The Coast to Coast is one of the world’s longest and leading multi-sports events, running from one side of the South Island to the other.
Held every February, the race course starts on the South Island’s West coast, at Kumara beach and traverses the width of the island, crossing the main divide and finishing at the Pier on New Brighton beach, Christchurch on the East Coast, featuring running cycling and kayaking elements over the total of 243km.
This year saw a great depth of competitors, with close to 1,000 competitors across the different sections to suit all those from the professional athletes to the weekend warriors. Amongst the 1,000 competitors was a number of Ray White Members. Ray White One Tree Hill General Manager Martin Honey and colleague Ben Bibby entered as a two person team. First time competing in this event, Martin completed the 2.2k run, 55k bike and 70km kayak then passing over to Ben who did the long 33km run traversing over the rocks and rivers, then to jump on the bike 70km to the finish line, finishing in 14:24:07 hours – 8th in their category and 11th overall.
Martin and Ben trained for months leading into this event, plenty of 5am training before team meetings and open homes. Both Martin and Ben said ‘it was a tough challenge, but liked the pain’, they’ve both signed up for competing next year as well as competing in a 100km cycle next month.
Left photo – Ben Bibby – Right photo – Martin Honey
Ray White Raglan entered a three-person team, comprising of Salespeople Graham Rope, Blair Hanna, and Julie Hannas personal assistant’s husband, Nathan Timoko.
One year ago over a beer, Blair and Nathan decided they needed to get in shape, so they formed a team and started training. Graham completed the cycle, Nathan the running section and Blair the kayak and individual run as he wanted to support Nathan during the run section of the race. The team’s official finishing time was 18:04:34 – 11th in their category and 47 overall.
Graham is an avid cyclist, while Blair and Nathan put the hard yards in training, applying themselves which inspired people around them and certainly motivated fellow team member Graham.
Graham said, ‘the event was so much fun, so many like minded people taking part. I was inspired by finishing it and having fun while doing so. We live such busy lives and to do something different was rewarding’.
The inspiration and enjoyment from this event have seen Blair consider competing in next year’s Coast to Coast individually, as well as Nathan and Graham entering a team again, only now they are looking for a new team member to take Blair’s spot – could this be you?
Left photo – Graham Rope, Blair Hanna, and Nathan Timoko – Right photo – Blair at the end of the kayak