Crossing South Island at pace

Sam Manson leads the field over Goat Pass. Picture by Iain McGregor/Kathmandu Coast to Coast

WAIROA multisport athlete Sam Manson placed second in the Coast to Coast Longest Day event in the South Island at the weekend.

Manson led for most of the day. He had strong run and kayak legs as he sought to build a buffer before the cycle leg — the strongest discipline of Dougal Allan, the athlete he knew would be trying to reel him in.

Allan had been trailing Manson for over 10 hours when he passed him with 30 kilometres to go. He finished nine minutes and six seconds in front to win his second Coast to Coast title. His time was 11 hours 9 minutes 52 seconds.

Manson knew from split times that he was being chased down, but it was still “crushing” to watch Allan pass him.

“I dramatically ran out of energy,” he said.

“With 10km to go the concern was if I would make it to the finish line. I was going 15kmh, which is a third of the speed I should have been going, and was swerving all over the road.”

As a kayak guide on the rivers and having started coaching competitors, Manson knew the course inside-out. He felt that if he could build a substantial lead he could use his local knowledge to advantage.

“I know every rock, corner and rapid . . . and with my knowledge, I know a few shortcuts.”

He first raced the Coast to Coast in 2013 with the goal of winning the event. To get so close was bittersweet.

“It was an incredible feeling being at the front for so long. I couldn't see anyone behind me.”

The gruelling 243-kilometre race is known as the premier multisport event in the country.

Competitors start the day on the West Coast at Kumara Beach and run inland for 2.2km before biking to the foothills of the Southern Alps. They run 30.5km through off-trail rocky riverbeds and crossings with an elevation gain of 800 metres. It takes the best athletes nearly three hours to complete.

After the run comes another 15km on the bike, then a 70km kayak paddle out of the Southern Alps and on to the Canterbury Plains, where they get back on the bike and ride 70km to finish at the New Brighton Pier.

Two days after the race, Manson said “every single muscle” in his body still ached.

“I've done it a few times, but it doesn't make it any easier.”