Cox goes Coast to Coast

Aaron Cox

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.

Competitors then have a 15km bike ride to the banks of the Waimakariri River to begin the 137km kayak race down into Canterbury, before getting back on the bike for the final 120km leg into the outskirts of Christchurch city, before reaching the finishline on the Pier at New Brighton Beach.

Cox said the conditions were quite good for the race after a few days rain, although there was a slight head wind to overcome on the river and final bike ride to take away some of the speed.

Fellow Whanganui competitors Gareth Wright and Josh Barnett entered the Open (18-39) longest day race.

Wright would finish 31st (13h 56m) and Barnett would come in 48th (14h 36m).

This year's race was notable for the presence of retired All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and new wife Gemma Flynn, who entered the two day race.

Organisers have been trying to rebuild the prestige of the race and its falling entry numbers for a number of years, and Cox said it definitely appeared the field was larger than 2016.

Loving to race through the "beautiful scenery", he will check with the family if it is ok to do the race next year, committing to training and financially for another 12 months.

The men's and women's longest day races were both won by defending champions Sam Clark and Elina Ussher.