Coast to Coast NZ, February 2021 An epic adventure

Coast to Coast NZ February 2021

The Coast to Coast NZ is a multi-sport event that starts in Kumara on the West Coast of the South Island and finishes at New Brighton Pier, Christchurch on the East Coast. There are a number of ways to enter from individual to tandem to team. It involves cycling, running and kayaking Earlier this year I was part of the support crew for a three person team competing in the two day event.

Hire Vehicle

A couple of days before the event we picked up our hire vehicle in Christchurch. We hired a camper from a company called McRent.highly recommend.Then it was off to Greymouth on the West Coast.  A beautiful part of the country however heading over Arthur’s pass was certainly an adventure from picturesque scenery to step grades in the pouring rain.

While the team members registered at the Westland Recreation Centre I checked out the local op shops, an art gallery and a few of the sights. It was then time to head to the Kumara race track where we stayed the first night.

 

Day 1

 

Friday morning dawned and it was time to get the show on the road. The event started at Kumara beach with a brief run of 2.2km to the first transition which was the start of the 55km cycle. Three of our support crew had gone ahead to Aickens Corner.  I waited at the race track watching as our cyclist went past and then waited for the runner to return (he had cycled to the beach).

We then headed to Aickens corner to pick up the cyclist while our second runner started the grueling 30.5km run over Goats pass. Then it was on to Klondyke corner to wait for the runner to come in. I think I’d rather be the driver and not have to run over all those boulders.

The first day was soon over and it was time to catch some sleep because we had an early start on day 2.

Day 2

The day started rather early with some of the support crew and the kayaker heading to Mt White Kayak transition. They had to be left from Klondyke Corner by 5am.

At 7.28am the cyclist rode the 15.5km to Mt White Kayak Transition and then had a short run down to the kayaker. The Kayak part of the race was 70km down the Waimakariri River. It was a day full of driving for this support person. Following the cyclist, picking him up and taking him to the next transition which was at Waimakariri River Gorge Bridge.

If you had been at the river you would have encountered an electric atmosphere with people cheering their team members on as they tried getting out of the kayak. Tried because after being in the kayak for some time its a bit of an effort getting out of the kayak. Our kayaker surprised us by coming in earlier than anticipated. After extracting himself from the kayak and hobbling across the rocks some help was needed from the support crew to take off the bib and the transponder. These where passed to the cyclist for the last leg of the race. The cyclist had a short run up a sharp incline grabbing his bike and then riding the 69.5 km to New Brighton Pier in Christchurch.

 

Huge crowds of course at the Pier cheering their teams and also individuals on to the finish line. And if they werent already exhausted  the finishers had to hop of their bikes and run on sand and up another step incline to the finish. And just like that the coast to coast nz was all over.

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