de Lacey and Stella Sweney.

Stella’s brother John was also a 1983 original, and he paid her $50 entry fee. “I couldn’t really turn that down, could I?” The pair were originally from the West Coast and Stella Sweney says the territory wasn’t too foreign for them with backgrounds in tramping and climbing. A history of Harriers running certainly provided a solid base as she learned to bounce from rock to rock in the riverbeds. Having always biked to school, the cycling stages didn’t seem too daunting, so the training was upped accordingly.

Kayaking was a whole different ball game. “We’d done a wee bit of kayaking in a canvas kayak on Lake Kaniere but not a lot more.” Living and working in Nelson at the time, Stella Sweney would head across to Blenheim where her brother was living to train on the Wairau River.

Despite the 1983 race being an enormous step into the unknown for everyone associated with the event, Stella Sweney’s background meant she wasn’t really daunted by what lay ahead. “I wasn’t scared of long days- I’d had 20-hour days in the mountains climbing peaks and things. It was just a matter of pacing yourself and it certainly helped that you could draft on the bike.”

Spending the night at Arthurs Pass after day one made the challenge seem a little easier, but Sweney admits she was unsure whether she’d be able to do the whole thing. She says she wasn’t really racing against the other women. “There was a lot of laughing and joking and we all just saw it as a big adventure. It was a magical idea.”

The concept of competing and winning came two or three years later. “In 1983 we had people with empty baby carriers on the backs of their bikes and some pretty ropey looking gear! Judkins was very charismatic and made it all a lot of fun.”

Stella Sweney finished the race more than two and a half hours ahead of the next best woman and followed through with victory again in 1984 and a third placing in 1985.

1987 was the year of the first ever Longest Day, and never one to shy away from a challenge, Stella again stood alongside her brother John on Kumara Beach. Just over 16 hours later, the pair were the last two home at Sumner Beach, with Stella being the first woman to complete the One Day Race. “I’ve never been as tired as I was at the end of that day, but it was very satisfying to do it.”

Along the way, Stella and John stopped to help 1986 women’s two-day winner Jane Reeves who had run into difficulties on the Waimakariri. “She fell out, so we stopped and made her safe on the riverbank. It was a long way into Christchurch and the race was certainly well named!”

Hand in hand with the Coast to Coast, the sport of triathlon was also taking off globally, with Christchurch’s Erin Baker busting down the doors on the international stage. Sweney admits she did feel like a pioneer in the first two or three years of the race. “Then it kind of caught on. There were skiing events too. So many people were going in it, and it was their first time at anything like it. They may not have even run a marathon.”

Sweney says the lack of experience in the fields brought about a lot of camaraderie. “Yes, there was the competitive element, but they were way out in front. The rest of us were just having a lot of fun, helping each other out with the river crossings - particularly when it was a bit in flood.”

Sweney believes Judkins hooked into a magical concept that captured the best of what the New Zealand outdoors is all about. “It’s not inherently dangerous, but it’s still adventurous. The thought of going from one side of the island to the other captured everyone’s imaginations.”

Back in the late 80s, the growing influence of the brewery sponsorship saw the event focus heavily on the men’s side of the event. “They wanted to make out that it was tough, but there were plenty of women who were doing it with ease. There were definitely many more males on the start line, but the women showed they were up for Multisport as well as anyone.”

Race Director Robin Judkins wore a bit of criticism, but Sweney has no complaints. “Judkins gave out pretty good prizes for the women as well, so I didn’t feel we were underrated. There were more prizes for the men, but there were a lot more of them.”

A shift down to Timaru saw Stella Sweney eventually drift away from the event. “I was training to be a Mountain Guide and that was taking up a lot of my holidays.”

So many people who are attracted to endurance events tend to be high achievers in other areas of their lives. As a Coast-to-Coast pioneer, Stella almost helped write that template. A move to Tekapo saw her serving as Chair of the Local Community Board. However, it’s hard to imagine Sweney stuck behind a desk for too long, and mountain guiding provided her with an outlet even a little more extreme than Coast to Coast.

“Six times I think,” was Sweney’s almost slightly vague reply when asked how many times she’d summited Mount Cook. Stella Sweney learned the art of guiding from the best in the business. “Gottlieb Braun-Elwart was my brother-in-law. My sister Anne and Gottlieb started Alpine Recreation. He encouraged me to do the Guide training.”

Sadly, in 2008, Gottlieb died of an aortic aneurysm in the Alps while guiding Prime Minister Helen Clark and her husband Peter Davis. “That was when I made the move to Tekapo to help my sister out. Her daughter, my niece, Elke, is now a fully qualified guide and they’re running the company.”

These days, 75-year-old Stella is back living in Christchurch and remains as active as ever. When she’s not chasing the white ball around the Avondale Golf Course, she’s keeping busy organising cycle trips with her sister Anne. “We’ve done the Old Ghost Road and the Paparoas. Did the Wilderness Trail too: a mixture of cycling and walking trips.”

The Stand-up Paddle Board never has time to gather dust in the garage. “It’s great getting out on the water. Very peaceful. But I’ve probably been a little too ambitious going out in the surf a couple of times.”

Everyone who races Coast to Coast seems to retain their enthusiasm for the event years later. That still holds true for the first ever women’s winner. “I still get a bit twitchy every February, and I certainly keep an eye on it!”

Image: At the finish line with brother John Sweeny after the first Coast to Coast in 1983

The 40th Kathmandu Coast to Coast to go ahead

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 02:58:08 GMT

Organizers of the iconic multisport race the Kathmandu Coast to Coast have today announced their decision to forge ahead with the 40 ^th Anniversary event, albeit in a significantly scaled back capacity.

After being forced to cancel the 2-day event categories earlier in the week due to the country now in the Covid19 Red traffic light settings, Race Director Glen Currie has revealed the Longest Day category and the mountain run will go ahead on February 12. “There was simply no way we could provide a safe event for the two-day athletes, support crew and spectators. But, once more guidelines and information came to light earlier this week, we became confident that we could do so at a much smaller scale.”

“Government feedback has been that they do not want events to cease altogether, rather they’re asking events like ours to restructure to minimise contact of people as much as possible and reduce the potential of a mass spread as a result of the event.”

284 competitors will now line up for the Longest Day and One Day Teams categories, starting in pods of less than 100, while 90 athletes in the mountain run, who start from a completely different section of the course will also get their opportunity to compete. This is a significant decrease from the initial 1,400 registered athletes.

“The Longest Day is often described as the loneliest day by competitors,” said Currie. “You’ve got 243 kilometres of course in a pretty remote setting to stretch out on, which fortunately for us enables us to isolate competitors and support crews to a large extent.”

Athletes’ support crews have been limited to just 2 people, while friends and family will be restricted from entering any of the athlete transition areas.

Food and beverage offerings would also be cut, impacting a number of community groups that often rely on the revenue as part of their annual fundraising. “We’ve traditionally been able to facilitate and donate up to $50,000 per event to the likes of the Springfield, Sheffield and Moana Schools, the Malvern Lions Club, Kumara Community Trust and a raft of others, but unfortunately these changes to the event will have a knock-on effect,” Currie added.

The safety of athletes was one area that Currie and his team wouldn’t be moved on though, continuing to work with Christchurch Helicopters, who provide heli support for the mountain run across Goat Pass, as well as the Canterbury Jet Boat Club who patrol the 70-kilometre stretch of the Waimakariri River. “This is one area that can’t be compromised. But reducing the numbers of competitors on course should already see a reduction in the time that their services are needed across the day. Traditionally the One Day athletes are the more experienced ones too, so their dependency on the safety crews is lower.”

The Mountain run was originally scheduled to take place in conjunction with day one of the two-day event on February 11, however in order for it to take place it has had to be shifted a day later. “We know this will impact a few athletes with accommodation and travel arrangements, but with greater management comes greater cost and we need to find ways to accommodate as many people as possible,” said Currie.

The first wave of competitors will start from Kumara Beach at 06:00 on February the 12th and are expected to begin arriving into the finish area at New Brighton beach any time after 16:30.

Ends

Something new

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 18:59:01 GMT

The newest category of New Zealand’s oldest multisport race will be hotly contested with three of the country's top individual athletes teaming up to take on the Kathmandu Coast to Coast One Day, three-person team event.

Just like the World-Famous Longest Day category, the three-person team will take on the 243-kilometre course on one day, but with each team member completing one discipline only, cycling, mountain running, and kayaking. The team also must be gender mixed, with the members choosing what discipline they compete in.

Captain of Team OSM, Hamish Elliott, who scampered across Goat Pass in just over 3 hours in a training run two years ago, will take on the gruelling Mountain Run. 10-time Queen of the Harbour Rachel Clarke set a record for fastest female on the day during the kayak stage last year and will look to repeat that form in the Waimakariri river. While former professional cyclist Louis Crosby has been given the task of getting his team off to a cracking start, before bringing the team home into New Brighton Beach.

“We thought we’d get some pretty talented athletes to sign up to this new category when we first came up with the idea, and this team has certainly reaffirmed that,” said Race Director Glen Currie.

“Hamish has been a regular Longest Day competitor, whose strongest discipline was the mountain run. So knowing he only has to concentrate on one discipline, I have no doubt he’ll set a blistering pace through Goat Pass. Louis’s pedigree speaks for itself, he’s been a professional cyclist, so he’ll be right at the front, and Rachel is the ultimate competitor. Last year was her first real experience in white water and in this type of boat and she was the fastest female paddler, so imagine what she’ll be able to do with a bit more time up her sleeve.”

“I love the Kathmandu Coast to Coast but dedicating enough time to train for the entire event is quite a challenge. But being able to compete in my favoured discipline and be part of the category for the first time is really exciting,” said Elliott.

“I cannot wait to race this new category,” said Clarke, “Hopefully this year if the flow is good and I have a good run I can have a good crack at the record!”

Experienced campaigners’ team earSHOTS will also be out to trouble the leaders, made up of Dave Jaggs, Ben Tallon and Helen Beattie.

Ben, who finished 13 ^th in the elite men’s Longest Day last year, will take on Elliott in the mountain run section, while Jaggs, who’s donning the Kathmandu Coast to Coast bib for the 7 ^th time, will line up against Clarke in the paddle section.

“Ben is a natural Mountain Goat,” said Jaggs, “he’s come in late as a replacement after our runner got injured, but he’s a very worthy replacement and will scamper across Goat Pass.”

“Helen is a time trialist. When I pitched the idea of 145km of riding broken into three chunks, with some short sharp runs she naturally jumped at the chance.”

Competitors in the new 3-person one day teams’ category will start 30 minutes later than those in the Longest Day competition, meaning their start gun is set to go at 06:30 on Saturday the 12 ^th of February. After a 2.2-kilometer sprint off the black sands of the Kumara Beach, the cyclist then take on the 56-kilometre cycle alongside the Taramakau River to the foothills of the Southern Alps, where the switch is made to the runner. From there a 30.5-kilometre riverbed run which turns into a combination of boulder hopping and dodging the frigid waters of the main divide, reaching an elevation of 800m through Goat Pass before the start of their decent. A short 15k sprint awaits the cyclist who then links up with the kayaker who’ll navigate 70k’s of brains and gorge which separates the high country and the Canterbury plains. As soon as the kayaker rolls into the transition at the Waimakariri Gorge bridge it’s and all out drag race down New Zealand’s straightest road to the finish line in New Brighton to complete the 243-kilometre course.

I think I'll always want to be involved with the Coast to Coast

Sun, 09 Jan 2022 20:44:11 GMT

Tom Patterson; “Having all the different categories means it’s an event that can suit anyone at whatever stage in life or fitness level they are. It keeps people in the event for longer.”

As the 40th anniversary of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast approaches, many athletes have reflected on what the event has meant to them. For the Patterson family, their association with the race started more than 20 years ago. In 2000 Thomas Patterson was a student at Canterbury University and working at his family business in Christchurch when he and his brother Ken first entered the event.

“One of the guys at work was telling my brother Ken and I how he was doing the Coast to Coast and that we should do it too, so we thought we would give it a go.

“Ken was a slightly better runner than me, so I had to get a paddle and learn to kayak!”

Patterson says there has been a lot of lessons learnt since their first race.

“We knew absolutely nothing about nutrition and we only had one bike between us.”

They both came back again the following year; this time entering as individuals and finished the event only four minutes apart.

“At that time in my life, being a student, it was easy to train and I had a lot of mates who were keen to either just train with me or give it a go too. I think back then it was always about being able to go as fast as possible and get the best results possible,” Patterson says.

The brothers competed as individuals for the next five years, racking up many memorable moments on the course.

“One year it was completely washed out and my brother and I, along with other competitors, had to be evacuated by helicopter. It was one of those things where you are disappointed at the time but you realise how bad things could have gone. You fully appreciate the thorough health and safety protocols.”

Patterson’s late father Tom Patterson, enjoyed the event so much he was keen to become a sponsor through their family hotel, The Commodore.

“My parents were always there supporting us and my Dad used to say, if something like that had been around in his day, he would have been in to it. I think the fact we were all so passionate about the Coast to Coast is why we were keen to be involved commercially, it just connected with us.”

“Over the years we have had a lot of domestic and international athletes stay with us. We really enjoy meeting them and love talking to them about the race, especially the week of the race. Often, we actually end up going for a run or a cycle with them,” Patterson says.

Since 2020 The Commodore Hotel has been operating as a Managed Isolation and Quarantine Facility, meaning it hasn’t been able to open to the public. In 2021 the Pattersons had the opportunity to purchase the Hotel Montreal in the Christchurch CBD and once again welcome guests.

Patterson says he is looking forward to restoring some of their old traditions with the event.

“My Dad used to make sure we kept the bar and restaurant open late at the end of the event for all the officials, admins and competitors to be able to come back and unwind. It was always a good night.”

The Pattersons involvement in the event has also grown to include more family members. Thomas and his wife Jo have competed together in both the two-day team and tandem. Last year, Thomas did the two-day tandem with his nephew Hamish Patterson and this year some of his nephews are doing it as a team and another is entered in the Mountain Run. While, wife Jo is doing the three-person team with her brother Hayden.

“It’s great that they are all getting involved. I think Robin Judkin created this magic event and then every race director since has added their own touch and further enhanced it. I look at someone like myself who started out wanting to be as competitive as possible in the individual events to now just doing it because I love it. I’d almost want to do the tandem every year, I really enjoy sharing the experience with someone.

“Having all the different categories means it’s an event that can suit anyone at whatever stage in life or fitness level they are. It keeps people in the event for longer.”

With Thomas and Jo’s kids having grown up watching their parents, uncles and now cousins all taking part in the event they have been inspired to do it one day too.

“My son Will says he wants to do it, he’s only 10-years-old, so part of me thinks I should keep doing it and keep fit so I might be able to do it with him one day.

“Whatever happens, I think I will always want to be involved with the Coast to Coast one way or another.”

In for the long haul

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 21:12:04 GMT

Alister Metherell's connection with the Kathmandu Coast to Coast has lasted the test of time, he shares his story with Race Commentator Brian Ashby.

Standing on the start line with the 78 other anxious competitors at the first ever Coast to Coast on the 26th of February in 1983, Alister Metherell was unsure of what he’d let himself in for. The picture will be a whole clearer for him when he stands on Kumara Beach for start of the 40th edition on the 11th of February.

After getting a taste of the pioneering race, Alister Metherell was far from one and done, and returned again in 1984 and 86, as well as the first two editions of the Longest Day in 1987 and 88. The lure of the 20th anniversary race saw him again bouncing across the boulders and back on the Waimakariri River.

Don’t be fooled into thinking Metherell is returning again solely for the sentimental reason of the 2022 edition being the 40th anniversary. “In 2019, my daughter Selena decided to do the Coast to Coast and actually won the two-day race. That got me thinking it wouldn’t be too bad to do it again. My four children got it organised to give me an entry for my 60th birthday present. I was dead keen.”

But fate was to intervene in a way that could have completely derailed Metherell’s sporting aspirations or had even more serious consequences. “I was planning on racing at the World Masters Orienteering Championships in Latvia and the World Rogaine Champs in Spain. I was doing a lot of training for that and got pretty fit. I got as far as Latvia and had a heart attack.”

As is so often the case, the cardiac event happened completely out of the blue, but Alister Metherell considers himself to be lucky. “It happened the morning before the orienteering events were starting. I was just about to go off to registration with another Christchurch chap, Peter Cleary. I suddenly felt ill, and he managed to contact the emergency services and they figured out what was happening. I didn’t have any pain, but I basically just broke out in a big sweat.”

Fast forward six weeks and Metherell got the all-clear from his Christchurch cardiologist to get back into some training. A hardcore weekend of orienteering events later in the year made him realise that the 2020 Kathmandu Coast to Coast was going to be a little bit too soon. However, it’s a case of “Thunderbirds Are Go” for 2022. Despite now having a stent and a little bit of cardiac muscle damage, training is going well for the cheerful veteran. “I don’t really feel it too much when the heart rate gets up. But the statins get my lactate levels up. I puff a lot going up hills on both the run and the bike, but then I’m not alone in that!”

While many Coast to Coasters come to the event from sporting backgrounds a long way removed from kayak, bike and run, Alister Metherell has long had an affinity with the outdoors. A keen tramper, he took up orienteering back in 1980 and prior to the first Coast, had also achieved a couple of sub-three-hour marathon results. “Bike racing was a whole different story, I’m not sure I’d even ridden 60 kilometres before!”

A continuing interest in orienteering, rogaining and mountain biking have kept his fitness levels high, but he admits kayaking skills have been neglected since racing the 20th anniversary event in 2002. “After I decided to do it again, I started paddling down the Avon to build up fitness, and I had to do the Grade Two Certificate for the first time ever!” Since then, the Christchurch based Metherell has managed to spend some time on the Waimakariri River along with a couple of smaller Multisport races.

Winding back the clock to the early days of the Coast to Coast, it was actually race founder Robin Judkins’ precursor event; the Alpine Ironman, that piqued Metherell’s interest. Older readers might remember the TV ads for race sponsor Fresh Up with a laughing Judkins watching competitors struggling through the various difficult bits of terrain. Back then, Alister Metherell was based in Dunedin and decided to join the Otago Canoe and Kayak Club to upskill. Among the group of around eight from Dunedin who entered the first Coast to Coast, was inaugural winner Joe Sherriff. “He came out to New Zealand for a year as an anaesthetist - he joined us on the water and in the Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club. The race was only really announced in November so there wasn’t any great build-up. We all just decided we’d go and do it.” Sherriff clearly found the terrain to his liking and wrote his name into history with victory in 1983. Metherell actually managed to stick with Sherriff on the final bike section through until Yaldhurst where the Englishman found some extra strength to hook onto the back of a couple of team riders.

Alister Metherell steadily improved through the early years. “I finished ninth in the first year of Coast, and while my times would continue to improve, my placings would drop back a little further each year.”

The second year of the Coast to Coast in 1984 was known as the “Year of The Flood!” The conditions at the time were such that in later years, Race Directors would definitely look to use alternate courses. “On the beach at Kumara, Robin Judkins said I’ve got some bad news. I think the weather will be ok today, but there’ll be a lot of rain later so the river will be up a bit for the kayak tomorrow.” Metherell’s response can just be heard on the video highlights package of the race and may have been the genesis of an idea that came to fruition in 1987. “I yelled out- Let’s do it all today!” Be careful what you wish for!

Like the vast majority of competitors, Alister juggles his training with his work in Agricultural Science and IT at Ravensdown. Despite the ups and downs of life, Metherell has never lost his enthusiasm for the race, and it’ll be a massive treat for both organisers and fellow competitors to have another of the originals back on the start line for the 40th anniversary, alongside his good friend Sherriff. The celebration of being back on the start line doesn’t end there for Alister Metherell, or indeed at the New Brighton finish line. Day two of the race will mark Alister’s 63rd birthday, so the challenge is there for all the competitors and spectators to wish him well when they see him out on the course! “Just getting to the finish will be the perfect present!”

A 40 year relationship

Sun, 26 Dec 2021 20:32:44 GMT

Joe Sherriff is looking forward to the Kathmandu Coast to Coast in 2022. It’ll be a chance to catch up with some old friends, challenge himself and reflect on his many memories and long association with the event, after winning the inaugural almost 40 years ago.

In 1983, Sherriff, a young doctor from the UK, was in New Zealand completing his specialist Anaesthetist training. He loved the outdoors, was an accomplished runner and was up for a challenge. So, when a friend told him about a new event being put together by a man called Robin Judkin, he was keen to give it a go.

Sherriff said he had no idea what he was getting himself in for and nor did he have any expectation of what place he might finish, but as he passed the legendary Graeme Dingle, only other competitor between him and the finish line, the reality that he was about to win the first ever Coast to Coast set in.

“It felt pretty good,” Sherriff says of the win.

After completing his final year of study in New Zealand, Sherriff returned home to the UK to a job he had lined up. He did however, return in 1984 to have another go.

“I finished about 17 ^th in ’84. Trying to train in winter, and holding down a full-time job was a bit harder than training in New Zealand in the summer when you don’t have a job. The year I won it, I had finished work in Dunedin at the end of December and I managed to put off going back to work in the UK until the middle of March.”

Following the 1983 and 1984 events Sherriff spent the next 10 years working, having a family and dedicating his time to search and rescue, which also included training and running a search dog for a number of years. In 1991 he emigrated to New Zealand and the following year decided to have another crack at the Coast to Coast.

“I’d always had a hankering to do the one-day event. It was obvious to me after first two years that it could be done in just a day.”

Sherriff borrowed a kayak and started training, but pulled a calf muscle.

“I was hobbling horribly but I got to the start line, however that was one of very few years that the event got washed out.

“The two-day competitors had an absolute epic on the mountain run with people being rescued by helicopter all over the place. The one-day mountain run and kayak legs were both cancelled. We ran over Arthurs Pass and then jumped on the bikes at Klondyke and rode all the way to Sumner – a fairly long bike ride!”

Sherriff entered again the following year, but with full on work commitments, search and rescue duties and family life he pulled out. Then almost a decade later, seemingly out of the blue Sherriff received a call from a reporter asking him to confirm a press release from Robin Judkin, that he would be returning to the Coast to Coast for it’s 20 ^th anniversary.

“Robin was scrambling around trying to get as many of the first timers as he could back for the 20 ^th . I think he managed to get half a dozen of us doing it. I did one or two long runs and joined in with the Southland Multi Sport Club which was really strong then. They were fantastic. I was so disgusted with my time, I think it was about 16 hours, I vowed to do it again the following year.

Sherriff then went on to compete for the next 8 years consecutively.

“Eventually I managed to beat my original time for the event by half an hour,” he says.

Aside from winning the event, which he says is a great feeling and helped to create the special relationship he has with the Coast to Coast, there have been a number of highlights over the years, including doing it with his son James in the tandem two-day in 2007.

“It was really good doing it with him. He was a very good kayaker and just got stuck in and did it.”

Another standout memory was when he fully capsized in his kayak in the boulder field, rolled back up and continued on.

Sherriff believes the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is an event for anyone.

“I have said often that anyone can do it. If you can ride a bit, kayak a bit and be on your feet for several hours then it is within the ability of everybody.”

For Sherriff, every year he has competed there has been a different motivation or reason why. Next year when he competes for his 14th time in 40 years, it will be for the accomplishment of doing so.

“My only aim will be to get to the finish line, I expect to be exceedingly slow, but I’m looking forward to giving it another go.”

Image: Robin Judkins and Joe Sherriff with the winners Trophy, to which he still has today.

"I always had a feeling of imposter syndrome"

Sun, 05 Dec 2021 21:04:55 GMT

Race Commentator Brian Ashby looks back on some fond memories of races gone by.

In 2008, Fleur Pawsey went into the Longest Day as defending champion. It was always shaping as a tight race. 2006 champion Emily Miazga was on the start line, along with serial podium loiterers Rachel Cashin and Anna Berthelsen.

For Pawsey, going toe to toe with the other women wasn’t the only battle she faced with some scrambled thoughts also rattling around inside her own head. “I’ve thought about the psychology behind this so much. I think in 2008 I felt the pressure of trying to prove that 2007 wasn’t a fluke, but at the same time I didn’t really know how I’d won and didn’t think I could do it again.”

For the average weekend warrior and those who have followed the race for many years, it’s hard to believe but, Pawsey simply didn’t consider herself to be an athlete. “Through school I wasn’t sporty and I never won things, so as I developed as a multisporter, I always had feelings of Imposter Syndrome. I loved the outdoors, the endurance and the pain of pushing for so long. I guess I did realise that as I started getting results I was at the faster end of the sport, but I was still puzzled as to how I got there.”

The first half of the day saw the leading contenders trading positions as the race unfolded, with the defending champion eventually taking the lead on the water between Woodstock and The Gorge Bridge. But it was before this point that the first of the post race “what if’s” kicked in. “There was an opportunity to short cut one of the bends in the river. The advice was that the river was a bit low so take the long route. As it turned out, plenty did successfully take the short cut. There were a few minutes there and that’s where I consider I lost the race- not the final bike ride. Poor decision making”.

There were other earlier glitches. Coming out of the mountain run, her support crew didn’t double check the bento box on the top tube of her bike, thinking that there was food in there. There wasn’t, and a chance to refuel on the ride to Mt White Bridge was lost. Pawsey admits to a few tears, but the stress only increased when she reached Mount White to start the kayak stage. Her boat wasn’t where she expected and her food wasn’t set up in the way she had planned with the support crew. As it turned out, a very enthusiastic sponsor and keen Multisport fan looked at other setups and decided Fleur’s could do with some tweaking. The crew looked a little sheepish. “I couldn’t be mad at the sponsor given the financial support he’d given me, but a couple of weeks after the race I got an apology card with a $200 restaurant voucher. He felt terrible after he realised what he’d done”.

As a broadcaster covering the race, the final leg can often be a bit of a procession to the finish line in New Brighton, or as in the earlier days, Sumner Beach. This race was anything but a procession. There’s very little information on the course for competitors, so the splits that we shout at the riders can either drive them to dig deeper, or perhaps mentally break them! The feeling of déjà vu wasn’t a welcome one for Fleur Pawsey. “It wasn’t much fun being in front and I was wondering how is this happening again?”

The sunburned Canterbury Plains eventually gave way to the city as Sumner Beach edged ever closer. But also edging closer from behind was Emily Miazga. The ebullient friendly expat Canadian is a fearsome competitor- a whole different personality on the racecourse. If Pawsey and Miazga were boxers, Fleur would attempt to win with an ongoing series of point scoring jabs, whereas Miazga would look for the big knockout in the middle rounds. On this occasion, the knockout came just before the final bell. “I vividly remember you in the Newstalk ZB car calling splits and encouraging me, and there was also a woman who I didn’t know who kept leapfrogging me in her car who was sort of doing the same”. Of course, in the car, we were also calling splits to the chasers, and you could clearly see Emily Miazga getting stronger as she heard the gap narrowing.

The eventual pass with swift and brutal. Miazga pedalled past the defending champion at Barnett Park in Redcliffs, a shade under two kilometres from the finish line. So, it was title number two for Miazga with Pawsey a mere 43 seconds adrift. Completing the drama in third place was Rachel Cashin who was only another two minutes back.

There was much excitement at the finish line after such a close finish to the women’s race and it was hard not to get caught up in the hype. But after the cheers faded, the then Wellington based Pawsey had time to reflect. “I just felt so flat and there were a few tears. We went back to the acrid motel room and went over the details of the day. I don’t remember much about the prize giving or anything from the next day. But I do remember that night getting fish and chips and they were revolting- a shit end to the day!”

Pawsey again finished second in 2012, this time behind Elina Ussher. Ironically, on this occasion, Emily Miazga was a part of her support crew! In 2017, after ongoing struggles with knee issues, the now veteran racer was a late call-up to the team which took out the World Adventure Racing Champs in Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean. A great way to underline a fantastic career ! These days, it’s all about running for Fleur. “I did the Old Ghost Ultra in February and really loved it, so I’m going to do it again”.

Always understated, Pawsey says she’s not particularly competitive these days, but just enjoys being in the outdoors with other like-minded people. The memories of 2008 are still there, but it’s more of a curiosity from a sports psychology point of view. “It certainly wasn’t defining for me. But who knows? If I’d won again, I might’ve got even more worked up in future races still wondering how on Earth I’d finished in first place!”

Understated but certainly not an under performer- one of the finest and most consistent athletes in the long and colourful history of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

Keep training towards 40th Anniversary event.

Thu, 11 Nov 2021 19:36:40 GMT

With Covid-19 restrictions causing plenty of angst for event organisers and would-be competitors, Kathmandu Coast to Coast Race Director Glen Currie wanted to ease concerns by saying that his team are doing everything they can to ensure the event is able to celebrate its 40 ^th Anniversary on February 11 and 12. “We know how hard it is for athletes training for the event, even when everything is going to plan, let alone the uncertainty of lockdowns etc. But we are, and will do, everything we can to run a safe and successful event.”

With four months still to go until race weekend Currie and his small team have been working with authorities to ensure they’re equipped to deal with each scenario as they come up. “We’re lucky in a way that whilst we have a small team, all of them work in the event and sport industry and have been operating in this fluid environment ever since Covid came along. Adjusting and adapting is something we’re all familiar with. It’s become second nature.”

“Whilst there’s lots of things we can’t control, we’re constantly having to work on plan B, C and D, whether it’s the weather or other reasons such as Covid. While we can’t predict the future, we can work towards meeting the requirements set down by the government and be as ready as we can once the event rolls around.”

That means for those wishing to attend the event, they must be fully vaccinated.

“The Government has made it relatively clear that if you wish to host a large-scale event this summer there will be a requirement to make sure all attending are vaccinated, the indication is that they will be putting a process in place to allow event organisers to check vaccination certificates,” Currie said.

And as a result, all competitors, support crews, sponsors, staff and volunteers attending the Kathmandu Coast to Coast must be able to provide evidence that they have been fully vaccinated.

As a former competitor Currie remembers looking for motivation around this time of year and felt the uncertainties caused by Covid and other events cancelling will be adding to concerns. “It’s definitely tough to put in the amount of training that’s required to have an enjoyable weekend. But one thing that’s for sure is you’ll never regret doing that little bit extra, even if it's just to be that little bit fitter, that feeling will also help in everyday life.”

“We’re really feeling for event organisers that have made the hard call to cancel too. For some of them that’s their main income for the year or their main fundraiser and it’s sad to see them not operating. One thing that’s great about the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is all the other events that have sprung up that people do as part of their build up to the event. Those events are a big part of the multisport fabric, and we want and need them to be able to operate.”

The 40 ^th Anniversary Kathmandu Coast to Coast starts on February 10 with registrations in Greymouth, followed by the two-day entrants starting from Kumara Beach on Feb 11, and the Longest Day competitors on Feb 12.

Trident High School win Academy prize

Thu, 23 Sep 2021 18:44:05 GMT

Whakatane’s Trident High School have been awarded the 2022 Kathmandu Coast to Coast Academy prize pack, heading off a string of entries from all around the country.

The team of 3 have won an entry into the sold-out event, as well as kayak support from Barracuda, a $1000 clothing pack from principal partner Kathmandu, and coaching sessions from Kathmandu Coast to Coast Ambassadors.

“Trident’s entry stood out to us,” said Race Director Glen Currie, “they hadn’t managed to get an entry into the 2022 event but displayed a real passion for the outdoors. They’re regularly competing in mountain bike competitions and orienteering, even competing in the Motu Challenge last year. They clearly demonstrated that an opportunity to win the Academy prize pack would have a lasting influence on their lives and the people around them.”

Nearly a dozen entries were received for the 2022 award from as far afield as Fiordland College in the south, to Orewa College in the north, with a strong contingent of entries received from the McKenzie District, Canterbury and North Otago.

“It’s been a real focus of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast for a number of years now to make the event as accessible as possible. With the support of our principal partner Kathmandu, and a host of others we’re able to offer this opportunity,” Currie added.

“We’re really stoked to win this opportunity,” said Trident team member Bailey Fredrickson.

“The opportunity to compete in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast alongside my younger brother and my mate will be a very cool experience.”

Fredrickson, who is a keen cross country mountain biker will take on the three bike sections, with younger brother Ollie, who’s a handy sprint kayaker, set to add some white-water paddling to his repertoire, while Jack Wilson will combine his training for the Hillary Challenge with some ‘long runs’ as he prepares to take on Goat Pass.

“Whakatane is a real hub for multisport in the North Island, some of the most recent winners of the Longest Day, such as Sam Clarke and Corrine O’Donnell come from Whakatane, so it’s great to see their influence rubbing off on the next generation of multisporter’s and in the Kathmandu Coast to Coasters,” said Currie.

Trident High School alumni also includes Oliver Thompson a regular longest day competitor and 2-day individual champion in 2018.

Testing her own resilience

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 19:36:06 GMT

Next year Dr Lucy Hone will tackle something that has been on her radar for more than a decade.

The Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

Known for her work building resilience in schools and workplaces, the co-founder of the New Zealand Institute of Wellbeing and Resilience and an adjunct senior fellow at the University of Canterbury, says she looks at any challenge she takes on through a psychological lens. And the Coast to Coast is no different.

“It’s something I’ve thought about doing but has always felt beyond me. When the kids lived at home, time was a big barrier, I didn’t have enough time to work and train. And I was terrified of Goat Pass - I’ve done a lot of running over the years but I’m not comfortable climbing over boulders and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get down that riverbed.”

The inspiration and belief to give it a go came from a discussion with another member of her gym, Koha Fitness, in Christchurch. “She had completed the event and told me it took her two years to train. She recommended I meet with Richard Greer from Team CP who had helped her. The other thing which helped me decide to do it was discovering we could do it in tandem. I persuaded my husband to do it with me, I knew that with him by my side I could somehow get through it.”

“Then we met with Richard and he broke it down for us, telling us that Goat Pass is walkable in 8 hours and the cut off is 11 hours. So, even in the worst-case scenario and we had to walk it, we would still complete it in time.”

Hone has been researching resilience for well over a decade now, starting initially at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, which in 2009 was the only place in the world she could study the field. There she learnt from the best of the best, among them the professors responsible for teaching the USA Military to be as mentally fit as they were physically fit.

Returning home to Christchurch, she put her doctoral research on hold during the post-quake period, turning her attention to support her home community – working with government departments and all sort of organisations teaching them the mental skills that science shows boost community and individual resilience.

Then, three years later, on Queens Birthday weekend, her own resilience was tested in the extreme, when her 12-year-old daughter Abi and friends were killed instantly when a driver sped through a stop sign and crashed into their car.

Knowing and trusting the science and the research, but not really knowing if it would work in the wake of such a tragic personal loss, Hone began to write a blog testing the tools of resilience throughout the weeks and months after Abi’s death. The blog went viral, resulting in a book deal and publication of the best-selling Resilient Grieving.

More than seven years on from the tragedy, Hone says she knows from the research and her own experience, the importance of understanding the ways of thinking and acting that help each of us navigate adversity. Thinking tools that she’s now spread out to the world, thanks to the huge success of her TED talk, 3 Secrets of Resilient People, which went viral during the Covid pandemic, making it NZ’s most watched TED talk and ranking in the top 20 of TED’s talks in 2020.

Hone says without a doubt her work gives her a mental advantage when it comes to taking on big challenges like the Coast to Coast, but when it comes to the physicality, she says she’s feeling her age and is no doubt of the size of the mission ahead of her. “I can overcome the mind games. I have that self-belief which I can draw on from past experiences. I’ve done the London Marathon, half marathons and the Grape Ride, but I need to put things in place to overcome the physical side, I’ve got a very busy start up business and my body’s not feeling as good as it used to. I’m tired all the time from training and it’s a juggle to keep progressing but allow time for recovery too. Plus we’ve never white-water kayaked before, so that’s a really steep learning curve. I don’t think I’ve ever been as scared as I was that first weekend on the white-water but we’ve practiced lots on the Estuary and each week it gets a bit better. “My husband has some injuries at the moment so we’re just taking it a week at a time, following Richard’s training schedule with two bike rides, three runs and a kayak a week and trusting that’s enough to get us there. We catch up with Richard regularly too.”

There is one strong piece of advice Hone has for anyone contemplating a big challenge like the Coast to Coast.

“Work out your motivation – you’ve got to be really clear on your ‘why’ first up. Then write a list of what we call barrier’s and enablers in psychology – all the things you are worried about, the hurdles you need to overcome, the things stopping you from saying yes or that get in the way of your ability to train; then work out ways to overcome these, break the big ones down to make them achievable, find workable solutions and get help where you need it.”

That’s why, on summer afternoons, she hopes you’ll be able to find her, out on the beach in Sumner, climbing over those big boulders, learning to trust her footwork, getting better at it - one rock at a time.

PODCAST - Season 3 Ep 01

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 19:31:51 GMT

In dads footsteps

Sun, 15 Aug 2021 19:13:13 GMT

When Dave Reid competed in the two-day individual event at the Coast to Coast back in 2013, he had three special people in his support crew. Son Josh, 11 at the time, son Ollie, eight and his youngest son Lachie who was just six.

Memories of the finish line that day are still firmly etched in his mind.

“I remember Steve Gurney congratulating me at the finish line and saying what an inspiration it will be for my boys.

“Then Josh said to me at the time, ‘I want to do this with you one day Dad.”

Roll on eight years, and that statement is about to become a reality.

Dave, Josh and Ollie will all take part in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast in February 2022 as part of a three-person team.

“This was definitely something driven by Josh.

“The desire to do this event has just stayed with him for all of those years. It wasn’t any prompting from me,” Dave said.

Not that you’ll find him complaining. Dave said he first entered The Coast to Coast as part of a team in 2012, bitten by the bug he returned for the individual event the following year.

“It was bucket list stuff really. It was something that I always wanted to do.”

The family is keen on the outdoors, tramping and skiing, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that the boys have followed their father into the multi-sport event.

Dave, who is a part owner of Barracuda Kayaks, will take up the kayaking leg, while Ollie will tackle Goats Pass and Josh the cycle. “We probably have gone where our strengths lie.

“Josh is down at Canterbury and so spends a lot of time biking and Ollie is really fit playing a lot of high-level hockey.

“The boys don’t have their Grade 2 and probably haven’t spent much time on the water outside of sea kayaking on family holidays.

“But there will be plenty of time for that in the future,” Dave said.

The Reids, who hail from Beachlands in Auckland, haven’t yet had the opportunity to start training together - with Josh in Christchurch and Ollie in the midst of the hockey season. However, Dave said as soon as it’s possible that’s their plan.

“When Josh is back home for the university holidays in November, we will all start training together.

“I also intend to take the boys for a bit of a prelim of the course and especially show Ollie Goats Pass.”

He said while Ollie is “really fit” seeing Goats Pass for the first time is likely to throw up a few nerves for the 17-year-old.

“He might have a little freak out when he sees it, but both the boys have been at the event before and know what to expect.”

For Dave, what he is looking forward to the most is sharing everything he loves about the Coast to Coast with his sons.

“It’s actually hard to put into words what it is that makes this event so special.

“Obviously it is iconic and it’s a bucket list event for a great many of the competitors. But it’s also so much more than that.

“It’s the most stunning scenery and the atmosphere is just incredible. The feeling of comradery among the competitors is amazing. I am really looking forward to sharing that with Josh and Ollie.”

Academy spot still up for grabs

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 06:13:09 GMT

High Schools around New Zealand have one last chance to get their hands on an entry into the sold-out Kathmandu Coast to Coast, with entries to the Kathmandu Coast to Coast Academy now open until July 30.

The Academy, which is in its 5th year, aims to support young people in their quest to compete in New Zealand’s longest running multisport event and potentially spark a love for the outdoors.

Along with a schools’ team entry into the 2022 event, Academy winners will also receive Kathmandu gear up to the value of $1,000, Coast to Coast branded team kit, coaching from an elite multisport athlete, assistance towards a grade two kayak certificate, the use of a barracuda enigma kayak and loads more.

The three-person team entry is made up of one cyclist who has the honour of starting the race in Kumara on the rugged West Coast as well as the final ride into the finish line at New Brighton Beach, one mountain runner who tackles the challenging 32-kilometre Goat Pass, and one kayaker who’ll paddle 70 kilometres of the infamous Waimakariri River.

“This part of the event is really exciting for us,” said Race Director Glen Currie, “gaining an entry into the Kathmandu Academy can often be the catalyst to young people starting a real love affair with adventure and the outdoors and we’re really delighted to be able to be part of that journey with them.”

“We’re really grateful for the support and backing of our partners like Kathmandu, Barracuda which enables us to be able to offer this opportunity,” Currie continued.

Christchurch’s St Andrews College won the Academy Prize Pack in 2021, while Aotea College from Porirua and Linwood’s Coast to Coast Rangers have also been previous recipients of the award, many of whom have gone on to be involved in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast in the following years.

The prize is also available to schools that have already gained entry to the sold-out event with Race Director Glen Currie adding, “the more creative entry the better.”

Follow the link to enter. Click here

Manson signals his intent to go one better.

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 01:12:25 GMT

After a couple of months to digest finishing agonisingly close to winning the 2021 Kathmandu Coast to Coast title, Sam Manson says he’ll return more ready than ever to stake his claim for the coveted World Multisport Championship in 2022.

After leading a break away on the first cycle leg and being out in front for almost all of the gruelling 243-kilometre race, Manson was reeled in with just 30 kilometres to go by eventual race winner Dougal Allan, forcing Manson to settle for second.

However, the 29-year-old is ready to use that experience as motivation as he announces his entry into the event's 40th anniversary race in February. “I was gutted to get so close this year but incredibly proud of how most of the day went... I know I can win this race and I won’t stop until I have."

While 2021 wasn’t the first time Manson has finished 2nd, his latest performance gives him real confidence that he has the ability to win the much sought-after title. “Each year I get a little bit faster, and I’m certain next year will be no exception."

Manson has consistently achieved a Top 10 placing since his first event in 2013.

While training consumes a lot of his time, working as a coach to other Coast to Coast competitors through his own small business, alongside guiding and teaching on the Coast-to-Coast course, Manson is continuing to build up a library of course knowledge. “The nature of my work means that I am always on the terrain that the Kathmandu Coast to Coast takes place on, from knowing the Waimakariri river braids to the ‘secret’ lines through the Goat Pass run stage. If I’m not training on the course, I am working with clients on it. Course knowledge is one of my advantages and it definitely plays its part on race day."

Manson is the first top-ranked male competitor to announce their entry into the 2022 Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

The multisport race has been running every year since 1982 and the upcoming 2022 event will be a milestone 40th event. 1-Day competitors must travel by foot, bike and kayak from Kumara Beach on the West Coast of the South Island to New Brighton beach, Christchurch on the East Coast, a total of 243 km.

Entries are currently completely full with a large waitlist.

Sold out in minutes

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 17:15:06 GMT

Unprecedented demand has seen the 2022 Kathmandu Coast to Coast sell out in less than five minutes.

Entries for the iconic multisport event opened at midday yesterday, where nearly two thousand people were already waiting online, looking to snap up the 1,000 available entries.

It’s a great turnaround from seven years ago, when Trojan Holdings purchased the event with just 460 entries in total. “It’s hard not to be disappointed for the people who missed out, but it’s also a reflection of how much hard work and dedication that’s gone into the event to make it a favourite with Kiwis, Aussies and multisporter’s from around the world,” said Race Director Glen Currie.

Currie said that while Covid19 had been tricky to manage and acknowledged that it has had a negative impact on a lot of businesses, he felt the increased demand for space was in part down to kiwis wanting to get out and about in the outdoors. “The feedback we’re getting is kiwis are again falling in love with their own backyard and as a result the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is again a must do for kiwis all around New Zealand, New Zealanders are travelling near not far!’

Currie who runs the event with just three other’s and a mountain of volunteers said the team was feeling humbled, honoured and excited about the level of interest in the event. “Running events is hard, really hard, especially with Covid19, health and safety and the commercial pressures that come with operating an event like this. But when people react like they have and sign up, well that just makes it all worthwhile.”

Entries for the events major category the Longest Day saw the most entrants in its history since being introduced in 1987, with over 300 people entering to take on the gruelling 243-kilometre course in one day. The longest day has proven to be the ultimate endurance goal for individuals in New Zealand with over more entrants than ever signed up for this category.

A waitlist has been created and those people on this will be contacted in the next week.

New category aimed at elite athletes

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 03:11:15 GMT

New Zealand’s most iconic multisport race the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is set to evolve once again as one of the biggest changes to its format occurs in its 40-year history.

Since 1987, athletes wishing to take on the gruelling 243-kilometre course, which traverses the Southern Alps, in one day have had to do so as an individual. However, in 2022 organisers have introduced a three-person mixed one day category, to compete alongside the famous ‘Longest Day’.

Race Director Glen Currie said the new category is an exciting evolution of the event, and he expects several experienced specialist athletes to team up to take on the challenge. “Part of the appeal of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast has been the fact the event has largely remained the same since its inception 40 years ago. Athletes are basically running over the same course that the competitors did four decades ago. However, this has also meant that some of the best specialist athletes haven’t been able to enter the race and experience what makes this event so iconic and part of New Zealand’s fabric. So, by introducing this new category we feel really excited that we will be able to include some of those amazing athletes, while still honouring the history and essence of the race.”

“As the owners and race organisers we feel a real sense of responsibility to protect the aura of the Longest Day and the athletes that commit so much to taking on the challenge of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast. For most multisporters the Longest Day is regarded as the pinnacle multisport race in the world, and we’re 100% committed to ensuring that is still the case for years to come, but through lots of consultation we’re confident that getting more elite level athletes involved in the event will have positive benefits for everyone,” Currie added.

2019 and 2021 Longest Day Champion Dougal Allan echoed Currie’s sentiments. “It’ll be awesome to have some of those specialists competing and testing themselves on the same course we compete on. I’ve always wondered from an elite athlete perspective how a specialist would go compared to a multisporter and now we will get the chance to find out.”

However, Allan, who also competes in Ironman, had a word of advice for those entering the new category. “The thing is they’re still going to have to respect the course. There’s no run like Goat Pass, there’s no kayak like the Waimakariri, so even if they’re Olympians or extremely experienced athletes, if they want to be the fastest, they’re going to have to get to know the course.”

While the entries don’t officially open until March 08, Currie says there has been interest from outside of New Zealand already.

“We have already reached out to our mates across the ditch and there’s talk of the likes of Robbie McEwan, regarded as one of their best ever cyclists to be interested in the cycle legs. I’m sure this will create even more Trans-Tasman rivalry.”

Currie said making the category mixed will also mean teams will require an element of strategy when selecting their team.

“ All three disciplines take real skill and knowledge, but like any team event they also require working together and each person doing their best. Is it best to have the woman do the kayak and the men the run section? Or the woman cycle and the men kayak and run, will we see teams enter with two women and one man? I hope so, but this is the joys of setting this up, is it will be for teams to decide how they’ll organise themselves.”

Learning to succeed

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 02:11:13 GMT

I have often remarked to myself and my athletes: “You either succeed, or you learn”. What I have probably failed to acknowledge, is that on the odd occasion and with the right mix of fortunes, you can have both. On Saturday when I crossed the line as the 2021 Coast to Coast champion, I knew it had been one of those days.

My plan wasn’t drastically different to other years: use the first half of the day to set a platform for the second. The subtle difference in my approach had more to do with small changes to equipment and logistics than it did to race tactics and strategy. I’d also made a conscious effort to take a more balanced approach to my training build to the race this year. You see, I consider myself 1/3 father & husband, 1/3 coach and 1/3 athlete. So I felt it was important that my time and energy be more appropriately balanced to reflect this. My overall training volume was approximately 75% of what it has been in the past. But energy, enjoyment levels and overall health and vitality benefited hugely.

The race itself turned into an outrageous display of courage and strength by Sam Manson who led us through the first 10 hours. My complacency in a large bunch meant he slipped away unnoticed with a couple of others somewhere along the first 55km bike stage and by the time I had caught wind, he was a few minutes up the road. That was not part of the script, but it was a brilliant move by Sam and I was left with nobody to blame but myself for not being in a better position in the bunch to see it happen.

I shot off into the mountains by foot with Carl Bevins, Scott McDonald, Ryan Kiesanowski and Steve Melton for company and Sam 2.5 minutes ahead. We quickly found our rhythm and I could sense that the effort to run with this group was striking a nice balance between efficiency and pace. I figured if we weren’t losing too much time we’d be best to keep moving along as we were. The trouble was, we had no clue whether we were making or losing time to Sam. It wasn’t until Goat Pass when a media person mentioned 3 minutes in a less-than-convincing tone, that we had a rough idea the time gap wasn’t changing too much.

Somewhere between the pass and the Minga flats (approximately 7km from the end of the run) we lost time and were told Sam’s lead was now around 7 minutes. Admittedly I panicked a little when I heard this and decided it was time to get on with it. I push along to Klondyke Corner as the second athlete to arrive, but 7 minutes in arrears. Certainly not a split to send massive alarm bells off, but equally not one that allowed any complacency. I was on the middle bike and starting to hustle.

On the run down to the kayak I ate a couple of boiled potatoes and told my crew that while my body wasn’t giving me amazing vibes, I was sticking to the plan and looking forward to getting on with the kayak. They reinforced the need to trust my plan and it was just what I needed to hear. When I set off in the kayak from Mt White Bridge, I made sure to keep my heart rate down at a level that I know offers my best chances of a consistent paddle across four hours.

It would be another 3 hours (at Woodstock) before I would get any information on the gap to Sam. Those 3 hours felt like a long time to keep shelving the doubt and continue to believe that I might see Sam again before New Brighton.

I just pretended I was paddling with my training mate Hamish Pepper on Lake Wanaka, to help pass the time and feel the simple sense of joy that paddling a kayak brings. The split at Woodstock was 3.45min which was great news, because it meant I had pulled back 2-3 minutes and by Gorge Bridge it was down to 2.50min. As I exited the kayak I knew I had to stay in the moment and keep doing what I had done all day, focus on the job at hand.

The last ride was a bit of a blur. It really just involved putting my head down, eating and drinking and pushing the pedals. Funny how 10-11 hours of racing leaves the brain in a very simplistic state. That is about all I could think to do. Luckily I was able to catch and pass Sam about 25km into the 70km stage. As I went by I put my hand on his back. Nothing was said. But I intended it to be a display of respect and admiration for the way he had raced. I have been runner-up in this race four times, so I knew the feeling and wanted to acknowledge his performance at a time where he was no doubt devastated. As I said at the finish (and as Gordon Walker once said about me in 2010), he will win this race one day.

Simone Maier's winning story

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 19:23:27 GMT

In her words - Simone's race day story

I couldn't be more happier right now with my result over the weekend – it meant soooo much for me, for a whole lot of reasons.

It wasn’t just about winning the coast to coast 2021 again. It was about overcoming / conquered my fears from last year’s DNF and slaying them, and showing to every athlete out there it is not the end of the world when things don’t go to plan / don’t work out the way they should have. The key learning from that was: What am i’m going to do about it to make it better next time? And I made it better this time.

I did it and I did it bloody well! I couldn’t have executed my race plan any better than I did, I played my B card which was my safe/smart plan(!) – given that I don’t really write any plans before the race ��‍♀️. I do them as I go but was thinking about different scenarios before the race.

Because of last years horrible experience I just wanted to be safe and comfortable with myself, of course while racing neck and neck with Elina I wouldn’t say it was that comfortable (haha…) I knew as long as I was eating and not redlining I should be OK.

My plan was to keep chasing who ever is in front of me of the ladies, I guess we all had our eyes on Ali Wilson like the year before.

She was first out on the run and amongst the fast guys on the bike, as expected. Things slightly changed when our bunch caught up with the leading men, with Ali in with them. That's where I got just a little excited , still a very long way to go and my main focus remained play safe, stay safe!

Off the bike of course Ali went first out the chute, with me second and Elina right on my heels. I tried to just focus on myself, keep my breathing under control and ease into it on the first 3km flat running. As we came down to the first river crossing Elina grabbed me, I was a little irritated (what the F…. is going here) but I thought “well if you grab me I will grab you” because we both had Ali in front. We figured it was best to work together on the crossings to make it easier to reel her in.

We did end up taking different tracks straight after that but joined up very quickly, with me in front. I was happy that I remembered that shortcut and it made me giggle! Anyway Elina would not let me get away at all and I certainly wasn’t going to let her go, either. As we caught up to Ali we were all running together for quite a while. We also had two guys with us which I was kind of happy they knew the best, smooth lines to take up to the Goat Pass Hut, so I made sure we stayed with them.

Another slight new/nice experience I had with Elina – at one point I pushed her up a rock as I was right behind her and we needed to get moving – I did say “I’m sorry, I don’t really want to touch your bum but we just need to get going”. I thought it is nice when you can help someone, especially while you racing each other flat out. Later on, I took a tumble and Elina gave me a hand to get up (or not completely face plant, I can’t quite remember), but I thought that was very unique!

On the last climb up to Goat Pass Hut we did make a move and passed the guys, by then I couldn’t see Ali anymore but was still aware she couldn’t be far behind us. I thought she was just saving herself and would follow our path… and at the top she would unleash and smash us all the way down. Little did I know, Elina and I never saw her again, we just kept on moving the best we could, taking turns until just before Dudley’s Knob, where Elina took the lead and that was just perfect for me. I wasn’t feeling the greatest on that run, I knew I could do better but that day I decided to play it safe as the memories from last year were still stuck in my head and I didn’t want that feeling I had last year again.

Coming into Klondyke Corner just a few seconds down on Elina I was pretty happy with myself and knew I could catch her and pass her on the middle bike. I lost a few more second in the transition, as we couldn’t find my bike hahah…. just to add a bit more excitement. On the bike it didn’t take long before I passed Elina, we had a great tail wind. I also made sure I stayed focused over the one way bridge just after Klondyke with the hard left-hand turn coming up, because I also had some trauma memories from crashing there two years ago, haha… This time around I took it very nicely and off I went, making sure I kept eating and drinking as much as I could to refuel, with different food from the run where I could only manage gels and cliff blocks.

Coming into the bike TA at the top of the Mt White Bridge was a good feeling as I felt way better than last year – hurray, happy me! But where was my support crew? Oh there she is, somehow I kind of stopped thinking that I could just get going myself down to the kayak TA but I was kind of waiting for Rachel, while she was running towards me with waving hands as I started to run down to her.

I did see I had a little lead over Elina, and took that opportunity to jump quickly into the bushes for a poo which was much needed at that stage. I’m quite ‘efficient’, and as I spotted her I was out and about carrying on running down to the kayak transition. Over the bridge I spotted Marcel in his bright orange headgear – so good to see him there . My transition was OK, but Elina’s was slick and quick , for me still room for improvement .

Into the kayaks and off we went. I took the right channel and she went straight, we joined only a few km after that together and basically paddled within 50m of each other for the remaining 65km. Holy moly! Yes it was great, great for me – I was very happy to have someone to follow, as we all know Elina is a exceptional paddler I thought if I can just stick with her for as long as possible that would be amazing and really good for me. So I did but it wasn’t easy, she made me work hard and I loved it. I wasn’t sure how my legs would be coming out of the kayak and getting onto the bike, but as it turned out they where fine.

I was faffing a bit in the last TA with a change of clothing, while Elina just slipped through the transition again Very impressive, but never mind.

Onto the bike – man it was blowing hard, hard into my face. Did I say to my friends I would like some strong winds on that last final bike? Yup, I did. I didn’t feel that great, but i don’t know what it is, you put me on a bike and something just clicks and I go. It took me a little time to get into a routine and after a bit of good food (kumara mash and coffee on the go) whoop whoop, away I went. It took about 30min to catch up to Elina and man, was I happy to see her, but also aware there was still 1:30hrs left to go and anything could happen.

As I passed her, I never looked back if she would stay with me. I kept my head down in my TT bars and pushed hard into the north-easterly headwind. Despite looking at my power meter that kept telling me I’m only pushing 130/150W, I didn’t get too caught up about the numbers as I knew I was riding well – looking at my old school gearing at the front (sometimes old school / not having the latest greatest technology can be a good thing ) +hint – I’d love a new bike The first time I turned around to see if anybody was behind me was turning from Tram Road onto the Main North Road, and lucky me! No-one in sight. Phew! But again still quite a few km to go so I just put my head back down and kept on riding.

Somehow I had this feeling I just have to keep pushing all the way to the finish line, even getting off the bike and running into the finishing chute, hobbling and trying to run, all I had in my head was “get to that finish line first don’t let anybody pass you.” hahah… So I did and man what a feeling ….

I would like to say a massive thank you first to my partner in crime Marcel Hagener the man that has been by my side and supporting me for the last few years. In great times and the most down times, like last year. He wouldn’t give up believing and supporting me to have a good comeback this year. I’m so happy we achieved this together

Team results = dream results

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 04:07:24 GMT

Despite needing the aid of a set of crutches, Dave Maitland wasn’t about to let the team down and give up on his 27th Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

Racing alongside son Mark Maitland, who had previously only run about as far as it took to tackle somebody in rugby, Dave, who recently fractured his pelvis in three places, finished top of the Family and Mixed two-person team category in a time of 12:55:39.

“I wasn’t going to miss it. It’s the event that sort of brings you level again and sets you right for the year,” Dave Maitland said.

“It’s only fractured in 3 places on the right side, so it’ll come right.”

Mark Maitland, who’d watched his dad compete right throughout his life, and only gave up rugby this year, said he found the course a challenge, especially the final bike ride into New Brighton. “It was really good, but definitely tough, especially at the bottom of South Eyre Rd and that wind just changed.”

Maitland and Maitland finished in 12:55:39 with other Kathmandu Coast to Coast regulars Kelly and Zac Barber finishing second in 13:22:12 and Todd Wilkins and Annabel Eberlein in third.

Three Person team

Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard found out how strong the Canterbury easterly can blow during the final bike ride from the Waimakariri Gorge to the finish line at New Brighton. Representing his Parliamentary team alongside Labour MP Greg O’Connor, the pair were given a major boost with nine-time national surf ski champion Rachel Clarke powering down the river in 4 hours and 13 minutes.

“I’m tired. It was a pretty hard wind, but I was with some good people and that made it easier, we rotated and shared the work.”

“For the first time being involved in this event I have to say it’s so well organised, the most amazing scenery, but it’s the people that really make it. I have met some great people. I would do it again, but it would be in a team again because I’m not a runner or a paddler.”

TopSport, who consisted of women’s kayak record holder Kate Cambie, four-time Longest Day champion Sam Clarke and prolific mountain runner Daniel Jones, won the division in 10:59:27 with Further Faster in second and HarrisonBloy nabbing the last step on the podium and the top spot in the corporate section. As HarrisonBloy's final cyclist and mountain runner Matt Mustchin admitted when he crossed the finish line he was already eyeing up an entry for 2022. “It was absolutely brutal. I rode 60 km on my own, so it was a bit of a race within myself. But Liam just smashed it on the kayak like he always does and that is why I was by myself out there. I will be back next year, but I am going to do it for the individual."

The men’s category was won by 3Sum in 12:03:32 with Gung-Ho in second and Sloppy Rigs in 3rd.

Team Maiden etched their name onto the women’s trophy, stopping the clock in 14:29 flat, with Allan Scott Family Wine Makers in second and Insert Sponsor Here in third.

Three Person team - Schools

St Andrew’s College, who won the Kathmandu Academy prize pack last year, took out the Schools mixed category. The team of Ben Ferrier, Georgia Spark, and Nate Pringle crossed the finish line in 13 hours 20 minutes and 04 seconds.

Queenstown’s Wakatipu High School finished second in a time of 13:33:42 while Porirua’s Aotea College came home in 3rd.

Motueka High School Boys won the boys three-person team in 13:30:11 with McKenzie College picking up second and Aotea College Boys rounding out the podium.

Aotea College Girls won the girls three-person team title in 16:59:03.

Women’s Two Person

Radix Nutrition’s Emily Wilson and Jaqs Manson enjoyed their slightly more relaxed day than normal, with Wilson a usual Longest Day Competitor and Manson a quality athlete herself winning the Open women’s 2-person Team category in 13:46:27. Penny Roy and Olivia Robb finished second in 14:48:03 while Jo Gosse and Shelley Friedrich finished 3rd in 15:13:22 and took out the Veteran category.

Male Two Person

Paul Massie and Rob Loveridge claimed the spoils overall in the men’s veteran two-person category as well as topping the overall men’s two-person division. The duo rode home in 12:13:32, over half an hour ahead of Sam Shergold and Ben Cantley in 12:48:37 and Paul Chapman and Hayden Prattley in 12:57:13

Tandem

Former All Black Captain Richie McCaw was seen towing a bunch of about 60 others down South Eyre Road and finished second with teammate Rob Nichol in the Veteran Tandem Category just over 10 minutes behind good mates Bob McLachlan and Flavio Vianna.

That meant they missed out on the podium in the overall Tandem Category with Pecker Heads nabbing second and Mo U Down slipping in for third.

“It was good out there. Hard, but that’s to be expected. We had a good bunch that we were riding with so that makes it easier,” said McCaw. “We had a good first day, for us. We were racing against a few friends and we didn’t make any mistakes or disgrace ourselves. It was good to get through Goat Pass and not have to go the viaduct again, but you can’t control the weather.”

McLachlan was looking forward to giving McCaw a ribbing from time to time and joked that he’d remind him that 10 minutes was a long time.

Powered by Ice Cream slipped home to take out the women’s Tandem division in 15:01:49 with Methven’s Garage Fit in second and Team G & R a further 33 minutes back in third.

Father and son The Dooney’s won the mixed (Unranked) with Optimal Performance claiming second and the veterans title with The Hiit Squad claiming 3rd but winning the Open category.

For more results, please go here.

https://www.coasttocoast.co.nz/2021-results

Fairy tale finish for young and old

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 02:20:34 GMT

At just 17 years old Greymouth’s Emma Wilson became the youngest competitor to win the individual women’s two-day Kathmandu Coast to Coast, crossing the finish line in New Brighton in 13 hours 26 minutes and 54 seconds.

Wilson blitzed the course, completing the 243-kilometre course nearly 40 minutes ahead of Zoe MacClure, with Adele MacGregor rounding out the podium in 14 hours 14 minutes and 08 seconds. "I’m absolutely exhausted, but I’m pretty happy with how I went,” said Wilson at the finish line.

“I was so stoked that Goat Pass was open because I had to do the viaduct last year and it was so hard. The kayak was OK, but I died on the bike, especially coming into that headwind (on South Eyre Road). It was the best feeling to cross the finish line!”

Unaware that part of the prize pack for winning the two-day event was an entry into next year’s race Wilson said, “I think maybe I will take one or two years off and then maybe have a crack at the one day.” Perhaps that might change following prize giving.

Timaru’s Rob Lord claimed the spoils in the men’s two-day individual, beating veteran winner Richard Greer of Kirwee by just six seconds.

“I’m pretty happy to be the first one to cross that finish line, especially as it’s my first Coast to Coast,” Lord remarked.

“It was good having Richard there for the ride, we just chatted the whole way to the outskirts of Christchurch checking in on each other and making sure we were eating and things and then it was just all on to the end.”

Unfortunately for Greer he didn’t have the smoothest dismount from the 70-kilometre final bike ride “I had a fall at the final transition and he just got there - but that’s just racing. This is the 20th time I’ve done this, and I needed to make sure I could get the balance right with four kids, running my business and my wife who works too. I wanted to feel proud of my efforts and know I’d done my best through every pedal and paddle and step the whole way and I’m pretty happy.”

Men’s individual Longest Results (minus Elite category).

Christchurch’s Carl Bevins well and truly ‘pushed back the effects of turning 40’ by winning the Men's Veteran category (40-49) in the Longest Day.

Bevins not only took out the category but finished 6th overall and as the picture suggests led eventual winner Dougal Allan up and over Goat Pass.

Tauranga’s Ben Tallon claimed the second step on the podium in the veteran category, coming home in 12:14:38 and 13th overall while Aaron Prince finished 3rd and 21st overall in a time of 12:38:42

Tauranga’s Brad McNamara finished one spot behind Bevins overall and claimed the Open Men’s top spot in a time of 11:56:57 with David Jaggs second and 12th in 12:11:58 and Jamie Piggins who was part of the lead few on the first bike ride with Sam Manson and also crashed on the final bike ride into New Brighton 3rd and 18th in a time of 12:28:17

Napier’s George Christison won the Classic division (50-59) in 12:20:59 with Gordon Townsend 2nd and 27th in 13:25:15 and Mike Johnston in 3rd and 46th in 13:42:31

Duncan Hamilton produced a gallant effort to win the men’s Vintage category (60+) in 14:41:30 and finish 84th overall, with John Leath in 2nd and 92nd in 14:59:06 with Malcolm Sincock rounding out the podium spots in the men’s one day competition in 3rd and 118th in 16:40:03

Women individual Longest Results (minus Elite category).

North Canterbury mates and training partners Sara O’Neil and Belinda McCone headed home with a trophy each after O’Neil won the Open Women’s individual Longest Day category in 13:50:56 and McCone the Veterans category in 14:24:51 their wins also placing the pair 6th and 14th overall.

Amanda Rowe of Wellington finished 2nd in the women’s open and 9th overall in a time of 14:04:37 while Tauranga’s Matilda Lawrence rounded out the podium in 3rd and 11th place in a time of 14:11:50.

Queenstown’s Alexandra Martin came home in 2nd and 18th in the Women’s Veteran category in 14:52:47 while Christchurch’s Claire Le Grice stopped the clock in 14:58:56 for 3rd and 19th.

Greymouth's Paulette Birchfield was the only woman to finish in the Classic field with a courageous effort of 16:10:45 and finishing 29th overall in the women’s Longest Day.

Maier marks birthday celebrations with 2021 Title

Sat, 13 Feb 2021 08:59:41 GMT

It took the best of 200 of the 243-kilometre course for Wanaka’s Simone Maier to shake four-time champion Elina Ussher and add her name to the Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day women’s trophy for the second time.

The Wanaka multisporter and Nelson’s Ussher linked arm and arm in order to safely cross the Otira River at the start of the 30.5-kilometre Mountain Run and again mere seconds split the pair as they headed into the 70-kilometre paddle from Mt White Bridge to the Waimakariri Gorge Bridge.

“It was pretty unreal hanging out on the run together and then on the paddle together and then she got a bit of a head start at the final bike. I knew I would catch her on the bike, but also you never know what’s going to happen,” said Maier.

It was the perfect way for the new Champion to celebrate turning 41 yesterday and shrugging off any agonising memories from last years result when she was forced to withdraw due to the cold.

“It’s the best birthday present ever, I can’t believe it actually, it was a hard day!”

“Yes, I was pretty focused on this result. I started to coach myself again and did everything I did in 2019 when I won the title before.”

Maier paid tribute to Ussher who was feeling a little banged up, competing in her 16th Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

“That woman! I have got a lot of respect for her, she put on a stellar performance today,” Maier Said.

Tauranga’s Ali Wilson slipped into the Mountain Run 40 seconds ahead of Maier and Ussher, but was quickly passed on the unfamiliar terrain.

"Those girls can just move over that terrain and I was making silly mistakes. But at the end of the day I was just outclassed."

Wilson recovered from a ‘munted foot’ and a hole in her kayak to finish in third place in a time of 12 hours 54 minutes 03.

Nearly twenty minutes behind Maier who stopped the clock in 12 hours 34:49 and Ussher in 12:49:25

2021 Results – Top 5 Women

1st - Simone Maier - 12:34:49 - Wanaka/Germany

2nd - Elina Ussher - 12:49:25 - Nelson/Finland

3rd - Alison Wilson - 12:54:03 - Tauranga/England

4th Fiona Dowling - 13:05:38 - Christchurch/ Ireland

5th Claire Bell - 13:22:46 - Te Anau

Allan wins title number 2

Sat, 13 Feb 2021 08:14:23 GMT

Allan wins title number 2

A late charge down Canterbury’s South Eyre road has propelled Wanaka’s Dougal Allan to his second Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day Men’s Title.

The 35-year-old chased down Christchurch’s Sam Manson with 30 kilometres to go in the gruelling 243-kilometre multisport race to win in eleven hours, nine minutes and 52 seconds, nine minutes and six seconds ahead of Manson.

“It was a lot harder today to be honest (than his first win), and it feels easily as good to win today only because it took me 10 hours to take the lead and when you can’t see the athlete in front of you for 10 hours it’s too hard to believe that it’s possible. I think I’m probably more satisfied today from a mental standpoint.”

Manson got frustrated waiting for others in the bunch to do their share on the front, so took off at the forty kilometres mark with five other riders.

He took a 2 minutes forty lead into the Mountain Run, extending it to over six minutes at the start of the 70-kilometre kayak leg down the Waimakariri River.

Before the Wanaka professional multisporter chewed into Mansons’ lead, exiting the river just 2 minutes 40 behind.
“I knew Dougal would be chasing me. And the wind continued to pick up down the final bike ride, I just hoped that he would be further back and perhaps get a worse wind than me. Obviously, he still had a little bit more in the tank and did a really good job on that final ride.”

Allan knows exactly what it’s like to be runner up, having finished second himself in 2020.
“It was mixed feeling (when Allan passed Manson), I was excited to be taking the lead, but I love Sam Manson like a brother. We’ve raced together and against each other ¬- he’s going to win this race one day.”

“I could just sense how much he wanted to win this today, he wanted it but came up a little short. Make no mistake, I’m thrilled, but I’m feeling a bit for Sammy.”

Swannanoa vegetable grower Ryan Kiesanowski braved a broken toe to claim the final podium place in eleven hours and 31 minutes 55 seconds.
“I saw the surgeon a couple of weeks ago and he said, ‘That’s going to need surgery’.”

The 37-year-old instead braved the pain to leap up over Goat Pass and paddle down the Waimakariri River.
“I started to feel the pain a bit at the back half of the mountain run, but the paddle was pretty challenging. I didn’t dare use my right rudder with about to 2k to go in the paddle.”

2021 Top Ten men's results

1- Dougal Allan 11:09:52
2- Sam Manson 11:19:46
3- Ryan Kiesanowski 11:31:55
4- Sam Goodall 11:36:25
5- Scott McDonald 11:38:25
6- Steve Melton 11:58:19
7- Dane McKnight 12:02;00
8- Oliver Thompson 12:04:19
9- Caleb Hill 12:09:01
10- Ashley Whitehead 12:15:41

Athletes challenged on day one of the biggest ever Kathmandu Coast to Coast

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 05:13:37 GMT

The timing mat stopped at exactly the same time for Christchurch’s Rob Lord and Kirwee’s Richard Greer as the pair reached the halfway mark of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast men’s 2-Day individual.

Greer, who finished second overall last year, and Lord cantered into Klondyke, finishing the first bike leg and Mountain Run in five hours, 25 minutes and 42 seconds.

“It was never a focus coming into the event, but the closer it got the more I started to think about it” (winning), said Greer who is marking 20 years since his first Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

“It would be awesome if I was able to win the 2-day, but definitely yesterday if you said I’d be 1st equal at this point I’d take that every day of the week” Greer added.

The pair were part of 572 athletes who took on the 55-kilometer bike ride from Kumara Beach on the South Islands West Coast to Aickens corner where they switched the cycling cleats for off-road shoes and headed across the Otira River and up the Deception Valley before going over Goat Pass to finish 30.5 kilometers later at Klondyke Corner.

Greymouth’s Emma Wilson was the first female home in 6:11:24 and has a commanding 29 minutes and 44 second lead over Christchurch’s Adele McGregor and Jackie Eden who is a further minute back in third.

Tandem

Former All Black Captain Richie McCaw and teammate Rob Nichol are in 5th place overall in the Tandem category, but second in the veteran division after McCaw turned 40 just over a month ago. McCaw said despite competing in his fourth Kathmandu Coast to Coast he still finds the event a big challenge.

“The feeling you get here now is what you enjoy about it. There’s bits and pieces when you’re in the middle of the run and you think, ‘I don’t know why I’m doing this’, but as is always the way when you get to the end and look back and you get that feeling like you’ve achieved something.”

“It doesn’t get any easier, and even if you might get a bit better at it you go a bit harder and it’s still just as hard. The last couple of times we perhaps haven’t nailed what we wanted to nail, and that’s what keeps you coming back to try and put it together. Like all of these sorts of races, we could do a bit more of this or do something with the river and I think that’s the whole intrigue of it.”

“The vibe of it, it’s great to be involved. It’s a pretty cool event and it gives you something each day to get up for and train and that’s pretty important.”

McCaw and Nichol crossed the chalk in 6:26:24 only two minutes behind rivals Bob McLachlan and Flavio Vianna.

Father and son pair of Phil and Reeve Dooney lead the Tandem Category in a time of 5:44:24 with characters Ashley Christie and Josh Payne sitting in third.

Mt Run

14-year-old Callum Brown flew across the 30.5k Mountain Run in four hours, nine minutes and 39 seconds, finishing sixth overall and first in the School category.

Off the back of some solid training over the summer the Greymouth high school student said he was aiming for around four hours, but cramped up a little on the way down off the pass. “Sometimes the extra water in the river is good because it helps numb things, but it was a pretty hard day.”

St Andrews College teen Molly Spark was the first female mountain runner home in 4:18:46.

Darfield diesel mechanic Devon Crequer sprinted home in three hours and 37 minutes 38 to win the individual Mountain Run.

1- Devon Crequer 3:37:38

2- Scott Smith 3:49:57

3- Kendan Gibson

3 Person Team

Four-time Longest Day champion Sam Clarke got his TopSport 3-person mixed team off to a flyer, before renowned mountain runner Daniel Jones stopped the clock at 4:27:20. The pair are joined by Kate Cambie who holds the women’s Kayak record of 4 hours and four minutes which was set last year.

Further Faster will head for New Brighton tomorrow by restarting the clock in second position at 4 hours and 58 minutes.

Two Person Team

Paul Massie and Robert Loveridge lead the 2 person teams’ section with Greymouth High Schools Finlay Brown and Clark Fountain slipping home in 2nd in 5:43:20

Dave Maitland who is competing in his 27th Kathmandu Coast to Coast, this time alongside brother Mark, sits in 3rd.

The 2-day athletes start in 2 minute waves at 07:00 tomorrow from Klondyke Corner, riding 17 kilometers to Mt White Bridge, before Kayaking 70k’s and then finishing with a 70k slog down Sth Eyre Road to end up at Christhurch’s New Brighton beach.

The Longest Day competitors start back on Kumara beach at 06:00.

Big benefits for local communities

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 09:43:50 GMT

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The biggest ever Kathmandu Coast to Coast in its 39-year history will again provide a financial shot in the arm that many local communities along its iconic route are in need of.

Community groups from Kumara on the South Islands West Coast to New Brighton on the East, who all contribute to the successful running of the iconic 3-day event will take home their share of over Fifty Thousand dollars in donations as well as further income from their sales and services.

Local school Sheffield Primary recently opened a new playground all thanks to the donation and money raised from providing delicious food to the competitors and supporters at Klondyke Corner. Principal Nigel Easson says the event is the biggest annual fundraiser for the school with this year’s funds earmarked to go towards a planned music centre and art suite, as well as musical and IT equipment. “As a small rural school, we wouldn’t be able to achieve all of the extra things we want without fundraising. We are really proud of the relationship we have with the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.”

The famous Sheffield Pie shop has long been the place for competitors, supporters and officials to meet and eat. Not only one race weekend but right throughout the summer as the competitors head into the nearby hills and rivers to train, “we look really forward to it, it’s manically busy, but financially it’s a great boost and it’s one we can count on every year”, says owner Loretta Paterson.

“We have had so many regular competitors, familiar faces who have come in over the years as they head up to Goat Pass or out to the Waimakariri to train, but we also get new competitors who come in and say that they’ve been told they have to call in for a pie. We love hearing that.”

“It’s not just us though, the Coast to Coast is great for the whole area, it’s really important to all of the businesses around here.”

These are words echoed by the Mayor of the Grey District, Tania Gibson as the no vacancy signs went up around many of the accommodation providers in town.

“The Coast to Coast is an amazing event for us.”

“Economically it’s huge for the district, but it’s more than that. There is a real buzz that starts to build as soon as the flags start to go up.”

“All accommodation is well and truly at capacity, it’s huge for our hospitality providers and it’s a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase all that is great about this district to our visitors,” Gibson says.

When all is said and done on Saturday the 13th of February – athletes and supporters look forward to celebrating in Christchurch and enjoying all that the city has to offer. “The finish line event is set to be an exciting day in New Brighton with a party atmosphere and presents an awesome opportunity to cheer home our incredible athletes.” Said ChristchurchNZ General Manager Destination and Attraction Loren Heaphy.

“ChristchurchNZ values the event as a chance to promote our city and our region to those who compete in, support or spectate this amazing event.” Heaphy added.

Nearly 1,200 competitors from all over New Zealand and their support crew’s which often average about 3 -4 per competitor head to Greymouth for registration on February 11 and travel back to the finish line in New Brighton on February 13 followed by prize giving at Addington Raceway on the 14th.

Some of the community groups to benefit from the relationship between them and the Kathmandu Coast to Coast include the Lake Brunner, Springfield, Sheffield and West Eyreton Schools as well as Marion College and Middleton Grange. Oxford, Malvern and New Brighton Lions , Sheffield Cricket Club, Methven Search and Rescue, Kumara Community Group, Kumara Racecourse, New Brighton Surf Club, Scouting NZ and the Hokitika Cycle Club.

Local, repurposed, and special.

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 10:03:18 GMT

Kathmandu Coast to Coast teams up with local Christchurch company to produce finsher's medal

The nearly twelve hundred athletes competing in this weekend’s 39th Kathmandu Coast to Coast are in for something extra special.

Leaning heaving on their values of looking after the environment and heeding the advice to ‘shop local’ race organisers Trojan Holdings teamed up with world renowned design company, Design Box, a family operated company based in Christchurch, to produce the participants medals and category trophies.

However, what makes these medals extra special is the pendants have all followed the same path as the competitors will, washing out of the Southern Alps before ending up on the shoreline of Canterbury’s beaches before being individually collected and processed by the team at Design Box.

“When we were approached by Glen (Currie) the Race Director, we knew straight away this was something we’d like to be involved with. It’s such an iconic event,” said David Harré, Design Box principal.

“As we started to unpick and discuss the journey of the competitors, the time and care the event takes around sustainability and their Leave no Trace principles, we came quite quickly to sourcing the raw materials such as the stone from the beaches here in Canterbury and the Rimu for the trophies from the bush on the West Coast.”

“Being able to have a pendant like this, that really represents not only the story of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast but also our values of taking care of the environment, will be a very cool memento for the competitors,” said Race Director Glen Currie.

“The values we hold dear to us as an organisation have allowed us to become the oldest multisport event in the country and for us to be able to share those in a tangible way with the competitors is something that we find special. It gives me goose bumps just thinking about how special we think these finishers medals will be,” Currie added.

“Those same values are held by Kathmandu and many of our other partners too, it really is part of the culture of the event.”

“Whether it’s training or competing, you’re out there creating memories, and I think when you’re sitting at home in a few years’ time and you hold the pendant it’ll make all those special memories come flooding back which will be pretty cool too.”

The competitors medals had previously been manufactured offshore, however with the advent of Covid 19 putting a strain on a number of kiwi businesses race organisers made a conscious decision to shift their spending to a local organisation.

“We try to support local organisations as much as possible in everything we do, and this was actually one area where we’d previously been unable to find a suitable outcome locally. But we really took it upon ourselves to make every adjustment to our business that we could and connecting with David was a dream outcome.”

International feel to Women's Top 4

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 18:11:15 GMT

Despite the New Zealand borders remaining closed due to Covid19, the 2021 Kathmandu Coast to Coast Elite Women’s field will have a distinctly international feel to it.

While now calling New Zealand home, the first four of the top ranked females are all expat Brits or Europeans.

2019 Champion Simone Maier, originally from Germany, has been ranked number one, closely followed by last year’s second place getter Ali Wilson, who now calls Tauranga home after growing up in North Yorkshire, England.

Christchurch’s Fiona Dowling hasn’t forgotten her Irish roots and will proudly don the tri colour flag on her bib, while four-time champion Elina Ussher is equally proud to represent both Finland and Nelson.

Te Anau beekeeper Claire Bell is the highest ranked born and bred kiwi, starting the run of home-grown talent which includes Wanaka’s Ailsa Rollinson in 6th and Christchurch’s Holly Weston in 7th.

Race Director Glen Currie says that while he had a heck of a job seeding the 2021 female field, he is expecting both Fiona Dowling and Claire Bell to be there at the pointy end of the race. “Claire just needs a little luck; she’s four races in now and knows the event and just needs things to go her way. In 2018 she was in 3rd before breaking a rudder in the kayak leg and slipping back to seventh.”

“Fiona on the other hand, who’d had a limited build up last year still came out and finished 3rd for the third year in a row, proving just how strong she is.”

Currie, a three-time Elite Men’s competitor himself, believes it takes a couple of races for athletes to get a real appreciation for the challenging course and demands of the Longest Day. “There are so many things that you need to go your way in order to win it, it’s an 11- or 12-hour race at the front of the women’s competition and last year only 3 minutes separated first and second and there was only another three minutes back to Fiona in third.”

One of those that has managed to buck that trend in recent times is Tauranga’s Ali Wilson.

The former triathlete surprised even herself in her debut race last year, leading for much of the race before eventually being reeled in by 2020 Women’s Champion Corrinne O’Donnell to finish runner up by just three minutes and five seconds.

“Ali is an exciting athlete to watch and she will have a far better idea of how the event will play out this year,” Currie commented. “But so too will all of her competitors. I don’t think they’ll want to let her get away on the bike like she did last year.”

Wanaka’s Simone Maier also returns to the start line, looking to shrug off last year’s performance after she was forced to withdraw during the kayak leg due to suffering from the cold.

“Simone’s like a finely tuned race car, she’s a great athlete and she proved that in 2019,” said Currie.

“She’s also a fierce competitor, so not making it to the finish line won’t have sat that well with her I’d suggest. So, as it has been for the past few years, the women’s Longest Day is again going to be a real battle and one to keep a very close eye on during the day.”

Nelson’s Elina Ussher returns for her 16th event in a row and will be sure to keep all other competitors honest. Ussher knows exactly what it takes to compete at this level. Since winning her third and fourth titles in 2016 and 2017, the 44-year-old has finished 2nd once and fourth on two other occasions. “Elina will have a good race, there is no doubt about that, and all the other women will be aware of that too. She is arguably the most experienced competitor out of the entire elite field, men included, the main question is whether she still has the speed in the legs to hold off the younger competitors.”

The winner of the 2021 women’s longest day will walk away with $10,000, while the prize money for both the second and third place getters has been increased this year to $4,500 and $2,500 respectively, which is equal to the prize money the men receive.

2020 Champion Corrinne O’Donnell won’t compete this year due to starting a family.

The Kathmandu Coast to Coast 2-Day and Teams events starts on February the 12th while the Longest Day begins on Saturday the 13th.

Top 10 seeded women, 2020 Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day

Simone Maier – Wanaka

Alison Wilson – Tauranga

Fiona Dowling – Christchurch

Elina Ussher – Nelson

Claire Bell – Te Anau

Ailsa Rollinson – Wanaka

Holly Weston – Christchurch

Liz McDougal - Nelson

Penzy Dindsdale - Napier

Tessa Aukje Dekker - Christchurch

McCaws fourth might be his toughest yet

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 17:59:22 GMT

Richie McCaw’s fourth Kathmandu Coast to Coast experience might just be his most competitive.

The former All Black captain turned adventure racer will take on the tandem section for the third time in a team alongside long-time friend and teammate Rob Nicol, with the pair looking for a complete performance this year after having suffered from nausea and severe cramps during the two previous outings.

The pair will also come up against ‘Wanaka Bob’ McLachlan, who is a renowned paddler and outdoorsman, who is teamed up with well-known multisporter Flavio Vianna to race under the team name New World St Martins as well as former All Black seven’s player Josh Blackie and brother Adam. “Like every year, we are going out to do our thing and not get too caught up in who else is there, but we are both competitive and there certainly are some talented athletes entered this year,” said McCaw.

“We’d just like to have a year where both Rob and I feel good and healthy at the same time, so we can see how we can actually go.”

McCaw was famously forced to consume baby food two years ago after the 40-year-old fell ill the night before the start of the race while Nichol struggled with cramps in both his calves and quads in 2021.

However, it is all business for Vianna and McLachlan, with Vianna a regular training partner of McCaw’s. McLachlan, one of Richie and Robs usual Adventure Racing teammates, jokes it’s all about bragging rights! “Richie and Rob are great teammates, but unlike adventure racing where teams are usually made up of four competitors, the tandem only takes two people, so it’ll be them versus us I guess.”

“They’ve done the work to do all the right things, but we won’t let them get away with it”.

“They’re both a bit bigger than Flavio and me so hopefully we can get away from them in the Mountain Run, because I think they’ll have the better of us on the bike, but wouldn’t it be pretty cool if it comes down to a sprint finish at New Brighton!”

Blackie, who won Gold in the Sevens at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, heads back to the event for the second time, having completed the 2-day individual in 2018. “I really enjoyed the experience then and have wanted to come back and have another crack. The Coast to Coast is something that I’ve known about for a fair while and it really is the sort of event that people talk about.”

“I really enjoy the camaraderie and being able to get out and train with some mates for an event like this. So, we will see how we go.”

Blackie worked for Nichol at the Rugby Players’ Association following retirement from a 15-year rugby playing career, which included time at the Blues, Highlanders and Kobe Steelers in Japan. “Keeping fit is really important to me, otherwise I’m a little worried I’ll start to feel all the bumps and bruises from my playing days.”

“Rob and Richie have a fair bit more experience than Adam and me at this sort of stuff, but it’ll be fun out there keeping each other honest.”

76 teams will line up on the start line of the Tandem section, having to run, bike (on separate bikes) and paddle (tandem kayak) 243 kilometres from Kumara Beach on the South Island’s West Coast to New Brighton beach on the East.

Racing as Best Foot Forward, McCaw and Nichol crossed the line in 12:42:35 in 2020.

Prize money increased and 2021 Elite Men's preview

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 17:58:15 GMT

Prize money increased and 2021 Elite Men’s preview

There are more rewards on offer for the minor placings at the 39th Kathmandu Coast to Coast, but achieving one of those places just got a whole lot harder according to Race Director Glen Currie.

An extra $1,500 each will be given to the second and third place getters in both the Men’s and Women’s Longest Day competitions

Taking the 3rd place to $2,500 and 2nd to $4,500, while the Longest Day winner will continue to receive $10,000.

Currie, a three-time elite competitor himself, says the depth in this year’s men’s event is stronger than he can ever remember. “For a lot of professional and aspiring athletes getting a top 10 finish at the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is a massive achievement. But looking right across the field and how deep they are this year means that it’s going to be pretty hard to get.”

“Ranking the top ten men this year was a real challenge in the elite category, there weren’t many entries that I thought, who’s this or where has this person come from, all of them warranted a top ten ranking.”

Currie pointed to a few names outside of the elite category that could also easily finish in the top ten fastest times, such as previous winner George Christison who now competes in the Classic field but proved age is merely a number with a top 10 finish last year, as well as Aaron Prince who has a massive Adventure Racing pedigree and will line up under the Veterans banner.

While 2019 Champion Dougal Allan will be hard to beat, the battle between him and Christchurch’s Sam Manson will also be one to watch with the duo trading blows in recent competitions over the summer. ‘’Dougal is the clear favourite for the event this year. But Sam has certainly given Dougal something to think about lately. Sam is similar to Dougal in a lot of ways that he has been laying the groundwork for a victory, which realistically could take ten events.”

The pair recently raced as a team at the Five Passes Cycling Tour where Sam gained a full appreciation of how strong Dougal is on the bike. However, Sam dominated Dougal in the Clutha Classic which potentially served as a wake-up call for Dougal in terms of his kayaking as a couple of weeks later his paddling was on point, winning the Waimak Classic.

For that reason, Dougal wears the number one bib and Manson number two.

“My pick is Sam will push hard and be out in front during the first half of the day and once again South Eyre Road could be the place for a cat and mouse duel, which is also where Dougal comes into his own. The one athlete I can see upsetting both of them is Ryan Kiesanowski. Ryan is a veteran of the event now and despite suffering an injury early in the run leg in 2020, which put him out of the race, he has the ability across all three disciplines that on the right day he could easily rattle the podium. Don’t be surprised if Ryan’s GPS tracker has him out leading the pack for much of the race.”

Tauranga’s Scott McDonald and Steve Melton have earned the right to wear the number 3 and 4 bibs in 2021 after they too caught the eye of Currie.

Racing the Longest Day is about being consistent in all three disciplines. Scott and Steven proved that last year, on what was a fast but challenging course. Both now have the confidence of a good result under their belts and will be looking for that top three podium spot in 2021.

McDonald, who celebrates his 30th birthday the day before this year’s race, made his Longest Day debut in 2019 finishing 9th, following that result up last year with a 5th.

This will be Melton’s 2nd attempt at the Longest Day, finishing in 7th last year and winning the Open Men’s category just under one and a half hours behind four-time and 2020 Champion Sam Clarke.

Christchurch’s Hamish Elliott was a late withdrawal after breaking his hand in a running accident.

Currie also said he’s delighted to be able to add a little extra to the hard-working minor place getters.

“To win the event takes Olympian like determination and commitment over three disciplines and a hours of training, some times even years to get familiar with the course, and as event organisers we recognise this and strive to reward it.

Subsequently we have been working tirelessly over the last seven years to ensure the event is now financially sustainable and in a position to be able to further reward those elite athletes that achieve an amazing result.”

MEN’S TOP 10 2021

1 Dougal Allan - Wanaka

2 Sam Manson - Christchurch

3 Scott McDonald - Tauranga

4 Steve Melton - Christchurch

5 Ryan Kiesanowski - Swannanoa

6 Oliver Thompson - Kirwee

7 Ashley Whitehead - Nelson

8 Sam Goodall - Christchurch

9 Daniel Barry - Nelson

10 Lachie Brownlie - Nelson

Nutritional tips from some of the best

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 00:30:40 GMT

Nutrition Tips from Kathmandu Coast to Coast winners Dougal Allan, Sam Clark and Simone Maier, Presented by Radix Nutrition.

Nutrition and fuelling adequately for a multisport event is no walk in the park, much like the traverse from Kumara Beach to New Brighton Beach, it’s complex, hard to navigate and there are a few different routes you can take. Getting the right amount of energy that you require in the form that you need it can be a challenge.

Previous Kathmandu Coast to Coast Race winners Sam Clark, Dougal Allan and Simone Maier have no shortage of experience when it comes to multisport nutrition. Radix Nutrition sat down with them to discuss their top race tips for ensuring that their nutrition strategy is prepped, primed and ready for race day.

1) Plan in Advance- Dougal Allan

Spreadsheets - they're not just for office use. Dougal shares,

‘I use a spreadsheet and plan my race day nutrition so I’m sure I’ll have enough carbohydrate, electrolytes and fluids to manage myself through the day. It also means your support crew know exactly what you need and when.’

Planning out how and when to consume the energy that you need, is key to mitigating fatigue. Mapping out the points where your energy levels are likely to need replenishing and specifying the type of nutrition required will remove the guess work involved and enable you to direct your focus on the race ahead.

2) Trial whilst you Train- Sam Clark

Event nutrition and finding what works for you can involve a bit of trial and error, but what if you could minimise the error? Sam Clark shares his top tip,

‘Never try anything new on race day. Practice eating whatever you plan to eat as your race day breakfast in the days before the race.’

It’s a good idea to try to incorporate any changes to your event day plan in the weeks of training leading up to the big day.

EXAMPLE

For Simone Maier, her 2019 Kathmandu Coast to Coast Nutrition matched that of her previous events. It included:

55km Bike: 1 bottle of Amino Complex, 1/2 Bottle Nuun, 1/2 of EM's power bar

Goat Pass Run: 150ml Salomon Flask high solution Amino Complex, 5 Cliff Gels, 1/2 Em's Power Bar. She also carried an empty cup and tried to get as much water in during the run from the streams.

15km Ride: 1 Zip log bag Kumara Mash, 3/4 bottle of Amino complex

70km Paddle: 1.5l Coca-Cola, 1.5l Pure sports nutrition, 750 ml Amino complex, 2 Em's Power Bars, 3 x Clif Blocks stuck to her kayak’s deck.

70km Final Ride: 750ml Coca-Cola, 750ml Amino complex, 150ml Coffee

Having a mix of simple and complex carbs, electrolytes and a small amount of fat which can easily be absorbed into the blood stream will help to ensure that you are performing your best on race day.

Much like Simone’s race day nutrition illustrates, keeping your carbohydrate and the resultant energy levels topped up, will help to keep you on track to the finish line.

The important takeaway however, is to figure out what works best for you- and practice it, before the event!

3) Access to Food, Make it convenient - Dougal Allan

Training and the lead up to race week is busy, and it is important to get the right nutrition onboard throughout. Dougal suggests,

‘It’s important to stock up on stored glycogen so having healthy/convenient food at hand to keep the fuel coming in during race week is important. I’ll often make a Radix Meal while I have my breakfast, then it’s ready to eat at some stage in the day when I need a top up. Healthy, nutritious and convenient.’

For many athlete's optimal nutrition is a massive challenge. You’re trying to balance a busy professional life and don’t always have time for meal prep and cooking, and maybe you also don’t have the knowledge to prepare super healthy meals! This is where doing what Dougal does can save you a lot of time and stress, and help ensure you turn up on race day knowing you’re ready to perform.

If you’re interested to find out more about Radix Nutrition and their world-class meals designed for athletes and adventurers check them out at https://www.radixnutrition.com/ . They’re a New Zealand brand that is making massive strides in the sports nutrition space and are again a sponsor of this year's Kathmandu Coast-to-Coast.

Parliamentary team recruit gun paddler

Sun, 31 Jan 2021 18:13:04 GMT

Queen of the Harbour Rachel Clarke is swapping the salty sea for the crystal-clear rapids of the Waimakariri River in next month’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

Accustomed to looking after dignitaries as part of her role in the New Zealand Police, Clarke, a nine-time National Surf Ski Champion, has been recruited by the Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard and former President of the Police Association and now Labour MP Greg O’Connor to fill their three-person team and complete the kayak leg of the iconic event.

“Initially we were hoping to have former National MP Nikki Kaye join us, but with the result of some movement due to the election we were short of someone with their grade 2 kayak certificate,” said Mallard. “So, to be able to entice someone of Rachel’s calibre across to look after the two of us, and maybe make up some lost time will be very beneficial,” he added.

“Paddling white water and a braided river is very different, completely different, to what I’m used to, but the kayak leg of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast has been something on my bucket list for a while now, so I feel really fortunate to have been asked,” said Clarke.

After playing a supporting role on day one, Clarke’s role will be to try and slice through the field on the second day, paddling 70 kilometres from the Mt White Bridge to the Waimakariri Gorge bridge, where it will be Mallards job to complete the final 70k ride to the finish line at New Brighton Beach.

Recently paddling the course for the first time as part of a reconnaissance felt a little uncomfortable to begin with for Clarke, which was vastly different to sitting on top of a surf ski. “I found it really restricting for the first hour or so until I got used to it.”

Interestingly, despite stopping for plenty of conversation ahead of a number of rapids and paddling the river for the first time, Clarke completed the run through in four and a half hours, just less than half an hour off the women’s river record of 4 hours and four minutes.

“I’m probably the most competitive person I know, I did take a sneaky look at the record on the website, but that was about learning the boat and getting used to the rapids etc, not going fast or anything like that.”

“And come the race day it will all be about the conditions, the flow of the river and the weather, how many other boats are in the gorge. While I’m competitive, it’s also about being realistic.”

The Parliamentary team will compete alongside the Aotea College teams from Porirua, led by Judge Arthur Tomkinson. “When Arthur rang me, I had every intention of saying no” said O’Connor, who is a proud West Coaster. “But Arthur’s a very persuasive man and before I knew it we had committed a Parliamentary team. Arthur does a wonderful job mentoring and challenging young people to get out of their comfort zone and if we can support him and his endeavour’s, whilst also getting out of our own comfort zone, then I’m all for it,” finished O’Connor.

Both Mallard and O’Connor hoped this would be the start of an annual Parliamentary team, which would see members from all parties involved.

Harvey and Fouhy to add expertise

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 18:47:34 GMT

Popular radio host Dom Harvey admits he is a little scared, but raring to go for this year’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast. With the avid runner jumping at the chance to come on board as a support athlete for one of the Coast-to-Coast Rangers this year.

The Coast-to-Coast Rangers Programme is run through the Aspiring Youth Development Trust.

Jessy Moffatt, operations manager for the Rangers, reached out to Harvey a year ago after he completed five marathons in five days to raise money for a toddler needing specialist cancer treatment.

“I love listening to the show and just thought Dom would be a great fit with the kids. He was really keen to be involved, but unfortunately, he had another event on that weekend. He said to get in contact with him for the following year, so I did - he said yes straight away.”

Harvey says he loves running and if he can do something that he enjoys and help people at the same time it is an opportunity he won’t pass up. Despite having completed a number of marathons all over the world, he admits to a few nerves ahead of the iconic 30-kilometre mountain run over Goat Pass in the South Island’s Arthurs Pass National Park.

“I figure it’s going to be very tough and I’m going in completely blind. It would have been good to head down and do a reccy before the big day, but my schedule just wouldn’t allow for it. I’ll be watching a few YouTube videos of previous years, but that’s all the knowledge I’ll have.”

“I’m really looking forward to it though and getting to meet the young fella I’ll be doing it with. The Coast to Coast is such an iconic event and I’m happy to be a part of it - I’m so glad Jessy reached out.”

Harvey is not the only big name joining the Rangers ranks for the first time this year; former Olympian and world champion Kayaker Ben Fouhy has also come on board as a support athlete in the kayak. Another athlete Moffatt is rapt to have helping out.

“Charles Nimmo had been working with the kids and supporting them with kayaking and then, unfortunately, he put his shoulder out. I was trying to think who we could get to replace him, and I had Bob McLachlan (legendary paddler) staying with us and he said why not ask Ben Fouhy,” Moffatt says.

Fouhy says despite the unfortunate circumstances which led to his opportunity he’s grateful for the chance to be involved and is looking forward to the challenge.

“Multisport was such a positive influence on my life when I was about the same age as these guys so it’s great for me to be able to work with them and hopefully provide some really positive experiences in the sport for them too.”

Even with more than 25 years of competing in multisport, ironman, and kayaking at world class levels, Fouhy says this will be a first for him too.

“It will be a new experience. I have been in a double kayak in an Olympic final, but I’ve never been down a river in a double, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Harvey and Fouhy will join fellow support athlete and nine time longest day champion Steve Gurney who has been involved with the Rangers since the beginning.

The Coast-to-Coast Rangers have announced their final teams and line-ups for the event and Moffatt is quick to point out they couldn’t do it without the support they receive from their volunteers.

“The best part is that I didn’t have to convince any of them to work with us.”

“We are so privileged to have all three on board. They care and they are passionate, and they can get these kids from the start to the finish line exposing them to as many positive people and experiences as possible. At the end of the day that’s what we are all about,” Moffatt says.

Coast to Coast Rangers 2021 teams and support athletes.

Team Kathmandu

Mohammed Hassan - biker

Support athlete - Jessy Moffatt

Josh Mclean - runner

Support athlete - Jessy Moffatt

Kaden Reuben - kayaker

Support athlete - Ben Fouhy

Team Pak n Save Wainoni

Hamida Ghazizada - biker

Support athlete - Sophie Davies

Sophie Watson - kayaker

Support athlete - Steve Gurney

Miracle Te Waimaria - runner

Support athlete - Sophie Davies

Team ISport and Westpac

Orion Lynch - kayaker

Support athlete - Steve Moffatt.

Ivo Baguingey - runner

Support athlete - Dominic Harvey

Fane Ngauamo - biker

Support athlete - Matt Calman

Another mountain to climb for stroke survivor

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 18:10:52 GMT

To his mates and work colleagues Mark Ford seemed almost indestructible.

Having completed three Kathmandu Coast to Coasts and several ultra-marathons, the Executive Manager at Fulton Hogan and father-of-two was getting set to compete in yet another ultra-marathon. Then, on the morning of February 6, 2019, he woke up unable to speak or walk, keeping his eyes open was near impossible and the 40-year-old had almost no control over his emotions.

An undiagnosed small hole in his heart had allowed a clot to enter the bloodstream and lodge in his brain. He had suffered an ischemic stroke and his future was entirely uncertain. Within hours Mark and his family were at Burwood hospital where he was admitted straight to intensive care.

For someone who had lived his entire life by setting challenges for himself, nothing had prepared him for this.

“It was brutally hard – nothing comes close,” said Ford.

Almost two years to the day later, Mark will be climbing a new mountain. Literally.

Taking on the run leg of the 2021 Kathmandu Coast to Coast, as part of a three-person team alongside his Fulton Hogan workmates Craig Stewart (cycle) and Peter de Goldi (kayak).

Mark attributes being able to walk and talk again, let alone run over a mountain pass, to the power of a step-by-step, day-by day approach to life - of living in every moment. “Bolts out of the blue, like a stroke, can surprisingly not always have negative side-effects,” Ford added. “As humans we tend to take so much for granted. I’ve since learned not to take anything for granted, never to dwell on problems, and never to ask, ‘why me?’”

“If you have a major setback and are able to ask, ‘why not me?’ you’ll be in a much better position to overcome it.”

The power of encouragement has also shown its true healing power as well.

“I have never been around people as encouraging as those in the medical community. No matter how small the achievement, or how small the improvement, I have been constantly encouraged. This constant positive reinforcement is something I want to take in to every aspect of my life, including corporate life.”

Mark says that despite the positives he takes from his stroke and gradual recovery he’ll never be glad it happened; there’s nevertheless much he takes from the experience.

“When, in a flash, you go from life as normal to being unable to function as a father or to work, you re-evaluate what defines you. Ultimately, I’ve learned it is not the immediately visible things that matter, but the quality of relationships and things like inner character.”

He says the support and love of his wife Keryn and children Tayla and Kobe has been the most important.

“Because the focus is on the person with the stroke, the efforts and sacrifices of the support team at home can go unrecognised. They have been wonderful.”

Mark says Fulton Hogan has also been “incredibly supportive”, giving him the time needed to recover. Nine months after the stroke he came back to work for eight hours a week and has since gradually increased that back to full time.

“I have been humbled by the response of my colleagues,” he says.

He’s now just hoping two colleagues in particular come through with the goods on the weekend of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

Changes afoot for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 20:38:40 GMT

Changes afoot for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast

The Kathmandu Coast to Coast will introduce a handful of changes to its 2021 event as well as opening a new category for the 40th event in 2022.

Some of the changes are down to pure demand for entries, and event organisers wanting to ensure all those who wish to compete in New Zealand’s most iconic multisport event have the chance to do so, whilst others have been implemented to make the event safer and more enjoyable.

“Just like the athletes who want to find that small wee margin to go faster or do something better, we too, as event organisers, continue to work tirelessly to ensure the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is the best possible event that it can be,” said Race Director Glen Currie.

“Covid19 ensured we took another look at the event and some of the changes have come about through that, whilst some of the others have been about finding a way to open the event up to even more people to be able to enjoy and experience what the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is all about.”

A new category.

The Kathmandu Coast to Coast is one of those must do events, both in New Zealand and around the world. Subsequently event organisers have been working with its major partners such as DOC, Kathmandu and ChristchurchNZ to open the event to more people to be able to enjoy it. This has been several years in the pipeline with safety, enjoyment and continuing to look after the environment at the forefront of everyone’s minds and event organisers are now confident the new category will achieve all those things.

“This new category will be an exciting addition to the Kathmandu Coast to Coast whilst still maintaining its core values and traditions,” says Race Director Glen Currie.

More details to follow post the 2021 event and prior to the 2022 entries opening.

2022 Entries will open on March 8th

Whilst event organisers were delighted with the 2021 event selling out in a matter of days, opening entries for the following year less than 24 hours after the completion of the current event did pose some challenges including a massive workload cross over between the 2020 and 2021 events. As such entries for the 2022 event will not open until March the 8th.

This will also allow those that have just completed the 2021 event more time to contemplate returning the following year as many like to do so.

Mountain Run entries will continue to be offered and will run under the same prescription as 2021 with entries opening on September 1st and by way of a registered ballot.

Pre-race Registration will open earlier and longer.

Over the past few years, the event has more than doubled in size, meaning more people are required to check in prior to the event and with the consideration of Covid restrictions registration will open earlier to ensure competitors can spread out their arrivals into Greymouth and check in in a more comfortable setting.

Competitors will be allocated a time to register to minimise large groups in the Westland Recreation Centre at any one time. While the pre-race briefing will occur at the West turf (beside the events centre) to create more space for this also.

Pepper primed for further improvement

Sun, 03 Jan 2021 20:54:38 GMT

At this time of year professional yachtsman Hamish Pepper would normally be hard at work in Europe or the United States – but for obvious reasons this last year has been a little different.

Covid-19 has meant the former Aucklander has been staying put in his new hometown of Wanaka – not that he’s complaining. “It’s a fantastic place to live, you’ve got rivers, lakes mountains and beautiful scenery everywhere and the people are just awesome.”

It’s no surprise then the former Olympian has been enjoying his latest challenge – training for the 2021 Coast to Coast. He’s no stranger to the event having competed in 2020– but true to his nature he’s looking to beat his previous best.

“I was actually really stoked with how I did last year, finishing in the top 30 and 4th in my age group.

“I would really like to improve on that this year though.”

“Exercise has always been a really big part of my life I love it and hate it, but I need exercise to survive really.

“Living in a place like Wanaka there’s no excuses not to be able to get out train.”

Of the three disciplines Pepper says he finds the running the toughest.

“Running is not my thing.”

However, living in Wanaka means Pepper has also been able to utilise the coaching expertise of Wanaka based Tim Brazier this year. “Tim’s been great, that’s the other thing about living in Wanaka there’s a lot of like-minded people you get to associate with – Simone (Maier) and Dougal (Allan) and Brayden Curries down here (All previous Longest Day Champions). It’s awesome to have so many people here who have obviously excelled at this sport.”

Like a number of competitors this year, Pepper has had some of his build-up events cancelled but he’s not phased.

“It’s just one of those things really. It was a shame to miss out on Peak to Peak but there were really good reasons to cancel. I think as a competitor it’s actually good to see that organisers are putting people’s safety first over everything else.’

Now that the warmer weather is here Pepper said they are looking forward to “missioning” out for some training sessions around the place including taking in some kayaking on the Waimakariri River.

Pepper has dabbled in multi-sport for a number of years with Xterra and Red Bull Defiance, but said the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is the biggest he’s done in terms of distance as well as difficulty and that’s what appeals the most.

“It’s just the iconic one really, it’s known all over the world and it’s one of those things that’s been on the bucket list.

“It’s called the longest day for a reason.

“I love the journey. You can have a faster boat and faster bike but at the end of the day it’s just you and the race.”

The Mum Club

Sun, 06 Dec 2020 17:08:59 GMT

With only twelve weeks out from the Kathmandu Coast to Coast, North Canterbury’s Hannah Romano found herself without a teammate. Rather than give up, she did what anyone with her sporting contacts would do and looked for the best kayaker on her list. The top contender just so happened to be former canoe polo World Champ - Olivia Spencer-Bower.

“I sent Olivia a message basically saying I know this isn’t much notice but would she do the Coast to Coast with me and lucky for me she said yes.”

Fortunately, Spencer-Bower had competed in the Spring Challenge back in September so her fitness was good, despite having had her first child Noah only nine months ago.

“I was about 20 weeks pregnant when I decided to enter the Spring Challenge thinking it would be a good goal for me post birth. After I had Noah, I worked intensely with my women’s health physio to make sure I was ready to start training.

“Scheduling training is so much more important with a baby too. Noah’s not the best sleeper waking every one to two hours since he was 4 months old. But instead of wallowing in the fatigue, you soon learn to accept it for what it is and realise that if you don’t get up and do something for yourself in the precious spare time you might be lucky to get, the only person who misses out is you and it really affects your mental health.

“I find that by making it a priority to do some exercise for me I’m a much better mum, partner and friend because I’m pouring from a full cup.”

That is something her team mate fully appreciates and understands first hand. With two young sons of her own Cooper, 3 and Jonty 18 months, Romano knows how precious those training windows are.

“I often have to get a baby sitter or ask my mum to watch the boys while I train, so I feel like I can’t waste any of those opportunities. There’s always going to be other things that need to be done, work, errands house work but it’s so important to have time for yourself to exercise.”

In the seven times she has competed in the Coast to Coast, both the individual and team event, Spencer-Bower has finished either first or second. Romano has competed three times and has finished in the top six each time. Despite their previous success the pair say they won’t be putting pressure on themselves for top place finishes this time.

“I think having a baby gives you so much more perspective, sometimes we put too much measure on that small margin of winning or losing,” Spencer-Bower says.

Romano agrees.

“I feel like I have spent the past five years either being pregnant or breastfeeding so entering the Coast for me this time is about getting back to myself and what I love doing,” she says.

Romano, who is an online fitness coach, says she hopes other women will be able to look at her and Spencer-Bower’s journey back to multi-sport after babies and be inspired to give it a go.

“Honestly I get how hard it is.

“Six months ago, I tried to run 5km and it felt impossible, I actually cried. Then two weeks ago I competed the Queenstown half marathon, it’s just about finding a goal and working at it consistently.”

Romano, also battles with Crohn's disease, a chronic disease that causes inflammation and irritation in the gastrointestinal tract. Despite often having debilitating flare ups of the disease Romano hasn’t let it hold her back.

“It’s just something that I have had to learn to live with and I manage it the best I can. It can be tough, but I don’t want it to stop me from doing what I love.”

Spencer-Bower will be taking on her favoured kayaking leg of the event and Romano will be tackling the run. The bike duties will be shared.

Both Spencer-Bower and Romano know the last bike leg well. Spencer-Bower grew up in Swannanoa and Romano lives in Clarkville so both are very familiar with the long, straight stretch of South-Eyre Road.

Despite the challenges of incorporating training around young families Romano and Spencer-Bower say they are best versions of themselves when they are active and having a goal like Coast to Coast has provided extra motivation to make the time to train.

Romano has the countdown on her watch.

“Every morning I wake up and I see I’m one day closer.”

Weston balancing work, training and results

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 16:49:49 GMT

Growing up in Glenorchy with a “grass roots and outdoorsy lifestyle” is what Holly Weston believes set her on the multi-sport path. “It wasn’t any sort of sport in particular, I was a horse rider and have played team sports but it was just always being outside and running around and biking and I think my love for the outdoors grew from there really.”

Weston says it’s only been the past two years where she has started to get involved in multiport quite competitively, but she is already proving to be a serious contender in the sport.

The Christchurch based barrister competed in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast in 2020 where she finished 7th in the elite category of the one-day event and won the open class. “I’m really happy with how I went this year, but I would love to be able to improve on that in 2021.”

Having a fulltime and demanding occupation, Weston said the flexibility of working from home in lockdown meant she was able to fit in more training – but she admits it also had its downside.

“I found it a bit tough trying to get back into my training routine with being back at work once lockdown was over. It was just about getting back into that mindset again and having to be stricter with my time.”

However, Weston said living in Christchurch means she is never short on motivation to train, not only with the locations and facilities she has to train with, but also her like-minded training partners. “There are so many people here doing it and having friends who are doing the event as well really helps lift the standard of our training sessions. It is really motivating having such good quality people to train with.”

Weston has also engaged the help of coach, former Longest Day Women’s Champion Kristina Anglem, who she said has really helped put things in perspective for her. “I was really looking at ways I could improve on everything and try and bridge that gap in my performance. But Kristina has helped me focus on the long-term career- do my apprenticeship in the sport and eventually it will come together.”

Weston, who keeps up her training regime up throughout the whole year, enjoys the kayak the most. “I was really nervous about the kayak before the 2020 Coast and so I did so much training. It’s really gorgeous scenery and I love being out on the river.”

Weston is also at home on the bike, where she believes resilience really gets tested. If she had to pick one, running is her least preferred discipline. “I just think the running takes so much more talent, the other two you can really train for and practice.”

Weston said the highlight for her in the 2020 race was when she got to the Waimakariri Gorge Bridge.

“I knew I was in a really good position at that point, it was like the climax of the race and then I felt good going into the that last bike. It’s just awesome having all the supporters there on that last stretch too.”

Weston says it’s easy to see how people keep coming back each year to the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

“It is the hallmark event in New Zealand in terms of endurance, but it’s not only that.

“It’s the atmosphere of the whole event, the atmosphere is insane.”

Wilson back for 2021

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 01:23:11 GMT

Ali Wilson signs up for 2nd crack of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast

Last year’s women’s longest day runner-up Ali Wilson is the first of the elites to indicate her return to the start line of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast in 2021, with the Tauranga-based Brit eager to test herself against both the terrain and the competition again.

23-year old Wilson, who was competing in just her second individual off-road multisport race, surprised many with her performance in 2020; leading for most of the race, before eventually crossing the finish line just 3 minutes and 6 seconds behind eventual winner Corrine O’Donnell. “Yeah, the day after I was like yup, I’m coming back!” says Wilson.

With bad weather hampering her build up to the race, cancelling her planned opportunities to race the Waimakariri River during the Rasdex Classic and run Goat Pass in the weeks leading up to the 2020 event, Wilson went into the race with limited knowledge of the course.

“Everyone was stressing me out saying you’ve got to run it, get over Goat Pass and paddle through the gorge, but then all the rain came down and washed out many of the lines people would have taken anyway, so it was pretty level pegging once you got in there.”

Competing off road has really gripped Wilson, who admits to not being overly sporty as a teen. “I was probably the least sporty one out of my year at Uni, then I got into Ironman in 2015, basically to tick the box and say I’ve done it.”

This then led to a few more races before stepping away from the pressure she put herself under.

“I kind of got burnt out with Ironman. I would be so rigid, religiously following my plan in the build-up and then afterwards analysing everything right down to the last second. Whereas when it came to Coast to Coast we just had a cool chat afterwards and rather than wallow in various parts of the race, we just laughed about it and thought what a cool experience it was.”

“For me, the Coast to Coast is about combining my love for the outdoors with training, which is why I can’t wait to come back again in February.”

Before then Wilson is lining up a few more events closer to home such as the Whaka100 and the Motu Challenge, and finishing off the summer calendar with Godzone.

Wilson will have to wait for the opportunity to compete against Corrine O’Donnell again though with last year’s champion awaiting the arrival of her first child. 2019 Champion Simone Maier will be there to provide plenty of stiff competition though, as well as four-time champion Elina Ussher, last year’s third place getter Fiona Dowling and other strong contenders Emily Wilson, Claire Bell and Alisa Rollinson.

St Andrew's wins Kathmandu Academy prize

Sun, 08 Nov 2020 18:11:01 GMT

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As New Zealand’s oldest running annual multisport event the Kathmandu Coast to Coast has long been synonymous with multi-generational entries. And 2021 will be no different, but perhaps more by chance than design, with two thirds of Christchurch's St Andrew’s College team, who are recipients of the Kathmandu Academy prize in 2020, all having family ties to the event.

Kayaker Georgia Spark will follow in the paddle strokes of her father Geoff, who’s competed seven time, and brother Henry, who represented St Andrew’s last year in the two day individual, when she fronts up as a key cog in the schools mixed three person team category.

Despite growing up not too far from the famous Waimakariri River, the Year 12 student says this time will be a little different, “I have done lots of adventures with my family, but not kayaking specifically. I’ve done rafting down the rivers and some kayaking as a family, but not on my own as such, so this will be a good experience.”

“Dad’s done the event a fair few times though, so it’ll be good to learn from him.”

The same can be said for cyclist Nate Pringle whose father Carl and Uncle Aaron Pringle won the two-person team in 1999. “I’m really looking forward to it, we’ve always gone down and watched so it’ll be cool to be competing.”

With much of this year’s school cycling events being cancelled due to covid restrictions Pringle says the Coast to Coast will be a great replacement. “I was really excited when Thomo (Greg Thompson) sent out the email looking for expressions of interest. This will be a great opportunity.”

And whilst no family members have completed the iconic race for Ben Ferrier, the course itself has a feeling of familiarity. “We used to live in Westport, so we’d go past the entrance to the run course, look up Goat Pass, and drive past Klondyke corner.”

Ferrier also has the perfect place to train with his family now living at Castle Hill. “I’ll hopefully get a fair bit of training around Goat Pass and Craigieburn. I really enjoy running, you get to see some pretty amazing places while you’re running and do some amazing things, push yourself and see what you can achieve. It’s all down to you.”

“It’s a pretty amazing prize! Thanks to Kathmandu. It’s an amazing opportunity.”

As part of winning an entry into the NZSSC sanctioned Kathmandu Coast to Coast Two Day team event (3 person team) the team is also gifted $1,000 worth of Kathmandu gear, free camping at Kumara Race Course, coaching and mentoring organised by the event with renowned multisporter Sam Clark, one Grade Two white water Kayak course, as well as the use of 1 x Barracuda Enigma Kayak for training and the event, Rasdex PDF and Rasdex spray deck, a loan road cycle courtesy of Fleet Cycles and Kathmandu Coast to Coast branded kit.

Lessons for life

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 18:17:10 GMT

The KathmanduCoast to Coast is proving to be more than just a multisport endurance race forsome groups of young people in Canterbury. Fora number of years Trusts in the region have been using the event to provideopportunities for vulnerable young people in the community. Some of these youngpeople have come from difficult backgrounds where there may be issues ofsubstance abuse or poverty and some may have convictions. All are looking tomake positive changes in their lives. Coastto Coast Rangers, 180 Degrees Trust and Waipuna Trust have been working with thesegroups of young people to train for, and compete in the Coast to Coast withoutstanding results. TheCoast to Coast Rangers is now in its sixth year of offering students fromChristchurch East, predominantly Linwood High School the opportunity to participate.JessyMoffatt, a founding member of the Coast to Coast Rangers, says she initially startedrecruiting competitors by going into school assemblies and pitching to them. Thisyear with covid-19 it meant she wasn’t able to go into schools, but as itturned out that wasn’t a problem.“Wehave had the most kids ever turn up this year wanting to be involved and it’sbasically been through word of mouth.“We initiallyhad 30 people turn up and we are now down to 12 after we put them through someintense training. But we have got a really great group and they’re going sowell.” Moffattsaid this year has also been exciting to see some siblings of students who havebeen a part of the group in previous years join up.“It’sawesome to see. I think the best feedback we could have hoped for is seeing howmany kids turned up this year. It’s just so cool they want to be involved.” “Theyget really well looked after and have so much support, Kathmandu are amazing atproviding all the gear.” “It’sa massive deal for both the Trust and the kids to have the support ofKathmandu, having everyone dressed in the same kit offers a real sense ofbelonging and also ensures everyone’s out training in appropriate gear.”Another Trust using the Coast to Coast as a tool tohelp young people is the 180 Degrees Trust which was established in 2007. Managing trustee, Jeremy Nurse, says their mission isto use the Canterburyhigh country as a classroom and as an opportunity to challenge at risk youngpeople to turn their lives around.The Trust’s signature expedition isthe Southern Alps Traverse where they broadly follow the classic Coast to Coastroute. This year for the first time, the Trust is working with Cashmere HighSchool to train up two teams of really keen students for the Coast to Coast. Nurse said they are really happy withhow it’s going. “This year we have selected sixstudents from Cashmere high school and arranged sponsorship for them for the 2021Coast to Coast. We have a great team around them and look forward to theirsuccess in February.” Success is the key word for Nursewhen it comes to these young peoples’ involvement in the event. He wants themall to experience a taste of it. “It’s not about where they come, justby being involved they will have achieved success,” Nurse says. Dan Eastwood and Reon Nolan work withyouth offenders in Canterbury in their role at Waipuna Trust and TeRangatahi Tumanako. Eastwood said this is the fourth year they have been involved intraining and entering teams in the Coast to Coast. “One of the best parts of the eventfor the guys is to stay away together, it gives them a good opportunity to bondnot just with each other but with the volunteers and support people as well.It’s also a great event for them to see a group of positive, healthy peopleworking hard and for them to be a part of that environment. “The flip side of that is that theother competitors get to see our guys as humans and they can see theirpositive, kind and caring sides.” Eastwood said the journey leading upto the event is even more important than the race itself. He said it’s not justthe physical, but also the emotional and psychological gains. “Most of these guys are already quitefit and through their life experiences they know a lot about resilience. Butit’s the chats on the long bike rides where they can open up and share thingsin a pressure free environment that’s really beneficial too.” Eastwood says there’s something specialabout the Coast to Coast. He says multisport is a sport without egos and inmany ways the event is a leveller. “The work we do with these guys isfor the long haul; we can’t expect massive changes in just six months. But what we focus on is the thousands of little wins along the way.”

"For me and my girls"

Sun, 04 Oct 2020 18:14:53 GMT

Training for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast with two young children and dairy farms to run might sound like a tough challenge to many, but for Jo Spencer-Bower, the bigger the challenge - the greater the appeal.

The former Canterbury Tactic netball player is used to tough training regimes and says the Coast to Coast is an event that has always interested her. "I “I did it a few years ago as part of a two-person team and we actually did quite well, finishing fourth. “I hadn’t had much time to prepare for it, as I filled in for someone who had to pull out just a few weeks out from the event. “I guess after that I always knew I wanted to do it again but the timing just hasn’t been quite right.”

Spencer-Bower has also taken part in the mountain run leg of the event along with her brother former All Black Richie McCaw and sister-in-law Gemma McCaw. Although she says there are no plans to team up with her brother in the future.

“Not at this stage anyway, I don’t think I’d be quick enough.”

The mother of two young daughters Chloe, 7 and Ruby, 5 says training around kids can be difficult but at the same time it has given her an extra boost in motivation. “I think having the opportunity to set an example for my daughters has been something really positive. My daughter Chloe is doing a duathlon later this year and has told me as soon as she is 16 she wants to do the Coast to Coast with me.

“Growing up, my parents never pushed my brother and I into any sport, they just gave us every opportunity to be involved and enjoy it and that’s what I want to be able to do for my girls.”

Spencer-Bower is no stranger to overcoming injury setbacks over the years, but says it hasn’t put her off competing in multi-sport. “I’ve done two ACLs on the same knee and a couple of years ago I did my achilles coming out of retirement and playing netball. I’ve definitely made the decision to stay retired from netball now, but I’m not ready to give up on the multi-sport.”

Spencer-Bower says despite the injuries, she hasn’t shied away from the challenges of training.

“I think I’m getting closer to 40 and I’ve got a lot of wear and tear on the body but I may as well compete while I still can.

“My husband will tell you I’m a much better person when I’ve exercised. I love pushing myself. Running a marathon doesn’t interest me, but running a marathon up a mountain – that appeals.

“It’s that bit extra, it’s being fit but still having to push through the pain mentally and physically to achieve your goal.”

Having just completed the Spring Challenge and relishing the warmer weather to get her kayak out on the water, Spencer-Bower is now firmly focused on the Kathmandu Coast to Coast. “I’m just really looking forward to doing it and preparing the best I can.

“I think that first bike leg is the unknown and I’m not yet fully prepared for the kayak – I haven’t really done it since high school. “But that’s what’s so good about this event too. Having to be prepared for anything and everything -being fit is only part of it.”

Sports Event of the Year Finalist

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 02:53:06 GMT

Kathmandu Coast to Coast named Event of the Year Finalist at the New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards

Being recognised as a finalist in the Event of the Year category at the New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards is testament to the culture and vibe of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast, according to Race Director Glen Currie.

With 1,035 entrants in 2019, New Zealand’s longest running Multisport event sold out for the first time in more than a decade, which was more than double the number of entries in 2015 when Queenstown-based owners Trojan Holdings purchased the event.

And in less than a week, the reinvigorated event had again sold out for the following year.

‘Completing the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is a massive achievement,’ said Race Director Glen Currie.

‘But that’s only half the story,’ he went on to say.

‘The months leading up to the event weekend, training in your local area, finding new places to train, the people you meet and the community that has been created around the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is something that we feel gives the event such a unique flavour and plays a big part in why Kiwis have fallen in love with the event again.’

Under new ownership in 2015 the Kathmandu Coast to Coast focused on making the event accessible for anyone who was prepared to put in the work.

‘For a long time, the event was primarily about who could get from one side of the South Island to the other the fastest. But through opening up categories such as the tandem, the three-person team, the Sport Canterbury Schools competition and also a stand alone Mountain Run, competitors with a much wider range of abilities are able to find ways to take part in the event, and once they get to experience the event first hand, they invariably want to do more or find other new ways to be involved in the event.’

‘We’re really happy that we’ve been able to expand those categories, whilst still maintaining the event in its original format too. The competition in both the men’s and women’s longest days has been immense over the past few years, with both local and international competitors taking out the event.’

Currie made special mention of the raft of commercial partners that also add their special vibe to the event, ‘we’re really blessed to have a great bunch of like-minded supporters that share our passion for the outdoors. To run an event like the Kathmandu Coast to Coast takes a lot of moving parts and without the likes of Kathmandu and all the others, we simply wouldn’t be able to achieve what we do.’

In 2019, the Kathmandu Coast to Coast won the Event of the Year Award at the Sport Canterbury Awards.

Innovation during lock down

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 23:39:06 GMT

Competitors find inventive ways to train during lockdown.

Race Director Glen Currie expects competitors times to be better than ever, with many of the athletes signed up to the 39th Kathmandu Coast to Coast using the time at home during the Covid19 Lockdown to their advantage.

Whilst late autumn and winter are often times that athletes hibernate a little, Currie says he’s seen plenty of evidence online of ingenuity taking place to design indoor trainers, training close to people’s homes and lots of race and nutrition planning.

“The lockdown was a time of uncertainty for many of us, our team and event included, but having something like the Kathmandu Coast to Coast to focus on has clearly been a welcome distraction for many of the competitors,” said Currie.

Matt Calman, who was the final competitor to cross the finish line in 17 hours in 2020, designed his own wind trainer out of odds and ends he had laying around his garage and an old set of training wheels. “It wasn’t the smoothest ride, but it was quite fun,” said Calman. “I got quite a lot of use out of a 100 kg squat bar that I made out of a length of wood and two supermarket bags filled with sand from my kid’s sandpit though.”

Despite the bitter cold spell in Canterbury and other parts of the South Island, Kayak training companies have been in full swing conducting grade two certificate courses, a pre-requisite for competitors.

“We had to cancel about 4 of the four-day grade 2 learner courses and a bunch of skills days,” said Kayak Instructor and long-time competitor Sam Manson. “Fortunately, we have been able to reschedule 95% them, but that now means we have a huge load of work on, on top of the normal scheduled trips and courses in the spring. We have had to source more qualified instructors to assist the increase in courses in spring that were transferred from the Covid-19 Level 4 lockdown.”

With the 2021 event selling out in record time, Currie said they had not seen too much disruption to the competitor list. “Depending on how and when the borders open there might be some international competitors withdraw, but we’ve kept our communication pretty open with those that have entered from outside of New Zealand and will continue to support them in any way we can, whether it be for this coming event or the next.”

Currie also added a great deal of thanks to title sponsor Kathmandu, who despite their own tough times have continued to offer their support to the event. ‘Kathmandu have been great, we’ve been working really hard behind the scenes to come up with a series of ‘what ifs’ in regard to social distancing and other things that might eventuate and to know we have their support is a very pleasing position to be in. we couldn’t run the Kathmandu Coast to Coast without that kind of support.”

39th Kathmandu Coast to Coast sold out in days

Thu, 20 Feb 2020 18:22:39 GMT

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.

New records set for the 38th Kathmandu Coast to Coast

Fri, 14 Feb 2020 03:33:18 GMT

Course changes, course records, and a new name on the women’s Longest Day trophy are all highlights from the 38th Kathmandu Coast to Coast which also saw a record number of 1,035 athletes competing in New Zealand’s longest-running Multisport event.

High rainfall in the headwaters of the Otira and Deception rivers forced organizers into a new ‘Plan B’ run course last Friday, meaning 649 athletes headed up over the Otira Viaduct for the first time in ten years. However, they were still able to experience plenty of off-road running after Race Director Glen Currie and former Race Director Richard Ussher re-invented the original ‘Plan B’ course over the last six years, which would have seen the athletes stick to Highway 73 for the entire 32 kilometres.

“If we’d made the decision any later, we wouldn’t have been able to get the off-road elements organised in time for Friday, so I’m really pleased we made that call,” said Currie.

Feedback received suggest the course was challenging and it was certainly better than running the entire course on the road, which was the outcome ten years ago, the last time the ‘Plan B’ course was activated due to bad weather.

Wellington’s Daniel Jones was the 1st to etch his name next to the new run course record in a time of 2:14:51. “This B course was a pretty good alternative. It’s got a massive mix of terrain, running up the Otira for the first time and running over the viaduct was a bit of a once in a lifetime opportunity, who knows if I’ll ever do that again. And some of the trails coming off Arthurs Pass are absolutely stunning. I come over this way a few times a year but have always focused on the Deception Valley and the Mingha.”

Rain at the main divide saw some of that water spill into the headwaters of the Waimakariri river which in turn provided perfect conditions for two new kayak records. Jones’s teammate and local kayak instructor Kate Cambie was pretty delighted to add her name to the history books, paddling the 67 kilometre stretch of the Waimakariri river in 4:03:44 to set a new women’s paddling record. “I’ve been paddling for a long time now and I’ve always seen myself in the shadows behind the girls that I have looked up to like Sophie Hart and Olivia Spencer-Bower and they have always been my paddle idols, so it’s great to have my name alongside theirs as well.”

“I wanted to go under 4 hours on my watch time and I was really happy that I was able to stick with a couple of boys who caught up to me at Woodstock and I dug really, really deep to stay with them and I managed to come into the bridge with them.” Cambie’s new record sits alongside a new men’s kayak record, of 3:41:14 set by Daniel Busch on Saturday.

Busch’s paddle record, along with solid efforts from Jeremy McKenzie and Patrick Higgins, ensured Marlborough’s Forrest Wines claimed the three-person team title ahead of Topsport Kayaking #2 which included last year’s second and third-placed getters in the Men’s Longest Day Sam Manson and Alex Hunt.

Jones, Cambie and cyclist Sam Horgan won the three-person team mixed category in 10 hours, nine minutes and forty seconds ahead of Further Faster and Envirowaste, who also claimed the Corporate title, while Quad Fury, made up of Sarah Helmore, Penelope Watson and Juliann Simeonid, snuck across the finish line a shade under the 13-hour mark to claim the women’s three-person team title ahead of ‘Are we there yet’ and ‘Girls are on’.

Christchurch’s Bevan Jones got the surprise of his life on Sunday morning following his win in the men’s two-day individual race; collecting an entry into next year’s men’s longest day race as part of his prize. “I opened the old envelope as a prize winner and I saw a free entry into the individual next year so that’s upped the game, I wasn’t expecting it. It’s non-refundable or not redeemable for cash so I might have to get into it, I wasn’t anticipating that, but I’ll take a little time and rest up a bit before I start to think about it.”

“It’s an amazing effort, a lot of time and effort went in (to get the win), it was pretty tough missing last year’s race because I got injured just before the event, so another year of training and I managed to get across the line.” Jones added.

Team CP’s Richard Greer bagged the silver medal behind Jones but earned the men’s two-day individual veteran title in 11:32:59 with Jason Dobson getting home in third.

Just five minutes separated the three podium getters in the Women’s Two-Day individual event with Courtney Prestage crossing in 12:57:38 Trish Hastie in 13:01:44 and Hannah Lund in 13:02:16

Wakatipu High School were the inaugural winners of the Sport Canterbury Secondary Schools trophy, winning the school's mixed category reaching the finish line in New Brighton in 12:23:49. Porirua’s Aotea College took home the girls title in 16:17:40 while Christchurch Boys High was the first overall school team home in 12:17:47.

Josh Harris and David Slater headed off Richie McCaw and Rob Nichol by eleven minutes to win the men’s tandem title, while Nicole Radburns and Alice Mullins swept the women’s tandem in 14:22:48, Athletes powered by MITOQ got across the line in the mixed tandem ahead of Regretti Spaghetti and Windy City Multisport.

O'Donnell wins maiden title in 4th attempt

Sat, 08 Feb 2020 08:26:14 GMT

Date: 8-2-2020

The Kathmandu Coast to Coast has a new elite women’s champion after Tauranga’s Corrinne O’Donnell claimed the 38th Longest Day title, fighting off a chasing pack to win the 243-kilometre stage race in twelve hours 53 minutes and 39 seconds.

It was O’Donnell’s fourth crack at the event, beating event first timer Ali Wilson by just 3 minutes 05 and Christchurch’s Fiona Dowling who crossed the finish line just a minute over 13 hours to earn a third-place finish for the third time. “I know Alison is an awesome cyclist, so I was pretty worried on the bike.”

O’Donnell was a little unsure of her chances of holding onto her lead, but suggested the cold conditions played into her hands. “I was feeling pretty average on the run, it might have been my slowest run time I’ve done over the course, so after the run I was just like let’s see how the day goes."

“It was pretty rough, and I guess I like those sorts of conditions, so I was like, oh, this is my year, I’m just going to go for it.”

The difference between the two coming down to a little more experience in the kayak for O'Donnell than Wilson, whose background has been in triathlon and who only started kayaking a year ago. “I managed to stay in the boat, but there was a few closer calls than I would have liked.”

“I went for a swim, haha, that bloody wind was strong,” said Wilson referring to falling out of her kayak.
“That wind just blew down that gorge and pushed me on to a rock and I went for a spill and it was bloody freezing.”

Wilson also went for a swim during the first major river crossing in the 32 kilometre run section, losing her footing and being swept around 5 meters downstream before regaining control. “Yeah, I went for a good old swim, but fair play to the organisers not letting the 2 day competitors go down there (yesterday) because it was very touch and go.”

Wilson summed up her first Kathmandu Coast to Coast; “It was brutal, there’s just no let up, but I’ll be back.”

“It’s getting a bit tough to handle actually,” Dowling said whilst still catching her breath at the finish line as she was quizzed about her 3rd place finish.

"I was pretty disappointed with my mountain run today, I just didn’t run very well, I feel like my form was better than I showed today, leading into it my course showed that I should have still run as good as last year but I think just the high rivers and the slow run just doesn’t suit me too well. But that’s just an excuse, I didn’t run too well," Dowling admitted.

Four-time Longest Day champion Elina Ussher finished in fourth in what was her 15th consecutive Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

While Wanaka’s Emily Wilson came home in 5th in a time of 13 hours 29 minutes and 24 seconds.

Dunedin’s Alisa Rollinson finished in 6th.

Defending champion Simone Maier did not finish due to an issue with her kayak.

Clark claims number 4

Sat, 08 Feb 2020 08:09:40 GMT

Date: 8-2-2020

Whakatane’s Sam Clark returned to the Kathmandu Coast to Coast to win his fourth elite men’s Longest Day titles, a title he described as his best yet.

Clark, who sat out last year’s race held off defending champion Dougal Allan by 7 minutes forty-two seconds to finish in 10 hours five minutes 01. “I left absolutely everything out there. I’ve never worked that hard in my life for a victory,” a spent Clark said post victory.

“Out of all my victories, yes that’s got to be the best. Dougal and I are so evenly matched, we race together, he’s one of my best mates, it's just a shame we have to go out there and battle each other like we did today but that’s the way it was always going to be. Him or me going home empty-handed, but this was an opportunity for both of us to lift our game and we did.”

“I know how much Dougal wanted it, and to be honest my biggest fear today was that he wanted it more than me. That when it came to crunch time I wouldn’t be able to do what I needed to do to get it across the line but I managed it!”

Ryan Kiesanowski crossed the tape first at the end of stage one to set a new record of one hour 35 point 28 seconds, before Clark built his lead through the grueling 32-kilometre mountain run, even swimming during the bitterly cold first river crossing of the Otira River. "As soon as I got swept off my feet I was going please, please let there not be any big rocks there, because they could have taken me out just like that.”

“To be honest I was gutted with the conditions, they couldn’t have been worse for me” said Allan as he sat recovering from the race.

“I would have liked a hot day, I would have liked an easterly on the last ride, I would have liked a low, long paddle on the river but these are all excuses to be fair, but I knew I was going to struggle in the cold and I wore as much as I could but I’m probably better suited to the hot weather.”

“He deserved to win the race, I certainly wasn’t on my A-game, but the tank is empty, and I think it’s a pretty fair reflection of where we are both at.”

Christchurch’s Rhys John completed a long-held dream of beating his father Steve’s best time of 12 hours 01, crossing the finish line in 11:17:56 to earn the final spot on the podium while Maketu Dairy farmer Bobbie Dean slipped into fourth in 11:29:29.

Former Longest Day winner George Christensen earned a well-deserved veterans division victory along with the 49-year-old earning 10th overall.

“I didn’t have any ambitions I just went as hard as I could, I haven’t been on the course since about 2010, so pretty delighted.

I knew I couldn’t keep up on the bike, so I just took my time there.”

Day 1 wrap 2020 Kathmandu Coast to Coast

Fri, 07 Feb 2020 04:30:58 GMT

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.

Greymouth to host pre race registration

Sat, 01 Feb 2020 07:44:14 GMT

01-02-2020

The pre-race registration and festivities for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is shifting to one of the West Coast’s major hubs, Greymouth, in time for the 2020 event.

When the Grey District Mayor approached Kathmandu Coast to Coast about their new Westland Events Centre hosting the registration process, the organising team were excited about the opportunities. Race Director Glen Currie says although the Kumara Racecourse has provided a fantastic venue for the registration process, the change to the Westland Events Centre allows for a number of exciting additions to this process and the opportunity to give competitors and support crews the best possible experience.

“The Kumara Racecourse has been a fantastic base for us for a long time and we will continue to offer camping there, via the Kumara Racecourse committee, the Kumara Community have also indicated that they will still be serving up their great meals as they have done in the past for the campers. However, the increased demand for space and the ability to future proof the pre-race registration by having the ability to go indoors meant that the Westland Events Centre was the perfect alternative.”

“Greymouth has also really embraced the opportunity to have over one thousand competitors and all their support crews come into their beautiful city and they are looking forward to being the city that hosts the registration process of the event in the future,” Currie added.

(Former) Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn echoed those sentiments and praised the race organisers. “The professional approach by the race organisers has raised the bar around quality facilities in this 243-kilometre world famous event and for us to be able to offer the Westland Recreation Centre to help support that is extremely pleasing. Also, given its central location in Greymouth, we’re looking forward to the events many competitors, back up crews, and supporters getting a chance to take in the amazing things our city and region has to offer.”

“We hope they’ll enjoy our hospitality, quality accommodation, and transport options and come back to explore more of Greymouth and the West Coast,” Kokshoorn added.

The official start of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast two day and longest day events will still start from Kumara Beach.

Details of the registration process will be released to competitors with the October Handbook.

Keep an eye on Elliott and co

Thu, 30 Jan 2020 17:46:46 GMT

Date: 31-1-2020

While much of the pre-race talk has been about the looming battle between defending champion Dougal Allan and returning three-time champion Sam Clark, the wise money would be to keep a firm eye on rising star Hamish Elliott.

Rumour has it that the 25-year-old has been floating over Goat Pass recently and has also been likened to three-time champion Braden Currie on his feet. “Yeah, I’ve had a few people make those comparisons,” said Elliott.

Since completing the Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day in 12 hours 14 minutes two years ago, the Southlander has ditched all other sports as well as a full time job working on a farm, instead shifting to Christchurch to concentrate on multisport. “I’d only just finished a rugby season last time, so I’ve stopped that and have also been racing in China a bit over the past year or so, so I’ve built up a better endurance base that will hopefully help me even more.”

Elliott is ranked fourth, behind Christchurch’s Ryan Kiesanowski who finished 5th in 2019. Kiesanowski lines up for what he thinks will be either his 12th or 13th Kathmandu Coast to Coast. “I can’t wait to get out there and race, it’s been a great summer. I think the Mountain Run is looking as fast as I can remember seeing it so we could be in for a real battle. It’s a great field and I hope myself and the others can keep Dougal and Sam honest.”

With a strong first bike and mountain run last year Bay of Plenty dairy farmer Bobby Dean also returns with the intention of troubling the leaders. “I’ve had a pretty good build-up with no issues to speak of. I’m feeling healthy and fit. I had some issues last year but still managed to come off the Mountain with the leaders so hopefully I can go even better this year.”

Dean emerged from the Mountain run in third position last year but slid back to seventh after he was overtaken in the kayak. “I’ve been working on my kayak a fair bit, so fingers crossed it all comes together on the day.”

Whakatane’s Oliver Thompson steps up into the elite men’s competition having won the two-day individual title in 2018, while Elliott’s flatmate Daniel Barry, who is an extremely strong cyclist, has been seeded in 9th spot, one ahead of Kurow dairy farmer Paul Gow who rounds out the top ten seeds.

“This is a really exciting bunch of athletes and it was extremely hard to complete the seeding for the race,” said Race Director and former podium getter Glen Currie.

“All the wise money leading up to the race is on Dougal and Sam, however this allows the other men to waltz in with little pressure. I am excited to see young athlete Hamish Elliot attack the run and although he is a dark horse to the general public, I am sure the other elites will be aware of his ability. Bobby Dean and Ryan Kiesanowski are quintessential Coast to Coast athletes, both juggling full-time jobs and full training loads. Bobby completed the event with an injury from the run last year which would have most athletes probably looking for a heli vac so he definitely has the ticker to put on a great display.”

“It’s also great to see these young guys like Oliver, and Rhys continue their development at this level and I’m really excited to see what they can produce, no matter what I think that arguably the world’s most boring stretch of road could potentially become very exciting on Saturday the 8th of February.”

Top ten men seeding for 2020

1 Dougal Allan Wanaka

2 Sam Clark Tauranga

3 Ryan Kiesanowski Christchurch

4 Hamish Elliott Gore

5 Rhys John Christchurch

6 Bobby Dean Maketu

7 Oliver Thompson Whakatane

8 Scott McDonald Tauranga

9 Daniel Barry Nelson

10 Paul Gow Kurow

Elite women's preview 2020

Sun, 26 Jan 2020 19:09:30 GMT

Date: 27-1-2020

A raft of motivating factors is driving the women’s elite field ahead of the 38th Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

Wanaka’s Simone Maier returns to defend the title she won in 2019, when she crossed the finish line in 12 hours, 56 minutes and 36 seconds, 11 minutes ahead of Nelson’s Elina Ussher, who will line up for her 15th consecutive Longest Day event.

“I can’t wait, I’m excited,” said Maier.
“I guess this time will be a little different though, given everyone knows what I’m capable of now. But I definitely want to win, and I’ve been making some improvements in some areas like the kayak, so hopefully I can bring it all together.”

If Ussher, who first raced the Kathmandu Coast to Coast in 2006, was to claim the 2020 title, she would equal Kathy Lynch’s record of five women’s titles and also husband Richard, who claimed 5 men’s titles between 2005 and 2012.

“These days it’s a personal challenge for me, it’s not about anybody else or how many titles, I just want to race to the best that I can,” said Ussher. “I really enjoy coming back, there’s no other races like it and it motivates you to train and prepare yourself over the summer, so that’s what I really like about the race.”

Christchurch’s Fiona Dowling, who produced a strong second half in 2019 to finish 3rd, just 2 minutes behind Ussher, also returns for the 2020 edition and is looking to climb further up the podium.

“I’ve had a lingering knee injury over the winter and spring which has required a bit of rest, but for me it’s always just about improving the parts that I can. The race field is quite deep again this year, so I’m just going to try and have a good day out for me, so whatever the result I just want a performance I can be happy with for me.”

Emily Wilson, who returns to the Kathmandu Coast to Coast for the first time in six years, has stacked up a list of accolades of late, including creating history alongside Maier last year by becoming the first evenly mixed gender team to win the GodZone Adventure Race and is seen as a potential top five finisher in the elite women’s field. “I’m competing for my own mental challenge and for unfinished business,” said Wilson.

“To break past my own perceived barriers around how I see myself and what my potential could be. I’m excited to get more out of myself and as Hamish Carter so simply put it, ‘just do it, be great’,” Wilson added.

Race Director Glen Currie says not to count out the likes of Corrine O’Donnell and is looking forward to seeing what Sweden’s Marie Krysander can produce. “Corrine is always a contender, and it’ll be really cool to see how the likes of Alisa Rollinson and Emily Wilson go this time around. Living abroad we don’t know too much about Marie, but from all the research I’ve been able to do, I’m really excited to see how she manages the New Zealand terrain.”

“But, like it so often is, the women’s elite level looks extremely competitive so I can’t wait to see how it all plays out.”

Three other international athletes will also make their debut in the elite women’s longest day field with Australian’s Cass Kimlin and Amie Munson, as well as Zoe Van Mil from the UAE taking on the 243-kilometre course for the first time.

Top 10 ranked females in 2020
1.   Simone Maier
2.   Elina Ussher
3.   Fiona Dowling
4.   Corrinne Odonnell
5.   Emily Wilson
6.   Marie Krysander
7.   Ailsa Rollinson
8.   Kathryn Buckenberg
9.   Alison Wilson
10. Kim Skerman

Women's longest day 2019:

1. Simone Maier   Christchurch   12hr, 56mins, 36 secs
2. Elina Ussher       Nelson      13hr, 7mins, 10 secs
3. Fiona Dowling   Christchurch    13hr, 9 mins, 17 secs

Simone Maier biking between the Mountain run and Kayak legs in 2018

McCaw back for more

Thu, 23 Jan 2020 09:32:45 GMT

Date: 23-1-2020

Adventurers and long-term friends Richie McCaw and Rob Nichol will return to the start line of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast in two weeks’ time with a feeling of unfinished business.

Competing in the two-day tandem competition, McCaw fell ill the night before the start of the 2019 event and battled through on limited energy, fuelling himself on baby food and jellybeans because that’s all that would stay down.

“Pretty much as soon as we crossed the finish line, I knew we could do better, that I’d want to come back and have another go at it,” said McCaw.

“If I was on my own, I would have really struggled, I don’t know what the outcome might have been, but as part of a team (with Rob) you just don’t want to let your team mate down, so I just put my head down and kept going last year.”

Teammate Rob Nichol, who is head of the Rugby Players Association, and who was battling some pretty bad cramps on day one in 2019, spoke of McCaw’s mental toughness at the time and is pleased to be back to see what the two can achieve. “It was quite a mentally challenging day for both of us to be honest, but I think he was probably worse than he even thought he was. The tricky thing was before we really knew it, it felt too far to turn back, so we just kept going.”

“I guess that’s one of the reasons we both like these sorts of challenges,” Nichol added.

“You can’t replicate or manufacture the sort of situations events like the Coast to Coast throw at you, and it’s pretty cool to cross the finish line with a sense of accomplishment and the knowledge that you either did really well, or feel like you’d like to go back and do something better next time. And that next time is in a couple of weeks.”

The duo has raced together a number of times since the two-time World Cup winning All Black captain retired from rugby, including the non-stop adventure race GodZone on two occasions. “One thing you learn during these types of events is, inevitably you’ll have some bad patches, but if you just keep putting one foot in front of the other, those patches fade and you end up achieving something really cool and having some great times with your mates,” said McCaw.

Nichol also enjoys the challenge as well as the culture and vibe the Kathmandu Coast to Coast has. “Everyone’s really fun to be around, they’re all going through similar highs and lows but they’re all prepared to get out there and give it a crack and I think getting ready and with mates is just as much a part of the experience.”

This year preparations have also been a juggle for McCaw with wife Gemma, who completed the Kathmandu Coast to Coast Mountain Run in 2017, returning to international hockey with the Black Sticks, meaning McCaw has been juggling childcare, training and work commitments. “I’m pretty lucky that Gemma understands the need and want to go training. She’s involved in a team sport, so I’ve been working around her but, like most people, it’s all been about planning and fitting sessions around each other.”

When asked if McCaw would ever consider taking on the world renowned “Longest Day” he was quick to reply, “I wouldn’t rule it out one day, but one of the cool things about these types of events is the training with a mate, checking in to see how things are going and pushing each other. Whereas the Longest Day is a very individual thing, which is not what really motivates me at this stage.”

Father son team up for the unknown

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 18:32:03 GMT

Date: 21-1-2020

The opportunity to compete in a multi-sport event in both an unknown but also desirable location is what caught the eye of father and son Kathmandu Coast to Coast competitors from Western Australia.

Ross Lewin and his son Doug hail from Perth but will be touching down in New Zealand in February to participate in the iconic event. “The Coast to Coast caught my attention because it looks like such an out-there challenge in a location that I have heard so much about, but never been to,” Ross said.

He said with most other multisport races he has done he’s never doubted his limits or ability to complete the event, but he feels the Kathmandu Coast to Coast offers something different.

“What excites me about the Coast to Coast is that tingling feeling I get when I think about the adventure and what, for me, will be unchartered physical and mental territory.”

His son Doug said he first heard about the event from a travelling Kiwi at his local Perth surf club.

“I realised that this was the ultimate multisport race and the seed was planted.”

Ross, who is originally from South Africa and emigrated to Australia with his family in 2006, started out marathon kayaking as a junior then got into mountain biking in his thirties. “I then moved to Perth where there is some awesome ocean paddling on offer – so got into that. I’ve always loved trail running too, so the natural thing to do was put the disciplines together and do multisport.”

Doug got his start in surf lifesaving as a nipper, where he developed a love of the ocean including ocean ski racing.

“Through my parents interests I got to enjoy Mountain biking and trail running. I then did my first junior short course multisport race at 14.”

Although they will be competing as individuals in the Coast to Coast, the pair train together and have competed in the past racing as a pair in a multisport event in Western Australia when Doug was 16.

“We did really well together and the bug bit.”

“I have guided Doug along his path of endurance racing. Now that he is nearly 20, he really investigates and researches so much on nutrition and training that I get to learn a lot from him.”

“We collaborate and share training programs and fitness data on apps like Training Peaks which is a great motivator too.”

For Ross the build-up to the event has had its ups and downs.

“Once my sights were set on the Coast to Coast and I had entered, I was super exited to get training. I set a string of interim goals and events and built a good fitness base. I anticipated the risk of injury with the high volume of training activity and sure as eggs it happened – I tore my left Iliotibial band in early September which was a huge blow to the run training.”

For Doug, the run training got off to a strong start but he unfortunately developed extensor tendonitis and a tight hip flexor which held up the run training program.

“Kayaking and cycling has enabled me to maintain fitness.”

However, Ross said a simulation day at the end of last year- Cape to Cape Adventure Race in WA went better than expected.

“Doug and I finished as a pair in 12.5hrs and injuries held out too.

“So, all good - and getting pumped for NZ.”

Adventurer takes on New Zealands original Adventure Race

Sun, 12 Jan 2020 18:51:52 GMT

Date: 13-1-2020

Never one to shy away from a challenge, world-renowned mountaineer, adventurer and conservationist Holly Budge has her sights set firmly on the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

Budge was the first woman to skydive off Mt Everest, to raise awareness of the African elephant crisis and raise charitable funds for her charity, How Many Elephants. She founded the charity six years ago while she was studying for a Masters in Sustainable Design.

The charity’s mission is to stop the poaching of African elephants for ivory.

Budge is based in Franz Josef, a place she credits with providing the best possible training environment for the Coast to Coast. “I’ve totally thrown myself into this and I’m very fortunate living in Franz, being able to get out on the kayak three to four times a week has been great.”

Budge says the training for the Coast to Coast has been a different type of endurance than she’s used to despite having scaled the highest and most technical mountains in the world and having a long career as a skydiver and filmer.

“Everest, for example, is a 60-day expedition, and when I did that, I’d had a few mountains under my belt so I knew what to expect. It’s a long slog, but you’re able to ease into it.

“The Coast to Coast is tough from the very beginning, where mountaineering is slow and methodical the Coast to Coast is going to be a full on two days and it’s going to hurt.”

However, Budge is confident her mental toughness will kick in when her body starts to tire.

“I’m always advocating in my talks, when you think you’re done you’re actually only at 75 percent.

“It’s being able to rationalize, when your body is screaming you need to listen to that part of your brain that says keep going.”

It’s this perseverance and desire to push out of her comfort zone which is helping to drive Budge, even in her most difficult of the three disciplines.

A past scare in a whitewater rafting incident some years back has left Budge with an apprehension of fast-moving water.

“It was about 20 years ago, we got flipped out of the raft and I became trapped underneath it. The instructor had told me if this happens to find the air pocket. When I found the air pocket it was so tiny and I just couldn’t breathe, suffering from asthma as well I really panicked.”

Despite this, Budge says she has been enjoying learning how to kayak and gaining new skills and confidence. She’s gained her grade 2 and has spent some time on the Waimakariri River already.

“This is definitely another adventure for me, I’m coming into it from ground zero. I’d never been on a road bike and the furthest I had ever run was 15km – I’m not a natural runner.

“I feel confident I can transfer the skills I’ve learnt in other extreme challenges to give me the persistence and sheer dogged determination I will need to pull this off. My motto is – think big, dream bigger.”

Budge hasn’t ruled out doing the Coast to Coast again – all going well she wouldn’t mind having a crack at the longest day.

“People have said to me once you have done the Coast to Coast you’re hooked.”

Podcast Ep4

Wed, 25 Dec 2019 19:46:18 GMT

Date: 26-12-2019

Now inside 50 days to go Team CP's Richard Greer goes a little deeper with course info as well as pulling in some serious advice on shoe choice for training and the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

Bondi to big boulders

Thu, 19 Dec 2019 18:28:22 GMT

Date: 20-12-2019

As if the challenge of managing one of Australia’s most popular and well-known beaches wasn’t difficult enough, two of the world-famous Bondi Rescue crew have decided to take on one of New Zealand’s toughest multisport races, the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

In less than fifty days’ time, along with nearly one thousand other adventurers from around the world, Andrew ‘Reidy’ Reid and Ryan Clarke, known as Whippet, will bike, run and kayak 243 kilometres from the South Island’s West Coast to the East.

"I’m a complete New Zealand adventure addict and the Kathmandu Coast 2 Coast has been on my bucket list for years so to be finally towing the start line in 2020 is a dream come true.” Said Reidy.

“As far as adventure races go the Kathmandu Coast 2 Coast is right at the top of the list. New Zealand is such a beautiful place and what better way to see it then on foot, a bike and in a kayak.” Whippet added.

Race Director Glen Currie said “It is great to have the Reidy and Whippet over here racing what is New Zealand’s and fast becoming Australia’s most iconic endurance race the Kathmandu Coast to Coast. We are excited to see how their skill set of managing surf and warm water temperatures on Bondi Beach transfers to the Waimakariri River and the infamous rock gardens! Rumour has it they have another famous New Zealand tandem team in their sights so look out for some trans-tasman rivalry also!!

Since its inaugural race in 1983, the Kathmandu Coast to Coast has long been synonymous with Kiwis, however its popularity with Australians continues to grow, with the likes of long-distance runner Turia Pitt completing the Mountain run in 2019, 2011 Master Chef competitor Hayden Quinn and adventurer Samantha Gash completing the tandem events in 2018 and 19 respectively, as well as Tasmania’s Alex Hunt earning two podium finishes in the Longest Day event in 2018 and 19.

“I know at certain points in the race we’re going to hurt but I’ll just remind myself of where I am and what I’m doing and I’m sure everything will be okay!"

Whippet is approaching the challenge with an equal mix of trepidation and excitement.

“Although I’m as nervous as I am excited, I can’t wait to get over there and test myself in the toughest terrain against the best athletes. Bring it on.”

Mt Hutt College head towards start-line

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 17:08:52 GMT

Date: 11-12-2019

With school nearly over for the year, the Mt Hutt College crew will up their training over the coming weeks in a bid to ensure they’re ready for the demands of the 2020 Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

The College team are the recipients of the Kathmandu Academy pack, which aims to support young people getting into the outdoors. As part of their prize, the trio of Alex Roderick, Jack Miers, and Adam Shears had a visit from nine-time men’s champion Steve Gurney. “It was great to get some tips from him,” said Shears.

“We got the chance to learn a few things about what to do and some, what not to-dos,” he added.

Shears, who has the honor of starting his team off on the first bike leg from Kumara Beach to Aitkins Corner as well as riding his team home on the final leg from the Waimakariri Gorge to New Brighton Beach, has already been clocking up the k’s completing a couple of rides in excess of 75kms.

“Yeah, I’m starting to get into it a bit more, I’ve had a few hard rides and will crank them up a bit more now too.”

Shears also thanks Kathmandu for the prize pack, “It’s a big help, I don’t have to think about what to wear as that’s been provided and we don’t have to worry about the entry cost, so we can just get on and train.”

Classmate Alex Roderick is looking forward to heading into Goat Pass in the coming weeks in order to get ready to complete the run leg come February 7. “I’m very excited, really looking forward to the Mountain Run and having a good time with the boys.”

“Training has been hard, but fun as well, seeing my improvement go up and up has been great.”

Alex has been running four times per week, with runs up to 45 minutes each along with one run around two hours long each week as well.

Jack Miers recently completed the first few sessions of his grade two kayak certificate and is getting to know Rakaia river well with planned runs down the Waimakariri river over the Christmas period to help prepare him for race day.

Mr Jarrod Coutts who runs the Outdoor Education department at Mt Hutt College said the boys are all showing good progression in their chosen disciplines and will be ready come race day if they keep up the hard work. “We're hoping their efforts can motivate the next batch of multi-sporters in the school and so far as a result we’ve already gathered good interest for multiple team in 2021.”

Podcast Ep 3

Thu, 05 Dec 2019 05:31:19 GMT

Date: 5-12-2019

Richard Greer from TeamCP looks further into what tips and tricks Sports Physio James Sincock has to keep you on track to be on the start line of the 2020 Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

Podcast EP 2

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 22:07:13 GMT

Date: 4-12-2019

Nutrition plays a big part in getting you to the start line of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

TeamCP's Richard Greer deep dives with nutritionist Marewa Sutherland to ensure you've got plenty of tips, tricks and thought-provoking advice which will help aid your training program.

Clark answers call

Thu, 28 Nov 2019 18:21:27 GMT

It may be a case of be careful what you wish for, for 2019 Kathmandu Coast to Coast men’s Champion Dougal Allan. The Wanaka pro indicated that returning for the 2020 event will likely be his last and was hoping to be challenged beyond his limits by his fellow competitors in the hope of finding out just what he’s made of.

“This may sound crazy, but I really want to be pushed. I want to have to be racing right up until the end, and have to work so hard for the win,” said Allan.

“I’d love to have to bury myself on that last ride.”

“I think, for a lot of endurance athletes, that’s the sort of thing that motivates them.”

But with both 2019 runner up Sam Manson and 3rd place getter Alex Hunt choosing to compete in the team's event this year, many had wondered where his competition might come from. He need not have worried, with three-time race winner Sam Clark, who sat out the 2019 event, heeding the call and choosing to return and take Allan on.

Before knowing that Clarke had entered Allan spoke of the high regard, he held Clark in, who has been a teammate in recent times while racing in China.

“I would have to have a really good day and take myself mentally into a dark place to beat him and that gets me excited just saying that!”

In 2017 Clark famously reeled in fellow three-time winner Braden Currie who had a near ten-minute advantage on the Waimakirir river, to go on and win the race in 11 hours two minutes and 43 seconds, nearly eight minutes ahead of Currie.

‘’It’s a massive commitment signing up to the Coast to Coast, both financially and physically, but it’s a race I want to and love to win. So, I’m coming back,’’ said Clark.

“Having Dougal there will be a great test and one I’m really looking forward to.”

Having produced one of the strongest bike rides on the grueling and mind-numbing final ride down South Eyre road in recent memory Clark has shown he has the goods to foot it with the best cyclists out there, although he felt his strengths lay back in the mountain run, ‘If you’re out of sight you’re out of mind and that can be hard mentally for competitors if they know someone’s up ahead of them, so hopefully I can get across the river and produce a bit of a lead on the others.”

Race Director Glen Currie says the return of Clark and the potential battle between the two has the makings of one of the best spectacles in the modern era of the race. “We’ve had some close races in the past, but this is shaping up as the type of race everyone has been waiting for and depending on the conditions it could potentially be the one, we see break the 11-hour mark again.”

"Sometimes the longest day can be a tricky race for a spectator given the remoteness of both the Mountain Run through Goat Pass and in the Waimikiriri Gorge, but I’d say from the Gorge Bridge, anywhere along South Eyre road and especially at New Brighton will be an outstanding place to be a spectator this year.”

Six minutes separated 2015 winner Braden Currie and Sam Clark who finished in second, while and 8-minute spread divided the pair two years later with Clark getting the best of Currie who had sat out the year earlier.

Ryan Kiesnowski has done the opposite to Hunt and Manson and returned to the men’s elite division having won the men’s two-day team event last year while Rhys John and Hamish Elliott will no doubt challenge for a podium finish. Bay of Plenty Dairy Farmer Bobby Dean also returns in 2020 having finished 7th in 2019.

Men’s Elite seeding 2020

#1 Dougal Allan

#2 Sam Clark

#3 Ryan Kiesanowski

#4 Hamish Elliott

#5 Rhy John

#6 Bobby Dean

#7 Olivier Thompson

#8 Scott McDonald

#9 Daniel Barry

#10 Paul Gow

Defending champions return for 2020

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 18:40:08 GMT

With titles to defend, both the 2019 men’s and women’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast Champions will return for the 38th edition of the 243-kilometre adventure race from the South Island’s West coast to the East.

Wanaka’s Dougal Allan will wear the number one bib for the first time, while Simone Maier will go from being the chaser to the chased, after heading off four-time champion Elina Ussher, to win her maiden title in 12 hours 56 minutes and 36 seconds.

‘I knew I was coming back again even before I stood on the start line in 2019,’ said Allan.

The 34-year-old says defending his title is his goal, although this year’s build up does feel a little strange after winning the title last race was more an outcome of a great race, rather than his major focus.

‘I hadn’t raced the Coast to Coast for six years and I did wonder, what might happen if I go back and say come second, what would happen if I executed the race to the best of my ability and still don’t win it?’

‘But when my feet hit the sand on New Brighton beach I kind of came out of this zone, where I realised what I was about to achieve, it was a crazy feeling.’

‘So, it definitely feels a little different this time around.’

Maier, who heads the elite women’s seeding, will be extremely tough to beat, after standing on top of the podium for the first time in 2019, the Kiwi German went on to create history by winning the GodZone Adventure Race as part of the first ever gender balanced team in April this year.

‘I had a pretty amazing year; it’s taken a while, but it has been so good to get some reward for all that hard work I’ve put in over the years.’

The 39-year-old has also been racing in China with Allan, three-time men’s champion Sam Clark and last year’s second place getter Sam Manson. ‘That was so epic. I learnt a lot from them all, even little things like around the transitions and I think that will be good for me in the future.’

Maier also believes she can go even faster than in 2019. ‘It’ll depend on the conditions, like the flow in the river, but I have started working a lot more on my paddling and I hope to have a significant improvement in my paddle and if that happens it could be amazing. But if I keep getting better with my paddling the result will show.’

Staying upright on her bike is also a goal for the 2020 event, after coming off between the mountain run and kayak leg, which she believes cost her a couple of minutes. ‘I just need to concentrate a little more and there are a few minutes I could improve right there.’

Arthur shares his love of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast

colm@mthuttdigital.co.nz (Colm McGrath) — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 06:52:08 GMT

In the early morning of Saturday 12th February 2011, Wellington’s Arthur Tompkins stood on the banks of the Waimakariri River at Mt White Bridge, and watched his son paddle his kayak off into the bright sunrise. He thought to himself, as so many Kathmandu Coast to Coast support crew before and since, I wonder what’s down that river? And, maybe I could do this …

Fast forward to now, and with 7 Coast to Coasts behind him, Arthur is mentoring two student teams from Aotea College in Porirua who will again compete in the 2020 event. His involvement with Aotea College began in mid-2018, when he approached a university friend, Kate Gainsford, now Aotea’s principal, with the suggestion that he spearhead an effort to get a student team (and, as it turned out, a staff team also) to the Coast to Coast start line in February 2019.

Having found their team members and pulled together a team video, including a short support appearance from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, the Aotea College 2019 student teams were successful in gaining the Kathmandu Academy support package. Despite their runner taking a couple of serious falls coming down from Goat Pass during the 2019 event and limping the last few kilometres to the finish at Klondyke Corner their team came out winners in the Boys’ Student category.

Building on the momentum from that, Aotea College will, in 2020, have two student teams – one girl’s and one boy’s – lining up on Kumara beach at 7:00am on Friday 7th February 2020. With generous sponsorship from, amongst others, Rutherford & Bond Toyota and Yakima Roof Racks, the team’s kayakers headed to the Rangitikei River at Mangaweka last weekend for their first on-river training day. The students are looking forward to their Grade Two kayak assessments at the same location shortly, and then the whole group will be heading south in mid-December (thanks Interislander for your help!) for the Rasdex Classic River Race on Saturday 14th December. Whilst the kayakers are paddling the Gorge, that same day the runners will be heading over Goat Pass, and the cyclists will be reconnoitring the cycle stages.

In addition to the six students competing in the 2020 event, two of the successful 2019 Aotea College team are returning in 2020, as members of two separate Two-Day two-person teams. So, Aotea College in Porirua will have, in February 2020, a large and enthusiastic contingent of athletes and support crew at the 2020 Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

By Arthur Tompkins

Kathmandu Coast to Coast Sneak peek

colm@mthuttdigital.co.nz (Colm McGrath) — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 23:36:29 GMT

Grab a sneak peak at the 243 km course from Kumara on the West Coast to New Brighton on the East

Podcast Ep 1

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 22:44:00 GMT

Hear from 2019 men's Champion Dougal Allan and gain some further insight into what to expect from the start of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast with Richard Greer and TeamCP.

Back for number 26

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 17:45:27 GMT

Dave Maitland has been competing in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast for more than a quarter of a century.

Next years event will in fact be his 26th .

Of course, there’s the obvious question that Maitland gets whenever he discloses this to people.

Why does he keep doing it? The answer is pretty simple.

“Because I enjoy it. That’s why.”

Maitland said for him, the event offers up something new every time he does it.

“I know that there’s people who do the event only once because it’s something on their bucket list and they want to tick it off and there’s nothing wrong with that. “For me though the event is strongly aligns with what I enjoy in life. I like a challenge and I love being outdoors so I do it because I enjoy it.”

Maitland will be 60 when he competes in 2020 and after overcoming some health issues, he’s looking forward to tackling it again. “I think the build up and the preparation is different every time that I compete and I think that keeps it interesting as well.

“Every year you’re in a different stage of life with different commitments and responsibilities, so some years have been tougher than others. I’m very lucky that I have such a supportive family.

“The first few years I competed I was married but had no children and then over other years we had young kids and more commitments but I’d train when the kids were in bed. It teaches you a lot about real commitment and having that honesty and accountability in your life - if you get that wrong it bites.

“You’ve got to be ready on the day. When the gun goes the bullshit stops.”

Maitland said while the course has been the same over the years, there’s always something different and the event has never got mundane. “I like how it’s a challenge but it’s certainly achievable and it’s achievable for anyone. You look around and you see things that you haven’t noticed before and the landscape changes too.

“I’ve never been bored with it. I don’t do boring and I don’t procrastinate.”

Maitland said over the years he has developed a deeper appreciation for the event rules and preparation.

He said when he first started competing, he was one of those people who challenged why things had to be done a certain way for health and safety – thinking it was all a bit unnecessary but that view has changed.

“I’ve witnessed when things have gone wrong and how much worse they could have been if they didn’t have the processes and policies in place that they do so I have a lot of respect for the way the event is run.”

For Maitland he said his next event will be about proving to himself that despite being 60 and having had some health battles he still has what it takes.

Having lived many years in Hokitika before venturing on to Kaikoura and then Christchurch. Maitland believes he has had some of the best training backdrops in the country to help him prepare for the event over the years. He never tires of the training and believes training for the event actually makes him better in other aspects of his life – it gives him “a fizz.”

“I just love the event and what it represents. Being in the outdoors, it’s motivational and most importantly it’s achievable.”

For Trish Hastie the timing is finally right in life to do the Coast to Coast

colm@mthuttdigital.co.nz (Colm McGrath) — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 23:48:03 GMT

For Trish Hastie the timing is finally right in life to do the Coast to Coast.

Her interest in the event was peaked more than 20 years ago when at just 11 years old her teacher first introduced her to the idea.

“That teacher had been involved in Outward Bound and I just thought it sounded so cool and I wanted to do it too.

“I was really interested in being outdoors and was always looking for new challenges.”

When Hastie was 21, she completed the Outward Bound. The programme is designed to help young people experience a perfect balance of adventure and reflection. It encourages them to challenge themselves outdoors in Anakiwa in the Marlborough Sounds.

“After having completed that I was inspired for the next outdoor challenge in life.

“When I was in Teacher’s College, I had thought about doing the Coast to Coast then, but I’m glad I didn’t.

“I don’t think the timing would have been right to take on such a big training commitment.”

It would take more than a decade later for the timing to finally be right.

“For the first few years after I was qualified you have wedding season and we always seemed to have a wedding on that weekend of the Coast to Coast.

“Then we had children and it wouldn’t have been possible to train properly when they were really small but now, they are 10, 8 and 6 and I can train while they are at school.”

Hastie also teaches part time at Hornby High School and has completed other events over the years before deciding to tackle the Coast to Coast.

“I’ve done the Spring Challenge, The Kepler – which I really enjoyed. I also did a half Ironman in 2016.”

Hastie’s husband is also into multisport, he completed the Abel Tasman this year.

She says she loves the example that events like this set for their children.

“It’s about doing it for yourself, to challenge yourself. I think it’s one of those events that not many people enter because they think they will win it. It’s about training and working hard toward for your own goal and accomplishment and that’s what’s important.”

Hastie’s niece who was born when she was 11 – right around the same time she was being inspired by the Coast to Coast is also competing in the event in 2020.

“It’s been great we’ve done some training together and it’s awesome to have that support – we are competing but not against each other.”

For Hastie, she has her preferred disciplines and a definite least preferred.

“The kayaking is the toughest for me. I actually really enjoy it but it’s by far my most difficult component. I enjoy running the best.”

Hastie is also grateful for having so many areas to train right on her back doorstep.

“I love Kennedy’s Bush and The Crater Rim and there’s also lots of events to enter in the lead up to the Coast to Coast as well which has been great.”

With the days getting longer and the temperatures warming up Hastie is looking forward to no more “freezing” mid-winter bike rides. She also hasn’t ruled out competing in the event more than once.

“I just really want to enjoy it and then wait and see if I want to do it again, I think it’s one of those events which would be different every year.”

Jo Kane celebrates ‘pension year’ entry with family by her side

colm@mthuttdigital.co.nz (Colm McGrath) — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 21:34:17 GMT

Despite there being over 200 days to go until the 2020 Kathmandu Coast to Coast, the banter is ramping up amongst the Kane family, who will line up in a 3-person relay team, 33 years after mum Jo first took on the iconic multisport event.

It will be the 9th time Jo has competed in the event, the third time for daughter Brodie, a local radio personality on The Hits Canterbury, and the first time for son AJ, a stay at home dad.

‘AJ said the other day that he won’t be wearing bike shorts or lycra, but both Brodie and I said, haha, yes you will!’ said Jo.

‘And my wee grand kids were baiting me, asking what was I going to do when I fell out of the kayak?'

After crossing the finish line for the 8th time as part of a two-person team with Brodie back in 2007, Jo thought that it would be her last. But with the three-person relay category introduced since, the chance to compete alongside both her two kids was too good to turn down. ‘I can’t run because of my knees anymore and I don’t really want to bike that far either, but I really enjoy kayaking and I really want to do the race.'

‘I think the three-person team is a fantastic category and really caters for anyone to be able to be part of the fun.’

'I thought it would be a really nice thing to do as a family alongside both Brodie and AJ.’

Having swum the Cook Straight to celebrate her 40th birthday, an adventure like the Coast to Coast seemed like the perfect tonic to cheer in her ‘pension year’ too. ‘I’m kind of using it as a bit of motivation too,’ Jo added.

While the banter has been flying about within the tight knit family, some of the old photos have surfaced and made for good ribbing material. ‘It’s crazy to look back, look at the shorts or the t-shirts we were wearing back then (1987-88 and 89). I think I was even wearing a bum bag in one of those years,’ said Jo.

Jo says that while she has a clear understanding of the adventure she’s signed up for, there’s still plenty of challenges to get her excited. ‘It’s been great so far, I’ll be going back to get my grade 2 kayak certificate, so that’ll be fun. I don’t think I’ve been down the Waimak with a rudder before either!' she laughed.

'I just hope there’s some etiquette in the river, you know ladies first and respect your elders! Haha,' Jo added.

Just like last year Brodie will take on the Mountain Run, while older brother AJ has been charged with getting the family off to a good start in the 1st bike leg from Kumara Beach to Aitkens corner and bringing them home in the final ride from the Waimakariri Gorge to New Brighton beach.

‘I can’t wait,’ said Brodie. 'I thought I wasn’t coming back this year, but when Elton John changed his concert dates, I couldn’t wait to come back, and it’ll be really fun having AJ involved too,’ she added.

Jake Bailey signs up to take on the full Kathmandu Coast to Coast

colm@mthuttdigital.co.nz (Colm McGrath) — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 21:34:16 GMT

Jake Bailey has found himself bitten by the Kathmandu Coast to Coast bug and will line up for a second time in 2020, this time as an individual after being part of a three-person relay in 2019.

It’s a remarkable turnaround for the former Christchurch Boys High School Head Boy who fought off Burkitt’s non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, only to struggle to walk unassisted after the chemotherapy damaged the nerves in his legs.

But true to form, and his incredible resilience, in 2019, three years after his initial diagnosis, the 21-year-old took on the three part 140-kilometre bike ride to cross the finish line in New Brighton, alongside two of his ex-school mates, James Dunbar and Dalton Ewing.

‘The feeling of accomplishment was incredible. I was so humbled to have been able to be a part of an event with so much history and meaning to the Canterbury community - and also fairly grateful that I made it!’ said Bailey, who is also a Kathmandu Ambassador.

Almost as quick as he crossed the finish line, like many who start their Coast to Coast journey as part of a team, Bailey had already set his sights on coming back to take on the challenge of completing the 243-kilometre course in the two-day individual event. ‘Even the day before, at the registration you start to feel how special the event is and how much it will mean to you to achieve the Kathmandu Coast to Coast, and then when you do cross that finish line, you just want to do it again,’ said Bailey.

‘It’s a tough race, there’s no doubt about it, but having grown up in Christchurch and seen family members and friends do it for years, I just want to be able to say I did that too, the whole thing on my own. I went from one side of the South Island to the other and it was all me.’

Having recently completed the Tour de Cure, a 1400km bike race in Australia, Bailey says he’s comfortable with the bike and run legs of the event, but mastering the kayak, including earning his grade two certificate will be a challenge. ‘It’s probably my biggest challenge to learn the kayak, but I’ve got more than 200 days to get myself sorted, so I’m confident I’ve got enough time to get myself organised. And there are some fantastic people around that I’m sure will help me out along the way.’

Now in remission for the third year, Bailey is also looking forward to continuing to demonstrate there is life after an illness such as cancer. ‘I’d like to show survivors that they can go on to better things. That cancer doesn’t define them. I often meet parents whose kids are going through cancer and they’re incredibly worried about how their kids might come out the other side from a physical standpoint, and I guess I’m walking proof that life can be good, it can be great and it shouldn’t hold you back.’

Kathmandu Coast to Coast sells out in record time

colm@mthuttdigital.co.nz (Colm McGrath) — Tue, 07 May 2019 21:34:15 GMT

The sold-out signs are up at the Kathmandu Coast to Coast, 9 months ahead of the 38th crossing of the South Island, earlier than any year in recent memory. One of the original multisport and adventure racing events seems to be appealing to a wider audience than ever before, with over 1050 athletes set to take on the 243km race from Kumara Beach on the West Coast to New Brighton on the East.

Race Director and former competitor Glen Currie says people have fallen back in love with the event and puts a lot of that down to the hard work previous race director Richard Ussher and owners Trojan Holdings have invested into the event. ‘Five years ago, numbers were nearly half where we are today. When Trojan purchased the race, they backed the vision of Richard’s to make the event more inclusive and accessible for as many people that wanted to take on the challenge,’ said Currie.

‘We kind of look at it like, if you think you can do it and you’re prepared to commit to the training and development of skills then you probably can reach the finish line of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast,’ he went on to say.

Ussher who was reasonably vocal in the changes he thought would improve the event when he was a competitor got the opportunity to implement many of those as a race director, such as reducing the entry fees, changing a number of the transitions to be fairer and more similar to other international races and a greater focus on using technology to tell the story of what is happening on the course during the event.

Currie, who is in his second year as Race Director, was extremely appreciative of the work former owner Robin Judkins had done in not only creating the concept but playing such a big part in establishing the events rich history and place in the sporting calendar. ‘People often think of the 2nd weekend in February as Coast to Coast weekend. For 30 something years Robin ran it and created a must do event for many Kiwis and now internationals. The race is unique in the fact that it is recognised as ‘iconic’ this is largely due to Robin’s vision. We’ve just been fortunate enough to have the backing of the new owners to make some refinements and people seem to be excited about the adventure once again.’

In the 37 years of the event the course has literally stayed almost the same, with the biggest change being the shift of the finish line from Sumner Beach to New Brighton Beach, enabling less stress on Christchuch transport resources.

Currie also said the partnership with Kathmandu as the naming rights sponsor of the event has also been a significant contributor to broadening the events appeal. ‘Kathmandu match our values in many ways, they’re about people being outdoors and the adventures that comes from this environment, having them on board has helped us to connect with even more people interested in the outdoors and enabled us to promote the adventure to a wider audience.’

He said the event staff and owners were looking forward to making a few more tweaks in the coming years, which should continue the events appeal. ‘We’ve now got children of former competitors competing and I think that’s something really special and unique.’

Kathmandu Coast to Coast wins Outstanding Sports Event Award at 2019 Canterbury Sports Awards

colm@mthuttdigital.co.nz (Colm McGrath) — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 20:31:38 GMT

The countless hours by the over 300 volunteers are a key contributor to the Kathmandu Coast to Coast winning the Outstanding Sports Event award at the 2019 Canterbury Sports Awards according to Race Director, Glen Currie.

‘To put an event on of this scale takes a lot of moving parts all working in unison, and we couldn’t do it without the efforts of our volunteers and the support of our many partners.’

‘Those volunteers and supporters aren’t stationed in one location either,’ Currie added, ‘we have people helping from the start line on the West Coast, with Mountain Safety on Goat Pass, along seventy odd kilometres of the Waimakariri River, at the finish line at New Brighton on the East Coast and everywhere in-between. And not just for a few hours either, our volunteers and support organisations are often up early or working late, they’re the lifeblood of Kathmandu Coast to Coast. So, I’d like to think this award is for them,’ Currie continued.

With plans already underway for the events 38th Crossing of the South Island in February 2020, Currie gave a special mention to outgoing Operations Manager Bill Roxburgh and former Race Director Richard Ussher who have been a driving force in tweaking the event over the past few years. ‘Their experience was invaluable and they both helped modernise a lot of operational parts to the race, many of which competitors and spectators might not see, but get the benefits of, so a big thank you must go out to those two.’

Currie also paid homage to the competitors who religiously sign up to test themselves against one of the toughest, but finish-able multisport races in the country, ‘this race isn’t easy, but it’s extremely rewarding, and I think that’s perhaps why so many people are drawn to it. If you’re not a competitor, then there are lots of ways you can still get a buzz out of the event, whether it’s as part of a support crew or volunteer or lining the course at some point across the 243 kilometres to cheer on the competitors, many who aren’t elite athletes, it’s a really fun event to be involved with.’

The 37th Crossing in 2019 saw the highest number of competitors compete across the 243-kilometre course ever.

Allan and Maier win closest fought Kathmandu Coast to Coast in history

colm@mthuttdigital.co.nz (Colm McGrath) — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 20:37:06 GMT

Dougal Allan and Simone Maier won the closest fought men's and women's Kathmandu Coast to Coast World Championship one day race in the events 37 year history.

After an absence of six years Wanaka based Allan finally added his name to an impressive list of previous winners, taking the men’s title in a time of eleven hours and fifteen minutes after a fierce three way battle with Christchurch based Sam Manson and leading Australian multi-sport athlete Alex Hunt.

The trio were part of a 13 rider breakaway on the first 55 kilometre cycle leg with Hunt first out of the 30 kilometre mountain running leg and first onto the Waikamarkiri River’s 67 kilometre kayak section after a charging Allan had made up almost three minutes to catch Manson and Bobby Dean in the short 15 kilometre cycle leg that come afters the mountain run.

Dean faded early in the kayak as the three top seeds Hunt, Allan and Manson followed each other battling head to head down the river in the tightest battle the event had ever witnessed at that stage of the race.

Hunt was first to drop off the pace with Manson taking the lead with Allan quick to follow the local kayaking river guide who was expected to be the days strongest on the river. Manson had a weak moment with about 20 kilometres left to kayak that Allan was quick to take advantage of eventually coming off the river with a four minute lead heading into the final 70 kilometre cycle leg into Christchurch, storming home 15 minutes ahead of Manson who also had his best result in the race. Hunt finished third.

Surrounded by his young family 33-year-old Allan said coming back to race in his first Coast to Coast since 2013 was a chance to make amends and set an example for his kids.

"Flynn here and Matilda (Allan's daughter), they're my world," he said at the finish. "A big part of coming back was to set an example to them that you've got to reach for your goals, and success is never guaranteed, but I just wanted them to see that I had the courage to come and have a crack.”

"It's been six years since my last shot at it. I was probably guilty of fearing failure in a way. I sort of just had to get over myself and I thought the success in these sorts of things is having a crack.”

"It's really a career highlight. This race, it means a lot to me and I've been trying to win it for the best part of a decade."

The women's race was equally exciting with Christchurch based German Maier also claiming her first-time World Championship title in a time of 12 hours and 56 minutes beating four time champion Elina Ussher of Nelson by 11 minutes and Fiona Downling who came home in third two minutes behind Ussher.

Maier, who was almost lost for words on the finish line after winning the Kathmandu Coast to Coast in her third attempt, entered the mountain run in the lead and although Ussher, Fiona Dowling and Corrinne O’Donnell fought hard closing the gap at times, she was never passed by the other women.

"I don't know how I feel. I need to give it some time," she said. "I put a lot of time and effort into this event and I know it's going to be hard, and I guess there was a lot of expectation on me, a lot of pressure on myself, so to actually finally win the Coast is pretty amazing; I guess third time lucky."

Maier had to recover from crashing her bike into a van during the short cycling stage that sits between the mountain run and leads into the kayaking and was also given a two-minute penalty in transition due to a support crew member taking her bike from the rack and sitting it up on the road, something competitors must do.

Selena Metherell held on to her first day lead to win the women’s individual two day event in fourteen hours and 28 minutes, finishing 16 minutes ahead of Connie Dick.

Lachie Brownlie’s superior kayaking skills and multi-sport experience saw him overtake overnight two day men’s leader Sam Bell to win the two day men’s event in 12 hours and 41 minutes. Bell slipped to third with Harry Llewwllyn moving up to second, 12 minutes behind Brownlie.

Robert Loveridge and Tony McGuire built on the lead in the men’s two days team event to win in 12 hours and 24 minutes while the White Knights team of Penny Costello and Michelle Knight won the womens two day teams category in 15 hours and five minutes.

Team Top Sport’s mixed team of Dainel Jones, Kate Cambie and Dan Barry were the fastest three person team winning in eleven hours and 18 minutes.

Former All Black Captain Richie McCaw and New Zealand Rugby Players Association boss Rob Nichol moved up two places to fourth in the open men's category of the tandem team’s event won by Bender Bro’s Cory Sutherland and Calum Sutherland in thirteen hours and 26 minutes.

“I was pretty average yesterday but luckily woke up feeling a bit better and yeah, we actually had a reasonable day, didn't we," McCaw said.

"I found it hard yesterday for extra reasons but I guess it just wets your appetite. You do something like this then you go I could do this and that better, and that's what it's all about."

The pair crossed the finish line on day two with a time of fourteen hours and 49 minutes with McCaw admitting that the two-day race took a big toll on him, but said it felt good to finally finish the tough event.

"To be honest I felt just as bad walking as I did running so I was like might as well keep trying; one foot in front of the other. People say do you enjoy this stuff, and sometimes you don't, but it's actually getting to this point, standing here, and the real sense of achievement you get."

Key results:

Men's longest day:

1. Dougal Allan (Wanaka) 11hr, 15 mins, 0 secs

2. Sam Manson (Christchurch) 11hr, 30 mins, 04secs

3. Alex Hunt (Australia) 11hr, 39mins, 34 secs

Women's longest day:

1. Simone Maier (Christchurch) 12hr, 56mins, 36 secs

2. Elina Ussher (Nelson) 13hr, 7mins, 10 secs

3. Fiona Dowling (Alexandra) 13hr, 9 mins, 17 secs

Father not surprised by daughter’s effort at Kathmandu Coast to Coast

colm@mthuttdigital.co.nz (Colm McGrath) — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 20:40:39 GMT

Although she was surprised to be leading the women’s individual two day Kathmandu Coast to Coast Selena Metherell’s father had no doubt she would do well.

“It’s in her blood,” proud dad Alister said after she came off the mountain run. “I did the first Coast to Coast in 1983, I’ve done the longest day and I did the 20th anniversary race so we knew she’d do it at some stage.”

Selena, who has represented New Zealand in orienteering, was quick to agree saying the fact her dad did the first Coast to Coast meant it’s always been an event she’s wanted to do.

“I just wanted to have fun and had no idea how I’d do, so to be leading I’m surprised but happy.’

There were some family nerves about how tomorrows kayak might go after today’s mountain run played to her running strength and Metherell hopes a knee she hurt today won’t affect her defence of a 12 minute lead over Hannah Lund when racing gets underway at 7am from Klondyke corner.

A group of 20 cyclists in the individual event got away off the front of the race, after the short run off Serpentine Beach near Kumara on the South Island’s West Coast early this morning.

The group dropped five riders by the time it reached the start of the mountain run at Aickens with Sam Bell and Lachie Brownlie first off the bikes.

The pair were together until Brownlie took a more direct route heading up the Deception Valley to establish a small lead as both athletes struggled with cramp in the hot conditions.

Competing in his first Coast to Coast former age group national duathlon representative Bell picked up the pace over Goat Pass to catch Brownlie and once on the flat put the hammer down to take the lead in the two day men’s individual event finishing the first day in five hours and twenty six minutes, seven minutes ahead of Brownlie.

“It’s pretty cool to be first after the first day,” Bell said. “And I’m keen to back up tomorrow and smash the last bike leg but I’ve only been kayaking for 18 months so that’s a bit of an unknown.”

In a repeat of last year’s effort Daniel Jones was first to cross the line in Klondyke to give their three person mixed team Top Sport an impressive lead of more than an hour over Here for the Beers James Nissen, Shannon Edgar and Reon Park who lie second in the mixed three person teams and an 11 minute lead over the leading three person men’s team Encrampment’s Ben Williams, Max Rubbo and Martin McDonald.

Jones, who was ninth in 2017’s World Championship Longest Day and completed five years in the United States on an athletics scholarship, ran the 30.5 kilometre Mingha Deception route in a time of two hours and 49 minutes reeling in and passing two day individual leaders Bell and Brownie who had started the day 15 minutes before Jones.

Robert Loveridge and Tony McGuire lead the two person men’s teams while Bender Bro’s Cory Sutherland and Calum Sutherland are the team to beat in the tandem team’s event that includes former All Black Captain Richie McCaw and New Zealand Rugby Players Association boss Rob Nichol who are one hour and 21 minutes behind the leaders time of six hours and 48 minutes.

"It wasn't as quick as we perhaps had in mind,” McCaw said. “Some days are like that so it’s just good we made it. I thought we might have been a little quicker if we'd been feeling a bit better, but it was what it was. Couldn't have gone any quicker I tell you," McCaw said.

Chris Harte from Christchurch won the men’s mountain run event in a time of three hours and 34 minutes beating Ben Jozefiak by 22 minutes while Julia Chamberlain from Darfield was first home in the women’s event in a time of four hours and 44 minutes with Stephanie Blake coming second four minutes behind.

Australian inspirational burns survivor and ultramarathon competitor Turia Pitt completed the Mountain Run in less than six hours, her first foray back in to the world of competitive events, just over a year after the birth of her son, Hakavai.

The World Championship Longest Day event gets under way at 6am tomorrow featuring four time winner Elina Ussher who is competing in her fourteenth straight Coast to Coast and a very open men’s field that does not have a previous winner on the start line.

Ussher will face a number of strong women including Christchurch based German Simone Maier, Swedish adventure racing champion Marika Wagner and Whakatane’s Corrinne O’Donnell. The women’s race has a deep field with Australians Bern Dornom and Leela Hancox and Kiwis Claire Bell, Isla Smith, Fiona Dowling and Georgia Whitla all potentially podium contenders.

The men’s race is shaping up as arguably one of the most exciting in yearswith Alex Hunt from Australia aiming to be first foreigner to win the one day men’s race since World Marathon Kayak Champion Australian John Jacoby won in 1993.

Christchurch based Sam Manson and Wanaka endurance athlete Dougal Allan loom as the two Kiwi favourites to take the one day win with Australian Tim Boote and Kiwis Andrew Sclater, Bobby Dean, Ryan Kiesanowski, Sam Goodall and veterans Nathan Peterson and Brent Edwards all athletes expected to make their presence felt.

Photo credit: Marathon-Photos.com:1) Selena Metherell is the women’s individual two day Kathmandu Coast to Coast leader after the first day. 2) All Black Captain Richie McCaw and New Zealand Rugby Players Association boss Rob Nichol on the mountain run on the first day of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

Photo credit:

Marathon-Photos.com:1) Selena Metherell is the women’s individual two day Kathmandu Coast to Coast leader after the first day. 2) All Black Captain Richie McCaw and New Zealand Rugby Players Association boss Rob Nichol on the mountain run on the first day of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

Exciting battle in women’s race and new men’s winner guaranteed in Kathmandu Coast to Coast

colm@mthuttdigital.co.nz (Colm McGrath) — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 21:03:23 GMT

The women’s race is poised for an exciting battle while a new winner is guaranteed in the men’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast longest day world Championship this Saturday.

The women’s one day event features four time winner Elina Ussher who is competing in her fourteenth straight Coast to Coast along with a strong mix of experienced New Zealand and international athletes and a number of competitors still relatively new to multisport but who could still mount a serious challenge.

“Being an ex-competitor I still get excited about the pointy end of the field,” Kathmandu Race Director Glen Currie said. “There is an amazing depth in New Zealand adventure racing with a number of athletes training like Olympians for Kathmandu Coast to Coast glory.”

“New Zealand generally dominates on the Adventure Racing world stage and arguably one of the reasons for this is the depth and strength of female athletes in the sport.”

“Elina Ussher is again number one in the race having won it numerous times before,” Currie said. “She knows the course so well and has strength in all disciplines so will be difficult to beat.”

Ussher feels like she has had a good build up, taking it easier after an intensive period of racing in China in September and October and competing in the Pioneer six day mountain bike stage race in November.

“I only started my Coast to Coast training just before Christmas, so it’s been relatively short build up but a little bit more intense than in the past,” Ussher said.

Currie thinks Simone Maier is arguably currently the strongest female competitor in New Zealand across all disciplines, saying that the fact she has not been able to win the One Day World Multisport Championships before – she has finished second and third - will make her “super hungry for it this year.”

Like Ussher, Maier has had her shortest build for the event but says she is feeling good about it. “I’ve had no injuries or sickness so I feel good about Saturday,” she said. “I have trained well for it and I feel I'm ready to race hard and enjoy the scenery along the way. I want to race my own race and have fun and then the result will take care of itself.”

“Every time I race I’m aiming to win. It is an amazing course and I just like to see what I can do on it, going hard and feeling great, but you don’t get many of those days as there are so many elements that can happen.”

How Swedish adventure racing champion Marika Wagner can perform in her first attempt is a question race officials and her fellow competitors are all wondering. Wagner has an impressive resume that includes winning the 2018 Åre Extreme Challenge, Scandinavia’s first and oldest multisport adventure race that doubles as the Open European Multi Sport Championship. She has performed well in mountain biking and is a strong runner but is more at home racing as a team so how she adapts to racing solo as in individual will be watched with interest.

New Paragraph“Honestly I have no idea how the race is going to go,” Wagner said. “I'm hopefully going to do a good race, but I’m aware of the knowledge, experience and preparations of the other contenders. It's my first time in New Zealand and I absolutely love it. Both the race and the trip have been big dreams of mine.”

“This is a big challenging race and I'm very humble about being here to do it. I do want to have a good race without deep lows and finish with the feeling that I've been strong and pushed it hard. There’s no easy bits and that takes a lot of mental power and I’m more used to racing in teams so it will be interesting to see how I manage alone.”

Currie expects Wagner to follow Ussher and Maier through the challenging mountain run in the hope of potentially upsetting them later in the day, but thinks her lack of course knowledge may prove to be a decisive factor in the days outcome.

Corrinne O’Donnell is one of the female contenders to watch this year according to Currie after she has made a name for herself on the Adventure Racing scene picking up what he says are “those crazy Whakatane adventure racing genes.”

“She could potentially upset all of the major favourites this year, so the women’s race is shaping up as a very tough battle. As always it is a deep field with the likes of Bern Dornom and Leela Hancox who will be flying the Australian flag. Claire Bell, Isla Smith, Fiona Dowling and Georgia Whitla are all potentially podium contenders.”

Currie thinks the men’s race is shaping up as arguably one of the most exciting in years. “With no Ussher, Currie or Clark names on the start list it means there isn’t really a one to beat scenario,” he said.

“Alex Hunt from Australia has the number one bib after his runner up performance to Sam Clark last year. He now has a good appreciation of what it takes to win and will no doubt be hungry to back up his number one seeding and be the first foreign to win the one day men’s race since World Marathon Kayak Champion Australian John Jacoby won in 1993.”

Christchurch based Sam Manson and Wanaka endurance athlete Dougal Allan loom as the two Kiwi favourites to take the one day win.

Allan, who in recent years has focused more on long distance adventure racing and triathlon events, says that deep down he always knew he would be back at an event he hasn’t done since 2013 when he was third behind Braden Currie and Richard Ussher, it was just a matter of when.

“My build up has been pretty smooth sailing,” Allan said. “It has been hard and consistent and very targeted, which it needed to be after six years away from the race. I have felt a renewed excitement for the race and the preparation that goes into getting there in top shape, so I look back on my training block with awesome memories and am proud of how I have focused so well.”

Allan says he is excited to test himself after the six year absence to see if he has managed to come back in a position to race better than he has previously. “My approach will involve patience, consistency and a self-focused mentality, in other words I plan to race the course first and foremost. If I can race the course to the best of my ability I am confident I can be competitive.”

“I have great admiration for any top level athletes that come to race the Kathmandu Coast to Coast but especially those who do so from overseas. We have a unique environment in the South Island and both Alex (Hunt) and James (Pretto) showed they weren’t bothered by it last year. It will be a huge challenge and I cannot wait.”

“I'm certainly fitter than ever and it’s about executing it right on race day. It’s no secret my paddling has been going well lately but I am certain my running and cycling is in fine form too.”

Currie said Allan has returned to the event this year for no other reason than to try and win it. “There is probably no other athlete that has done under 11 hours on the current course yet finished second, so just how he goes after his time away is another fascinating element.”

Manson has a committed an entire year to purely focus on this year’s Coast to Coast. “This is my biggest build since I started in 2012,” Manson said. “Usually I do loads of racing through the winter and spring which reduces the volume at which I can train, but by only competing in two multisport events I have been able to increase the hours and volume at which I train and become better at some of my weaker points.”

“James had a great race last year that I was impressed by and I am sure I'll see him near the front again this year and Alex is always an impressive force to reckon with. It’s great to see Alex is improving his finishing times in this race as he better understands the technical and navigational aspects of the run and paddling the Waimakariri River.”

Other male athletes who should all make their presence felt include Australian Tim Boote and Kiwis Andrew Sclater, Bobby Dean, Ryan Kiesanowski, Sam Goodall and veterans Nathan Peterson and Brent Edwards.

Such is the cycling strength of Allan, Currie believes any of the men wanting to win in New Brighton will have to have at least a five minute lead coming out of the kayak too hold him off on the final 69 kilometre cycle leg.

Former Black Fern Captain Sarah Helmore, rugby player Ben Hurst, Olympian and former pro mountain biker Kashi Leuchs and world champion swimmer and another Olympian Moss Burmester are examples of the special pull the event has on elite athletes from other sporting codes.

There is good continuing growth from schools and younger aged competitors and those in the tandem two day event that sold out early and includes former All Black Captain Richie McCaw and his long-term friend and Adventure Racing team-mate Rob Nichol.

The Kathmandu Coast to Coast, which filled up this year at its earliest point in 14 years, gets underway on Serpentine Beach south of Greymouth at 7am on Friday with the World Championship Longest Day event getting underway on Saturday morning at 6am.

One Day Seeding

Women

Elina Ussher, NZ
Simone Maier, Germany
Corrine O'Donnell, NZ
4 Claire Bell, NZ
5 Marika Wagner, Sweden
Geogia Whitla NZ
Fiona Dowling, NZ
Isla Smith, NZ
Kathryn Buckenberg, NZ
Ailsa Rollinson, NZ

Men

Alex Hunt, Australia
Dougal Allan, NZ
Sam Manson, NZ
James Pretto, Australia
Andrew Sclater NZ
Bobby Dean NZ
Oliver Thompson NZ (withdrawn)
Sam Goodall NZ
Ryan Kiesanowski NZ
Tim Boote, Australia

Images:

Photo credit: Marathon-Photos.com; Four time winner Elina Ussher who is competing in her fourteenth straight Kathmandu Coast to Coast
Photo creditr: ottonorin.se Otto Norin Swedish adventure racing champion Marika Wagner is racing in her first Kathmandu Coast to Coast 3)Photo credit: Marathon-Photos.com Australian Alex Hunt is the favourite to be the first foreigner to win the Kathmandu Coast to Coast one day men’s race since World Marathon Kayak Champion Australian John Jacoby won in 1993

Kathmandu Coast to Coast 20 years in the making for blind Wellington man

colm@mthuttdigital.co.nz (Colm McGrath) — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 21:06:24 GMT

Competing in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast has been over 20 years in the making for blind Wellington athlete Dave Piper.

“Call it sibling rivalry,” he said. “My brother did the event in 1995 and it’s been something I’ve wanted to do ever since; it’s a rite of passage and something you just have to do being a Kiwi, it’s that simple.”

Piper was born with a degenerative eye disease and knew he would eventually lose his sight but it started to significantly affect his life around 20 years ago, losing any usable vision 12 years ago.

"Why should losing my sight prevent me from doing events like the Kathmandu Coast to Coast? It’s only my two eyes that don’t work, nothing else has shut down."

Piper will be accompanied by Josh Thomas as a guide throughout the event with the pair running off the start line together near Kumara on the South Island’s West Coast tethered together by an old rugby sock before jumping on a tandem bike for the first 55 kilometre cycle leg.

They will then be joined by a second guide, Olivier Lacoua from Christchurch, for the gruelling 30 kilometre mountain run over Goat Pass, which Piper says will present the biggest challenge.

“I can’t wait for the kayak on the second day, I really can’t but the run has some uncertainty around it even though I’ve done lots of river crossings, trial running and boulder hopping, every trial and mountain is different. The tarmac on a bike is generally predictable and the heading down the river in a tandem kayak I expect to be fine but all mountain runs are vastly different.”

Piper had always been an active sportsman playing football and cricket, as well as taking part in triathlons and half marathons and remains highly motivated to keep up his physical activities and events.

He has competed in the Wellington Ultra off road marathon, the Tauranga half Ironman and a number of half marathons with the support of Achilles New Zealand, an organisation that supports people with disabilities to run alongside able-bodied athletes in mainstream running events.

He is quick to add he expects 25 year old Thomas to be bitten by the Kathmandu Coast to Coast multi-sport bug. “He’s a sub three hour marathon runner and has a couple of ironman events under his belt, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see him back doing the one day event after getting a taste of it with me this year. Without him I wouldn’t be doing it so his support is pretty special.”

Image:

Supplied; Blind athlete DavePiper (left) gets some training in along the Wellington water front with Josh Thomas who will act as his guide as the pair compete next month’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

Three generations set to create history at Kathmandu Coast to Coast

colm@mthuttdigital.co.nz (Colm McGrath) — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 21:08:24 GMT

History will be made at next month’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

Laurie Knowler 68, his son John 50, and grandson Josh 17, are the first three-generation team to line up in the event.

“It’s very special to be the first three generation team to attempt the Kathmandu Coast to Coast and hopefully complete it,” John said. “It’s good to be doing it with my dad and son before grandad and I are on Zimmer Frames and young Josh leaves the nest.”

John did the event in 2011 in a two man team where he experienced a gusty Kayak leg but finished it safely and loved it. Ankle injuries have prevented a solo effort so John is focused on the Kayak while Laurie, who has been a good runner in his day completing events likes of the Keplar Challenge mountain run a number of times, now enjoys mountain biking so will do the cycle legs leaving Josh to tackle the mountain run.

“It’s going to be great sharing it with the boys of the family,” John said. “We love the history of the event and the crossing of the mainland. “Josh has been hitting the trails I have had a good bit of water time so training is going well, although grandad has a bad knee so the run to the bike will be slow and steady, but his riding training is going well.”

“The first adventure together as three generations was when we completed the 10 kilometre run at the Southland marathon together seven years ago when Josh was only 10 years old. We crossed the line together in a respectable 52 minutes.”

The family are from Invercargill but Laurie now lives in Clyde in Central Otago where he is semi-retired.

“It’s going to be a real family affair with dads’ wife, my wife and my two other children as our support crew, we can’t wait.”

The Kathmandu Coast to Coast two day event starts on Serpentine Beach near Kumara on the South Island’s West Coast on Friday February 8 with the Longest Day World Championship one day event held the following day.

Competitors traverse the width of the South Island, crossing the main divide reaching over 1000 metres above sea level, finishing on the East Coast in Christchurch at the Pier on New Brighton beach.

Image: supplied - John Knowler, who will be joined by his father Laurie and son Josh, make up the first three-generation team to line up in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

Hits host Brodie Kane can’t wait to be part of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast

colm@mthuttdigital.co.nz (Colm McGrath) — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 21:13:48 GMT

The Hits breakfast presenter Brodie Kane can’t wait to be part of next month’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

She finished her first marathon last year inspired and motivated to keep the running up so set her sights on the tough 30 kilometre mountain run that has multiple river crossings as it heads through the Mingha – Deception valleys and crosses Goat Pass in the heart of the Southern Alps.

“After my first ever marathon I kind of figured there's no point doing all that training to just throw it away, so I decided to get off the road and up the hills to keep the training up and keep me on the straight and narrow over Christmas,” Kane said.

Kane is not a complete stranger to the event, doing it in 2011 in a two person team with her mother where she did the run off the beach and the first 55 kilometre cycle leg, the short 15 kilometre cycle and the stunning 70 kilometre kayak down the Waimakariri River.

She moved home to Christchurch last year to work on The Hits Breakfast show with Dave Fitzgerald, and says she’s loving living in her home town again and has fully embraced its easy access to the outdoors.

“I would argue that the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is one of the coolest events in the world. Crossing a country in this way is so special and unique. When mum and I did it 12 years ago it was so much fun, the camping, the people and the whole experience is just unreal.”

“Mum has done the event eight times. She is amazing; she's been giving me some great tips for the mountain run.”

Kane admits there wasn't a lot of running over the Christmas Break so says she’s now in a mild panic of last minute cramming phase.

“But I'm thinking – and hoping - I've got a really good base fitness that will help me through, plus a few more big hills between now and then and I'll be sweet,” she said laughing.

“I can't wait to cross the finish line of the mountain run and be involved in such a cool event again. I bloody loved it 12 years ago with mum and hopefully I love it as much this time.”

The Kathmandu Coast to Coast is internationally recognised as the birthplace of multi-sport and adventure racing with the first official event held on February 26 and 27 in 1983 with only 79 competitors. The event has become a rite of passage for multisport athletes from around the world with over 19,000 people having competed in the event over the years.

It sold out last year for the first time since 2004 and next month is set to be see the largest number of competitors, 1,030, take part in the 234 kilometre journey across the South Island in its 35 year history.

Loren Heaphy, ChristchurchNZ General Manager Destination and Attraction, said the Kathmandu Coast to Coast has long been an iconic event for the South Island and for Canterbury.

“The Kathmandu Coast to Coast is a landmark event on the trans-Tasman sporting calendar, and continues to bring Christchurch and Canterbury into the spotlight.

“ChristchurchNZ values the event as a chance to promote our city and our region to those that compete in, support or spectate this amazing event. It’s great to see a well-known local like Brodie stepping up to the challenge.”

Heaphy said the best way for locals to be involved was at New Brighton beach on February 9, to catch competitors like Brodie at the finish line.

“It’s set to be an exciting day in New Brighton with a party atmosphere, and presents an awesome opportunity to cheer home our incredible athletes.”

Image: Supplied.

The Hits breakfast presenter Brodie Kane has been racking up the training miles as she prepares to tackle the Kathmandu Coast to Coast mountain run.

Australians in the hunt at Kathmandu Coast to Coast

colm@mthuttdigital.co.nz (Colm McGrath) — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 21:18:24 GMT

Australians in the hunt at Kathmandu Coast to Coast

Australians Alex Hunt and James Pretto are leading the charge to be the first foreign multi-sport athletes to win the Kathmandu Coast to Coast longest day world Championship men’s event in 26 years.

The iconic event has been dominated by New Zealand winners with multi-sport legend Steve Gurney winning nine times, former race director Richard Ussher and Kathy Lynch claimed five titles, Ussher’s wife Elina and Jill Westenra won four times and Emily Miazga, Jess Simson and Braden Currie all have three wins to their names.

International winners have been rare with World Marathon Kayak Champion Australian John Jacoby the last foreigner to win the men’s event way back in 1993 and after also winning in 1988 and 1989, but back for his fourth crack at the event Hunt looms as this year’s race favourite after coming second last year behind Kiwi three time winner Sam Clark who is not defending his title this year.

The experienced Pretto completed the men’s podium last year coming home just 10 minutes behind fellow Australian Hunt, setting up an intriguing trans-Tasman battle in the men’s event with leading New Zealanders Dougal Allan and Sam Manson.

“It’s hands down my favourite race,” Hunt said. “The whole concept of racing from one side of a country to the other through incredibly stunning and difficult terrain is just brilliant. The 35 years of history counts for a lot too, there’s some true legends that’ve won the race in the past, people that you grew up almost idolising.”

The Kathmandu Coast to Coast is a ‘Rite of Passage’ and bucket list event for many active New Zealanders and multi-sport athletes from around the world and it is attracting increasing numbers of Australians with 57 individuals and 26 mainly two day tandem competitors entered this year in the Longest Day World Championship race and two day events.

“It really is so totally unique,” Hunt said. “The course, the people involved with the race, and the feeling of finally reaching New Brighton knowing the biggest thing to deal with is finding some decent fish and chips, a couple of beers and a place to lie down.”

After three efforts that includes a third as well as last year’s runner up result Hunt knows what it takes to perform well at his favourite race.

“Having raced it three times definitely makes a difference and I think you learn the most from the first one. Each year you fine tune a few things, so maybe this year it’ll all run nice and smoothly. I guess following Sam (Clark) to the top of the Goats Pass last year gave me a really good appreciation of how fast you can run it if you know what you’re doing.”

Reluctant to talk up his chances of winning Hunt says it’s harder to predict how the racing will go this year without a past winner on the start line.

“The past three races have seen Sam and Braden (Currie) when he was there, both really take control of the race. Not only are they incredibly strong athletes, they’re pretty strong personalities and they tended to make sure everyone else followed what they wanted to do.”

Hunt has not raced since being part of the winning team in the prestigious Wulong Mountain Quest adventure race China in September last year, but has trust in his training processes has says he has put the required effort in to be race ready in February.

“Winning Wulong last year was pretty special,” Hunt said. “At the start of my career there were probably three races I dreamt of winning; my local multi-sport race the Freycinet Challenge, Wulong and of course the Kathmandu Coast to Coast, so at the moment the balance is two out of three.”

To win the Coast to Coast Hunt knows he needs the prefect day which requires nailing the run and all of its technical features and being strong in the kayak while being conscious of saving enough energy to and try and hold off the other strong contenders on the final bike leg.

He is stoked to see more Australians competing in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast, saying he thinks it’s become more accessible under new ownership and the direction of previous race Director Richard Ussher.

“Since Richard took over the race it’s become more accessible for Aussies. He really made it a more approachable race for internationals with things like course marking. Kathmandu’s involvement has been pretty important, they’re a big brand in Australia and promote the race pretty hard over here which is great.”

Surf ironman legend Guy Andrews, Professional athlete Leela Hancox from Brisbane who specialises in cross triathlon and was 12th at last year’s Xterra World Championship and experienced adventure racer Tim Boote are other notable Australian entries in the one day event.

Inspirational burns survivor and ultramarathon competitor Turia Pitt is doing the event’s tough mountain run, a further example that the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is fast becoming a must do event for more and more Australian endurance athletes.

The Coast to Coast, which filled up this year at its earliest point in 14 years, gets underway with the two day event on Friday February 8 while the Longest Day World Championship one day event is held on the following day.

Photo credit:

1) Marathon-Photos.com; Australian multi-sport athlete Alex Hunt is leading the charge to be the first multi-sport athlete from Australia to win the Kathmandu Coast to Coast longest day world Championship men’s event in 26 years.

Four time winner Ussher still motivated for fourteenth Kathmandu Coast to Coast in a row

colm@mthuttdigital.co.nz (Colm McGrath) — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 21:40:07 GMT

Four time winner of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day World Championship women’s race Elina Ussher is lining up for her fourteenth race in a row, just as motivated and excited as she was in 2006.

Ussher is still one of world’s best adventure and multi-sport athletes and the Finnish-born Nelson resident and former Adventure Racing World Champion has not missed a Coast to Coast since her 2006 debut when she came second to Canadian turned Kiwi Emily Miazga.

The 42 year old says she is looking forward to racing and challenging her limits again on the 9th of February when the one day event starts off on Kumara beach on the South Island’s West Coast and heads over the Southern Alps and down the Waimakariri River to finish at New Brighton in Christchurch.

She was the first of the leading female contenders to enter this year for February’s 2019 race. Heading into this year’s event had the added challenge of running a new business with husband and five time winner of the men’s one day event and former race Director Richard Ussher, leaving her a little unhappy with the race result.

“We started the new business on the 21st of December 2017 and we had all the extra stress as new business owners so my preparation was not as good with so much going on and I didn’t feel very good on the day, so I really want to try and do some things better leading into 2019 event. I’m really hoping to be able to have an enjoyable build up and a great race day out there.”

Ussher thinks finishing in top three is a realistic goal and the focus on having a great day does not mean she has to win her fifth title.

“In a race like the Coast to Coast everything needs to go perfectly to have a great result” Ussher said. “It would be awesome to have that feeling that I don’t have anything left at the finish, and that I couldn’t have done anything more. Just having that feeling will mean I had a good build up and I’m happy with how I managed to race on the day.”

Ussher has won many of the world’s top multi-sport and adventure races, including the Adventure Racing World Championships and the Abu Dhabi Adventure Racing Challenge, an event were she was part of the winning team four times alongside husband Richard, but the race across the South Island holds a special place in her heart.

“The Kathmandu Coast to Coast is the Multisport World Championship so winning means that you have achieved the biggest possible individual title in multisport as Adventure Racing is team racing and team work. You race as a team with three great individual athletes and celebrate your result as a team rather than an individual.”

“It’s a big change now that Richard is not that involved in training and racing any more as he is really busy with running our new Cable Bay Adventure Park business,” Ussher said. “As it is our own business I still have the opportunity to work less and focus more on my training and racing when needed but it’s fair to say I sometimes miss those days when we were both pro athletes as I now sometimes feel almost a little lonely without Richard being involved in multisport much at all.”

A trip home to Finland during the New Zealand winter also saw some adventure racing in China, a chance for the former competitive cross country skier to learn alpine downhill skiing and she added weight training to her training programme for the first time.

“Traveling to China for some team adventure racing was a full on trip as I did 24 hour race, a two day mountain bike stage race, a three hour multisport race and a four day stage race all in two weeks. The whole trip was just an unforgettable experience including racing with a new team and new team mates from Hungary, Czech Republic and Sweden - it was once in the life time experience.”

Ussher says her biggest challenge to winning another Coast title are the growing number of young strong girls capable of running away from her. “The competition is always hard with so many young talented girls that go so well now and at age 42 I’m not a hundred percent sure what I can get out of myself even if everything goes perfectly well.'”

“This year’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast sounds like it’s going to be a huge event. I still love what I do and I still like to challenge myself and the Coast to Coast is the biggest multi-sport event in the world it’s here in New Zealand so I feel privileged to still have the opportunity to compete and to be a part of the great event. It’s a stunning race course and the views never disappoint you.”

Ussher was also keen to support Glen Currie who took the Race Director’s leadership reigns off her husband Richard after this year’s event.

“I really want to support Glen in his first year running the event and it also means I’ve competed in the event with all three Race Directors, Robin Judkins, Richard and now Glen, and that’s pretty cool.”

Currie is happy to have Ussher racing again next year clearly remembering her first words to husband Richard when she crossed the finish line this year being, “Can I race again next year”?

“Elina is arguably one of world’s most successful female endurance racers, with multiple wins in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast, as well as a number of wins in team endurance racing all over the world. Elina’s passion for racing is always evident and we are ecstatic to have the Kiwi-Fin on the start line of the World Multisport Champs again in February 2019”

Photo credit:

Marathon-Photos.com

New dad McCaw set to go Coast to Coast

colm@mthuttdigital.co.nz (Colm McGrath) — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 21:45:32 GMT

New dad Richie McCaw has signed up for Februarys Kathmandu Coast to Coast where he and long term friend and Adventure Racing team mate Rob Nichol will take on the Tandem Team Event.

The former All Black captain who has just had a daughter with former Black Stick hockey player Gemma McCaw, says being called an adventure racer doesn’t sit too comfortably with him just yet, has tackled a number of endurance sports events including Godzone since retiring from rugby and had a taste of the Coast to Coast in 2017 when he did the mountain run.

“I’m someone, Rob’s probably the same, you need a little goal to keep you training and something that gets you on edge a little bit and Coast to Coast is one of those iconic events that I’ve always wanted to do,” McCaw said.

“We just thought it might be good to do without putting too much pressure on yourself, like doing it on your own in one day, but by doing it together, I think it’s a great event to do that.”

With the new baby looming New Zealand’s most capped test rugby player of all time realised he may be consigned to a wind trainer and a treadmill close to home in the lead up to the event so with Nicholl has been racking up the kilometres through Goat Pass and kayaking the Waimakariri River alongside mentor Best Foot Forward’s Bob McLachlan.

“I’m so lucky and have learnt so much (from Bob), especially in the water, you know I was pretty novice kayaking and that, but he’s one of the best around.”

The change in format from the nonstop adventure racing is also something that McCaw feels will be a challenge in itself.

“I think it’s going to be different to perhaps the multiday where you’re able to keep a nice even pace for a long time,” he said. “This has got a bit more intensity to it, but I think you’ve got to be careful you don’t blow yourself out early and stuff like that so that’s the bit that will be really intruding, I’m really looking forward to it.”

The tandem event involves both competitors doing the entire course over two days together, staying within 50 metres of each other on the bike and run sections while paddling the Waimakariri River leg together in a double kayak.

The Kathmandu Coast to Coast, which filled up this year at its earliest point in 14 years, gets underway with the two day event on Friday February 8 while the Longest Day World Championship one day event is held on the following day with competitors cycling, running and kayaking 243 kilometres from Kumara Beach on the South Island’s West Coast to New Brighton beach in Christchurch.

Photo credit:

Marathon-Photos.com

McCaw heads over Goat Pass during the run in 2017 and is welcomed at the finish by Kathmandu Coast to Coast nine time winner and ambassador Steve Gurney.

Former world champ joins forces with Moa to take on Kathmandu Coast to Coast

colm@mthuttdigital.co.nz (Colm McGrath) — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 22:08:42 GMT

Former World Champion swimmer and Olympian Moss Burmester is teaming up with Moa to take on the biggest physical challenge of his life February’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day.

After tackling the Coast to Coast for the first time this year in a tandem team with his partner Carolyn Arthur the two-time Olympian and Commonwealth Games champion says he was quickly hooked on multi-sport and the event so wants to “step up the challenge to the ultimate level.”

“I just loved the event this year, not only the racing itself, but the journey of training and learning new skills and taking on new adventures,” Burmester said.

“When I swam professionally I was so fit and healthy I believed I could complete any event out there - even though I might have been a fish out of water – and now is my opportunity to step up and make it a reality.”

Burmester is partnering with Moa Beer, the official beer sponsor of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast, a partnership he says is a great natural fit.

“Moa has sponsored the New Zealand Olympic Team and has a real passion for the Ocean as I do, so there were some obvious connections but what really impressed me was their spirit to continually challenge themselves and strive to get better.”

“These traits are what drove me to my pool successes and although I'm now juggling my outdoor pursuits with work they are still the underlying reason why I have stepped up to the challenge of the Longest Day. The Coast to Coast Longest day has to be one of the biggest physical challenges out there and I can't wait to give it a go.”

Burmester plans to share his journey and build-up, including insights and learnings to help others set goals and be their best.

“The hope is to inspire and encourage others to step up and challenge themselves, regardless of what that is, as I know the sense of purpose and satisfaction you get from not just completing but the journey is hugely rewarding.”

Strategy & Marketing Director for Moa Stephen Smith said they were really proud to have the opportunity to support Moss on his latest incredible journey.

“We love seeing people enjoy the New Zealand outdoors and of course if that is also at our favourite event being the Kathmandu Coast to Coast then it’s even better. We will be toasting a Moa to Moss as he finishes the longest day and hopefully enjoying one with him as well”

The Kathmandu Coast to Coast gets underway with the two day event on Friday February 8 while the Longest Day World Championship one day event is held on the following day with competitors cycling, running and kayaking 243 kilometres from Kumara Beach on the South Island’s West Coast to New Brighton beach in Christchurch.

Photo credit:

Marathon-Photos.com

LIVE+ new energy behind Kathmandu Coast to Coast

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 22:12:14 GMT

The Kathmandu Coast to Coast is joining forces with New Zealand’s energy drink LIVE+

LIVE+ is the recently rebranded and relaunched energy drink that continues to provide maximum energy for New Zealanders.

“New Zealand is the perfect playground for adventure racing and as the LIVE+ brand was built to fuel such adventure, we’re excited to partner with the perfect event, The Kathmandu Coast to Coast,” Monster Energy Marketing Director Tim Ryder said.

“To now be part of the Coast to Coast event is a natural move for us and we are excited about partnering with New Zealand’s most iconic race.”

Kathmandu Coast to Coast Event Director Glen Currie said the LIVE+ energy for adventure brand was a great fit for the event. “It ties in really well with everything the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is about,” he said. “The LIVE+ brand is all about getting outdoors to explore and experience everything New Zealand has to offer so it’s exciting to have them on board.”

LIVE+ is available in three flavours, Persist is the original Lift Plus, Ignite is the next evolution of Lift Plus Green and Ascend is the sugarfree LIVE+ flavour.

Photo credits:

Kathmandu Coast to Coast Kathmandu and LIVE+. Coast to Coast Event Director Glen Currie with a can of LIVE+, an energy drink that is a new sponsor of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

District Judge supports schools dream of competing in Kathmandu Coast to Coast

colm@mthuttdigital.co.nz (Colm McGrath) — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 22:14:42 GMT

PM shows support

Even the Prime Minister got behind a group of Porirua students bid for support to compete in February’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast.

Hutt Valley District court judge Arthur Tompkins has competed in various categories of the event six times and was inspired to reach out to Aotea College principal Kate Gainsford, who he went to university with 35 years ago, to suggest entering a team from the school.

“The principal was really enthused about the idea,” Tompkins said. “Something they thought perhaps couldn’t be done is now happening for four boys from Aotea College who are role models for finding a dream and following it.”

The students will all do one of the disciplines of the event each with Ryan Tait taking on the cycling, Tom Gibbs will do the mountain run and Swedish exchange student Axel af Klercker is the kayaker while Toby Devine is the kayaker in a staff team the College is also entering.

The school has been given a major boost as recipients of this year’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast Academy support package. They will receive entry into the event, Kathmandu training gear, a free camping spot at Kumara Junction for team members and support crew, support with specialist equipment, including a kayak and bike, support for Axel completing a grade-two kayaking course and coaching from nine time Kathmandu Coast to Coast winner Steve Gurney.

As part of their Kathmandu Coast to Coast Academy application Tompkins wrote to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who sent a video message of support and encouragement.

“To get her support was fantastic,” Tompkins said. “Winning the Academy package means so much as well. It’s really an affirmation that what they thought was an impossible dream is becoming very real and that they are worth supporting.”

The idea of competing in the event was floated at a school assemble three months ago with Tompkins very committed to mentoring the boys.

“They are so enthused about it and its really gathering momentum. It’s a real team effort and it’s going to be an amazing journey for everyone involved. I really wanted the boys to participate in an iconic event in stunning scenery that would really embrace the outdoors, so the Coast to Coast was obviously it”

Tompkins said the boys were all training well three to four times a week and he was hoping the two kayakers would be able to make it down to Canterbury to compete in the Rasdex Classic River Race on Saturday 8 December, an event that is on the same course as the 67 kilometre kayak leg of the Coast to Coast.

Kathmandu Coast to Coast Event Director Glen Currie said Schools Academy was all about providing school groups that wouldn’t normally have access to an event like the Coast to Coast an opportunity to compete and be supported along the way.

“We are committed to growing participation from schools and younger aged competitors, within endurance sport” Currie said. “Reaching out to young people and enabling them to participate and experience the joys of endurance sport as they choose their sporting pathways in life means there’s a good chance they could make these activities a part of their lifestyle and go on to develop a passion for both endurance exercise and events. Plus benefitting from the proven health benefits that come with this.”

The Kathmandu Coast to Coast is also supporting Cameron Young, who is competing in a three person team, through the Adult Academy. Young is competing to raise funds and awareness for Crohn’s & Colitis NZ.

The Aotea College team will compete in the New Zealand Secondary Schools Sports Council sanctioned Coast to Coast Schools Two Day team three person teams event.

The Kathmandu Coast to Coast gets underway with the two day event on Friday February 8 while the Longest Day World Championship one day event is held on the following day.

The 35 year old event is full at its earliest point in fourteen years with record breaking numbers with February’s event set to eclipse 2004’s largest field ever of 920 competitors across both teams and individuals.

Photo credit:

NZ Herald/Mark Mitchell Aotea College has been given a major boost as recipients of this year’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast Academy support package. Mentor Judge Arthur Tompkins with Toby Devine (left) the kayaker in the staff team, while Axel af Klercker, Tom Gibbs and Ryan Tait will compete as the Aotea College school team.

Regional sporting trust rivalry lighting up Kathmandu Coast to Coast corporate challenge

colm@mthuttdigital.co.nz (Colm McGrath) — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 22:28:46 GMT

The challenge of “walking the talk” by competing as a team in February’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast issued over a month ago by Sport Canterbury has been taken on by the country’s southernmost regional sports trust.

Sport Canterbury CEO Julyan Falloon challenged local councils and regional sporting organisations to enter a corporate team in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast in a bid to foster local and regional rivalry and the call was heard loud and clear in the offices of Sport Southland.

“We were really excited to be challenged by the team at Sport Canterbury to do the Kathmandu Coast to Coast,” Sport Southland chief executive Brendon McDermott said.

“We were keen to take on the corporate challenge and there’s a bit of good banter happening about the office and between the two organisations and we’ve got massive support from our wider colleagues, friends and the team at Sport Southland, so I look forward to the best sports trust winning in February.”

Sport Canterbury CEO Julyan Falloon said his team were “excited and committed” to the challenge of the event and taking on their southern sporting trust colleagues. “It’s already made a huge impact around the office,” he said.

“We work really closely with our friends at Sport Southland on a number of fronts, so were thrilled they took up the challenge and it’s only going to motivate us even more with the training and preparation over the next three to four months.”

Falloon said that as the Regional Sports Trust for the Canterbury West Coast region, everything the organisation did has a focus on getting and keeping people engaged with sport and physical activity, so getting involved in such an iconic event as the Kathmandu Coast to Coast was a chance to remind organisations across the region what a great impact being active has on mental as well as physical wellbeing.

“Entering a team also inspires much wider support,” he said. “It isn’t only about us as the ones competing, but the team element also pulls in work colleagues, friends and family who get engaged and involved in the lead up and event as well.”

The Corporate Challenge Event sees a three person team competing in the two day event splitting up the cycling, running and kayaking. At least two members of the team must be full time employees of the company leaving room for one ring in if required.

“We see the event as a great team-building exercise and example of encouraging staff to set goals around their own sport, recreation and wellbeing,” Falloon said.

As far as predicating which Sports Trust would cross the finish line first Falloon was quick to point out he thought he’d get the better of McDermott over the 30.5 kilometre mountain run giving him the ability to build a winning lead heading into the kayak and final bike legs.

“Well, we’ll see about that on the day won’t we,” McDermott quipped.

Turia Pitt announces return to competitive events as new ambassador for ‘Kathmandu Coast to Coast’

colm@mthuttdigital.co.nz (Colm McGrath) — Tue, 09 Oct 2018 22:30:41 GMT

Australia, Melbourne: The spirit, endurance and heroism of Australian humanitarian and athlete, Turia Pitt is a story that continues to inspire millions. In February 2019, Pitt will return to competitive events at the iconic Kathmandu Coast to Coast as the latest ambassador for the global travel and adventure brand Kathmandu.

On behalf of the brand, she will compete in the world-renowed, multi-sport championship that transverses New Zealand’s South Island. The unique event will be Pitt’s first foray back in to the world of competitive events, just over a year after the birth of her son.

Pitt has entered the 30.5-kilometre Mountain Run challenge, and hopes her presence will encourage more women to consider competing in multi-sport competitions, especially one like the Kathmandu Coast to Coast, which caters to a variety of fitness levels with different race options.

“I’m stoked to be ambassador for Kathmandu’s Coast to Coast. Having a goal like this to work towards is really important, and I want other females and mums, and all Australians for that matter, to get to enjoy the confidence and resilience boosts that come from challenging yourself in new ways,” Pitt said.

Female entries in the 2019 Kathmandu Coast to Coast are up twenty percent on this year’s event, Kathmandu hopes Pitt’s participation will further boost this trend and help attract more Australians and New Zealanders to enter this iconic South Island challenge.

Kathmandu’s General Manager of Marketing, Paul Stern said, “Turia Pitt personifies Kathmandu’s values; integrity, determination and passion. We hope that Turia’s involvement will not only promote the Kathmandu Coast to Coast event internationally, but also inspire competitors of different ages and abilities to challenge themselves and participate in years to come.”

About Turia Pitt
Turia Pitt, Kathmandu ambassador for the 2019 Kathmandu Coast to Coast, is living proof that, with the right mindset, anything is possible. Caught in a grassfire while competing in a 100km ultramarathon in 2011, Turia suffered full thickness burns to 65% of her body. But surviving is the least of her achievements. One of Australia’s most admired and widely recognised people, Turia has gone on to become a bestselling author, mindset coach, two-time Ironman and humanitarian - raising well over a million dollars for not-for-profit Interplast Australia and New Zealand. Through her online presence, books and online programs, Turia has inspired millions to live with more confidence, drop their fears and smash epic goals.