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
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“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.