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.”