Braden Currie is looking forward to returning to Mount Maunganui next year and moving up one place to the top of the winner's podium.
The 27-year-old from Wanaka, who has won back-to-back Coast to Coast titles, finished the Port of Tauranga Half in second place on Saturday after taking third spot last year.
"I knew if today was going to be my day then I had to take all the chances," Currie said.
"I knew it was going to be a tough race and I have never raced someone like Craig [Alexander] before so it was awesome to line up alongside him and push him hard."
Currie was particularly pleased with his swim leg at Pilot Bay.