Webinars for Coast to Coast

The 30th anniversary of NZ's legendary race celebrates with webinairs

Published: November 11, 2011 at 9:14 am

This year, the world’s longest-running multisport event – Speight's Coast to Coast – launches its 30th anniversary celebrations with a series of webinars designed to inspire and educate endurance enthusiasts worldwide.

Judkins’ fervour for his 243km cycle, mountain run and kayak race across the South Island is legendary, but it starts even earlier this year with the new webinar series presented by Speight’s, the principal sponsor of the Coast to Coast since 1989.

“The webinar series is a brilliant concept,” says Judkins. “It will help people new to the Speight’s Coast to Coast enjoy the challenge, while also inspiring and educating those who aren’t quite sure if they are up to it.”

Incorporating six online seminars between 15 November and 31 January, the webinars will cover everything you ever wanted to know about the Speight’s Coast to Coast. Presented by 12-time finisher and author Kelly Barber, special guests will include nine-time winner Steve Gurney and Race Director Robin Judkins himself.

Hosted at www.speights.co.nz, content will vary from training, nutrition and equipment, to course descriptions, tips and tall tales from 30 years of the event that kick-started multisport and adventure racing.

Established in 1983, the Speight’s Coast to Coast is the world’s longest-running multisport event.

Starting on Kumara Beach on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, it races 243km across the South Island via a 3km run, 55km road cycle, 33km mountain run, 15km road cycle, 67km white water kayak and 70km road cycle, to finish on the East Coast of the South Island at Sumner Beach in Christchurch.

Participants, who race either solo or in two-person teams, cover the route either in the One Day race, which is recognised as the World Multisport Championship, or in a more recreational Two Day race, complete with overnight camp on Arthur’s Pass in the Southern Alps.

The 30th anniversary 2012 Speight’s Coast to Coast is scheduled for 10 and 11 February, and Judkins says the Canterbury earthquakes will not affect what has become an iconic Kiwi challenge.

For more details go to www.coasttocoast.co.nz.