A major weather bomb bearing down on the South Island has forced organisers of the 44th Kathmandu Coast to Coast to activate an alternative mountain run route for the two-day event — marking just the sixth course change in the race’s 44-year history.

With heavy rain and high river flows forecast to impact the Southern Alps and Arthur’s Pass region, officials have confirmed the iconic Goat Pass crossing will be replaced with a challenging highway and trail-based alternative, re-routing competitors up and over the Otira Viaduct.

Race Director Glen Currie said the decision was not taken lightly, but conditions across the alpine section did not meet safety requirements.

“Unfortunately tomorrow that hasn’t met our requirements in terms of putting people over the Southern Alps. So, we are going to the next Plan B, which requires athletes to run over the viaduct tomorrow in the two-day Coast to Coast. The nature of the Coast to Coast is that we actually pass over the Southern Alps of New Zealand.”

Under the contingency plan, the 31 km mountain run will follow the farm track from Aickens to Deception Footbridge as per the traditional route. From there, instead of heading into Deception Valley and over Goat Pass, competitors will turn onto State Highway 73, running from Deception Footbridge to the Lake Misery Track entrance.

Athletes will then enter Lake Misery Track, link onto the Dobson Nature Track, cross at Jack’s Hut, and follow the Bridal Veil Track to the Devils Punchbowl footbridge. After crossing, they will skirt the northern side of Arthur’s Pass township, cross via the Rough Creek pedestrian bridge, and then rejoin State Highway 73 through to Klondyke Corner.

The re-route takes competitors up and over the exposed Otira Viaduct before descending toward the Klondyke transition area — presenting a different, but no less demanding, alpine challenge.



Despite the late course change, the elite fields promise a compelling battle on Saturday’s longest day race.