Coast to Coast
Based in the rugged South Island, the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is an iconic annual event that sees thousands of athletes cross the island on foot, on road bikes and in kayaks.
It is one of the world's longest running multisport events and was founded in 1983.
The race course starts on the West Coast, at Kumara Beach and traverses the width of the South Island, crossing the main divide and finishing on the East Coast. In 2019, the finish line will be at the pier on New Brighton Beach in Christchurch.
The Coast to Coast has become almost a right of passage for multisport athletes from around the world, with over 18,000 people having completed the event since it first started.
There are two options for athletes: The One Day race for top athletes who complete the course in close to 11 hours as part of the World Multi-Sport Championship; or the Two Day race which takes closer to 24 hours and is spread across two days with an overnight camp at the end of stage three.
There are six stages that cover the vast and difficult terrain of the South Island from the West Coast to the East Coast:
Stage 1: 2.2km Run
Stage 2: 55km Cycle
Stage 3: 30.5km Mountain Run
Stage 4: 15.5km Road Cycle / 1km Run
Stage 5: 70km Kayak / 400m Run
Stage 6: 69.5km Cycle
Total distance: 244.1km
Subaru is proud to be the official vehicle supplier for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast in 2019, where three Subaru vehicles will be used as official lead and tail cars to follow the athletes throughout the event.
Subaru of New Zealand Managing Director Wallis Dumper says, "It is a natural fit to have Subaru vehicles as part of the Coast to Coast, as the kind of terrain the athletes compete in is exactly what our vehicles are made for. The race epitomises what our brand is about - enabling Kiwis to access the great outdoors safely. We also have history with the event, when we helped nine-time event winner Steve Gurney over his 17-year sponsorship period with our brand."
Coast to Coast Race Director Richard Ussher says, “The Kathmandu Coast to Coast is proud to have Subaru NZ on board, to support with vehicles for the 2019 event. Subarus are true multi-discipline vehicles - much like our competitors in the race, so while they’re on foot, bike or kayak - off the beaten track, it’s a great to know there is a Subaru perfectly suited to ensuring their support and equipment can travel to wherever the next transition may be.”
In 2019, the Coast to Coast will be held on 8-9th February.
Find out more about the Kathmandu Coast to Coast here: http://www.coasttocoast.co.nz
Top Tips with Subaru and Braden Currie!
Subaru Brand Ambassador and 3x Coast to Coast winner Braden Currie took Coast competitor Zara Taylor out to answer some of your questions for how to tackle this iconic multisport event. Check out Braden's top tips in the videos below!
