KELLY RANDALL #1279
This was my 4th Coast to Coast, the first one was in 1996 with my sister as part of a Two Day team, and then for the past three years. Its always been a family affair, my Dad, his brothers and friends competed in the very first Coast to Coast so I just grew up being part of the event and always wanted to complete it. I also had a milestone birthday three years ago so thought it was time to do it again!
I have only relatively recently started running in the last 3-4 years, and I just love it now and am too scared to stop! According to my running buddy I like a little race bling… so if there’s a race with a medal I’ll be there.
This year I competed in the Three Person Mixed Veteran Two Day team event with my uncle Rex – who made a comeback after 42 years! He was in the very first event, and my cousin Mike who has also completed it around four times too. So a very special family team with awesome family support at the finish line on Day 1 cheering us on.
The last three years I have done the mountain run, its certainly not an easy run but I love the challenge, environment and the other participants you meet along the way on race day. My favourite would be the kayak which I did in 1996, but haven’t mustered up the courage to do that again!
My fuel for this event was PURE sports nutrition gels and the electrolyte hydration – fab products. I’m coeliac so always a little more tricky with carb loading. Despite the fact I always try and fuel well, I havent mastered this aspect of ultras yet, I seem to carry more food with me than eat during the event.
My advice for anyone thinking of entering the Coast to Coast is to just do it. Its everything and more than you think, I have already entered the ballot for 2026!
Next up for me is the Paris marathon in 7 weeks time! I’m running for Samaritans Charity so really looking forward to being there and meeting the other charity runners!
I am really loving the Elevate Fitness gym, I haven’t been to one for decades and its been soo easy and low key for me to start up again, so thank you!
YURI VAN DEN BONGARD #774
I had a difficult start to 2025. My dad suffered a stroke and I lost my Opa, who meant a lot to me. Just a week after his funeral, when the entry for Coast to Coast opened, I decided to challenge myself and entered the ballot, in the Two Day Individual event.
I went from couch to Coast in approximately six months. It was challenging, especially while battling long-term ankle injuries. But with support from Elevate Fitness and Coach Nat, I focused on strengthening despite these setbacks.
Kayaking was definitely my favorite leg of the race. Although I was initially unsure about how it would go since it was a new discipline for me, I ended up focusing on kayaking for most of my training. After completing Grade II, I hit the river almost every week. Completing several trips down the Gorge and through the Woodstock sections. During the race, I felt comfortable and in control the whole time, even though the river was very low. I saw a few swimmers and even some broken boats along the way, but I managed to navigate down without any swims. Although my kayak did pick up some damage that needed a bit of duct tape to keep me moving. Overall, it was a lot of fun!
For fuel I relied on Pure nutrition, in particular race fuel and electrolytes were essential, along with muesli bars, stroopwafels, OSM bars, Clif blocks and candies to keep me going!
If you are considering a multisport event, I would definitely recommend Coast to Coast. It’s a unique, iconic New Zealand event with a rich history. You will meet people of all ages and backgrounds, all sharing the same goal of finishing. The support and camaraderie are incredible, an atmosphere you really have to experience.
I haven’t decided what is next on the events calendar, but it might be a half ironman, or an ultra somewhere. Perhaps even a team adventure race that combines various sports sounds exciting! I’m open to suggestions!
I would absolutely enter the Coast to Coast again, the atmosphere, the experience, the people, it was all very special. I am determined to come back, beat my two-day individual time, and maybe even try a one-day event before my next milestone birthday!
I have learned that Coast to Coast is known by several nicknames but one of which is “Cost to Cost.” While entering is easy, as a first timer I found that the extra equipment and training costs more than expected. I’m happy to support others who want to take on Coast to Coast and help them prepare.
