Multisports: Walker set to defend gruelling race title

Gordon Walker says it's a fight against terrain as much as it is against other people. Photo / Getty Images

Defending champion Gordon Walker is perfectly placed to assess the opposition ahead of tomorrow's gruelling Coast to Coast multisport challenge.

Despite having had a somewhat low-key build-up this year, Walker goes into this year's race as the man to beat: over the last five years, he hasn't finished outside the top two.

And although the 37-year-old Aucklander won't be drawn into naming names as he eyes the opposition lining up for the prestigious title, he does admit to having a very good idea as to where the challenges may surface.

As an exercise physiologist, Walker said, he coaches "most of the guys I'm racing at the moment", including last year's third placegetter Dwame Farley (Mt Maunganui) and Taupo's Cameron Durno.

Walker has also been helping Richard Ussher, a former Coast to Coast winner, as he makes the transition to triathlons.

But tomorrow, when the 243km Coast to Coast winds its way from Kumara Beach on the West Coast to Sumner Beach at Christchurch, Walker's opposition could come from anywhere.

"There's probably about eight to 10 guys who I think are going to be very, very close to one another," Walker said yesterday. "It's hard to name names, because you might pick the wrong guy.

"There's a couple of dark horses in there who are going to throw the other guys out for sure. You just don't know how someone's going to react on the day, and you don't know the preparation they've put in."

Walker's own preparation has been somewhat less orthodox than in recent years and, apart from a couple of team races, he hasn't competed since last year's Coast to Coast.

"I didn't ride a bike for about seven months, and I didn't do much running either," Walker said. " I had a pretty long break and didn't really decide to do the race again until about a month or so ago."

The addition of second daughter Lola to the Walker family on December 20 focused his attention somewhat after the extended break, and now Walker is eager to once again test himself over the punishing Coast to Coast terrain.

"This is the first year I've really had a proper rest from things, usually I've just carried right on through. I did have a pretty limited build-up, but I've enjoyed what I've done and hopefully I'll be in the right condition on the day.

"I was pretty strict with my time - if you've got a bit more time, you tend to do a bit more but if you've got a bit less, you tend not to waste it."

Among those gunning for Walker's title will be last year's surprise runner-up Trevor Voyce, who hadn't raced a Coast to Coast since finishing 12th in 2004. He finished a distant second to Walker, nearly 31 minutes behind, but is expected to feature prominently again tomorrow.

Others pinpointed by race director Robin Judkins as worth watching include youngsters Carl Bevins and Dougal Allan, seventh and eighth respectively last year, and Christchurch's Jacob Roberts, who finished fourth in 2008 but missed last year's race through injury.

Walker's focus, however, remains on himself and the 243km between Kumara and Sumner.

"I love this course, the terrain. It's about the fight against the terrain as much as it is against other people. I know the physical side of things is important, but it's not the winning and losing of the race.

"From now on, it's about what you decide to do on the day. That mental side is really important."

- NZPA