Taradale sweet success

From left Taradale High School students Tom Webb, Mikayla Mead, Matt Durrant, Klayten Betts, Dylan Sherwood and Abby Macredie.

Taradale High School dominated the podium at one of the most gruelling multisport events in the country.

Three teams took the top three spots in the schools two day tandem section at the weekend's Coast to Coast.

The eight senior students completed the 243km course made up of 33km running, 140km biking and 70km kayaking.

Zayne Jennings, 17, and Matt Durrant, 16, were the first to cross the line in 15 hours and 52 minutes in the schools tandem section and 12th in the men's pair overall.

"After training for so long we still weren't sure we could complete such an event, let alone a podium finish," Matt said.

"The feeling at the finish was unreal, even though we were physically exhausted you couldn't help but smile knowing you had raced from one side of the country to the other," Zayne said.

Tom Webb and Dylan Sherwood were 2nd with Kaya Shlomi and Abby Macredie 3rd with Taradale High School taking out the 3 top spots.

"What a blast, didn't think it was possible," Abby said.

The 4th team, Klayten Betts and Mikayla Mead came across the line with a respectable time.

"I'm not tired, I'm shattered," Klayten said.

Abby, Kaya and Mikayla were the only female students to attempt the race.

"Awesome to have a sport where you can see different parts of New Zealand with an amazing bunch of people," Kaya said.

Hawke's Bay was also represented at the event with Phil Dooney, a teacher from Taradale High School, who placed 2nd in the men's veteran category and 5th overall in the Men's two day individual event.

Ali Hollington was 1st in the women's classic two day individual event and Bill Turvey 2nd in the men's vintage two day individual event.

Zayne summed up the event saying it was: "the hardest race mentally and physically, but also was the most rewarding knowing we had completed such a crazy event".