Laurie Knowler 68, his son John 50, and grandson Josh 17, are the first three-generation team to line up in the event.

“It’s very special to be the first three generation team to attempt the Kathmandu Coast to Coast and hopefully complete it,” John said. “It’s good to be doing it with my dad and son before grandad and I are on Zimmer Frames and young Josh leaves the nest.”

John did the event in 2011 in a two man team where he experienced a gusty Kayak leg but finished it safely and loved it. Ankle injuries have prevented a solo effort so John is focused on the Kayak while Laurie, who has been a good runner in his day completing events likes of the Keplar Challenge mountain run a number of times, now enjoys mountain biking so will do the cycle legs leaving Josh to tackle the mountain run.

“It’s going to be great sharing it with the boys of the family,” John said. “We love the history of the event and the crossing of the mainland.  “Josh has been hitting the trails I have had a good bit of water time so training is going well, although grandad has a bad knee so the run to the bike will be slow and steady, but his riding training is going well.”

“The first adventure together as three generations was when we completed the 10 kilometre run at the Southland marathon together seven years ago when Josh was only 10 years old. We crossed the line together in a respectable 52 minutes.”

The family are from Invercargill but Laurie now lives in Clyde in Central Otago where he is semi-retired.

“It’s going to be a real family affair with dads’ wife, my wife and my two other children as our support crew, we can’t wait.”

The Kathmandu Coast to Coast two day event starts on Serpentine Beach near Kumara on the South Island’s West Coast on Friday February 8 with the Longest Day World Championship one day event held the following day.

Competitors traverse the width of the South Island, crossing the main divide reaching over 1000 metres above sea level, finishing on the East Coast in Christchurch at the Pier on New Brighton beach.

Image: supplied - John Knowler, who will be joined by his father Laurie and son Josh, make up the first three-generation team to line up in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast.