Coast to Coast race
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The Speights Coast to Coast is an 243km adventure race held annually in early February. As the name implies, the race traverses the South Island of New Zealand, from the West Coast (Tasman Sea), to the East Coast (Pacific Ocean). The coast-to-coast has three divisions: two-day (individual), two day (team), and The World Championship (individual, one day, previously referred to as The Longest Day).
[edit] Course
The course starts in the sea on Kumara Beach on the West Coast. From the sea, the first 3km are run, followed by a 55km bike leg into the heart of the Southern Alps. The next stage is a 33km mountain run up the Deception River, over Goat Pass to the East Coast, and down the Mingha River to the Waimakariri River. After a short 15km cycle, competitors reach the Waimakariri Gorge for a 67km whitewater kayak (Grade 2). The final leg is a 70km ride into Christchurch to finishe at Sumner Beach, and receive a can of Speights.
[edit] History
The first Coast to Coast was run in 1983, and was the brainchild of Robin Judkins, who has run the event ever since. The fastest ever completion of the course is 10 hours 34 minutes, by Keith Murray in 1994. Andrea Murray holds the women's record at 12h09min (1997). Multisport legend Steve Gurney of Christchurch has won the individual event 9 times.
