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.”