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