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.