Whanganui multisporter Aaron Cox has been well and truly bitten by the bug of entering the South Island's iconic Coast to Coast race after he won the Veteran Men's division last weekend.
After taking part for the first time in 2016 in the individual two-day race, where he came fourth in the Veteran (40-49) grade and ninth overall, Cox saddled up the for the 'Longest Day' version this year.
He won the veteran grade in 13 hours and 21 minutes, which was enough to finish 20th overall.
The gruelling event starts with a 3km run from Kumara Beach on the West Coast, before hopping on the bike for a 55km cycle to the foot of Goat Pass in Arthur's Pass national park.
Then it is back on foot for a 32km run across Doreen Creek and straight up the pass, followed by 55.5km down the valley to Klondyke Corner, which is where the two-race paused the day before.