Beneath the mud, sweat, tears and high tech breathable layers on this year's Kathmandu Coast to Coast, behind the requisite mask of determination on the faces of participants, for some their story of getting to the start line is almost as rugged as the traverse they're about to make.
As spectators warm up our scrolling thumbs and eyelids, ready to be glued wide-eyed to screens… elite athletes prepare to smash the course, and their honed bodies into submission on the One Day race. Some will take less than 11 hours to pedal, run, and/or paddle between Kumara Beach on the West Coast of the South Island, over the Southern Alps, and across the Canterbury Plains to Brighton Beach.
Meanwhile, with equal tenacity, some of this year's first timers in particular, have climbed proverbial mountains of their own just to enter, let alone complete the two-day course.
This year there are more women and more young (high school age) competitors in the two day event than ever before. It's not by chance – the organisers at Kathmandu have tried hard to attract a more diverse field. Many have joined the fray through running clubs and the Kathmandu Summit Club; some are Kathmandu employees, and for many this journey is more than a massive physical and mental feat: It's a truly life-changing opportunity to discover a person they never knew was waiting behind the mirror.
Among the young competitors is a group of 12 students from quake-and-economy-battered Christchurch East, most of whom have never owned a bike let alone a kayak.
They'll line up next to New Zealand's first woman from the Cook Islands to be elected a Member of Parliament, and a women's rugby (and league)-playing social media champ ex Missouri, USA. For them it's not about big names and fast times; just that very Kiwi trait Kathmandu loves to get behind: stretching yourself to push through a door, or maybe a ceiling (or a 243km pain-fest), that some would never dare reach for.
Christchurch East MP Poto Williams has smashed more ceilings than your average politician, and has three very clear motivations in taking on the Coast to Coast: Firstly, it's about promoting her beloved community and the beauty of Brighton Beach as a location for outdoor events. The first time the finish line was set here, in 2013, Williams celebrated the moment for her community with friend, Christchurch City Councillor and regular Coast to Coast competitor Greg Livingston.
"Wouldn't it be great to have the local MP and a Councillor cross the finish line together," he challenged. Finally for 2018 (there were priorities, such as national elections, to fit in) Williams, a regular runner, met the challenge and made the time to train for the 2018 mountain run and the final cycling stage.
Mental wellbeing is the second driver. "Like many New Zealanders who have overcome depression, I know the close link between my physical wellbeing and mental wellbeing. I've run marathons, I like to stretch myself a little each time. That's not for everyone, but I recommend just getting out into the fresh air every day."
This brings Williams to her third motivation: Enabling young people in Christchurch East, which she considers still the worst affected by the 2011-12 Canterbury quakes, to get into the outdoors and test their limits. After completing the Coast to Coast she plans to donate her cycling gear to a young person to use in a future event.
A group of students from Linwood College know how important that gesture is. Members of the 2018 Coast to Coast Rangers, most of these teenagers have never owned a bike and might never have dreamed of lining up for the Coast to Coast, had Jess de Bont and Matt Mark not shown up at their school to inspire and convince them they could do it, with help.
"This is the third time we've supported high school students in the Coast to Coast, and the second time with Linwood College," explains Jess. A past competitor, Jess wanted to make it accessible for young people who might not otherwise have the opportunity, or the confidence or support to go for it.
Jess is well aware that the eight-month commitment to training is more than many teenagers could comprehend. "I'm blown away by these teens; even though they are from the same school they weren't necessarily friends, and each one has some challenges in life. They have pushed themselves more than some people will in a lifetime, often with very little support available outside this group and shown such respect for each other and for us coaches. They totally inspire me."
Thanks to generous individuals and sponsors, the Rangers receive free coaching, free entry into the event, and gifts or loans of essential gear, from t-shirts to kayaks. They've also had opportunities to meet and train with elite sports people like Lisa Carrington, Richie McCaw and Braden Currie. The programme makes a difference well beyond sports: Past Rangers who have gone on to greater personal achievements have returned as support crew.
For those not quite ready for the Coast to Coast this year, thankfully there are ways to enjoy some of the stunning locations at either end of the course.
Michelle Wong moved to New Zealand from Missouri in the USA four years ago to play rugby and league. She has taken up trail running and entered the Kathmandu Coast to Coast mountain run stage. "As a half back I'm used to running 20 or maybe 100 metres on flat grass on a rugby field, so trail running is a big change! Some colleagues were entering the Coast to Coast so I thought why not give it a crack with them – it's a really different challenge, and such an iconic event. I've come to love trail running – being outdoors, in beautiful scenery, its part hiking part running." Michelle's day job is with the Kathmandu social media team and she plans to post updates during the event.
Michelle has been training with the Salomon Kathmandu run club and as well as the benefit of experienced coaches she found it a great community. "There's a huge range of people, it's so much fun."
"The journey has been incredible, and I'm looking forward see how I will go. I'm not focussed on a fast time, it's just about all of us going at our own pace and enjoying nature."
Michelle's tip for beginners: good footwear is a must. "Make sure they're comfortable, the right fit, and a good grip. I started in my road shoes at first, and once I switched to proper footwear, it made a real difference – I had more confidence in the rough terrain."
Watch the 2018 Kathmandu Coast to Coast live here.
