I’ve always respected the reigning champion of the race to return and aim to defend the title. It makes for some great hype around the race and places a target on their back.

To show up and race again with the will to win took some adjustments in my thinking and approach, but something I knew I’d thrive on. To have the challenge of the extra pressure and expectations was something I knew would naturally lift my game.. Not to mention seeing Sam Clark having entered wasn’t enough! 

My thinking was based around proving to myself I could competitively race again at the front of the field with curiosity and no fear. To perform a style of racing with little measurement and be ambitious by racing by feel. 

My approach was to take the opportunity of racing some of the best endurance athletes in New Zealand and Australia. I trained with that approach all season and would remind myself often that it could be a once in a lifetime opportunity.. To be grateful of the chance to compete and potentially go as deep physically and mentally as I’ve ever been.. 

I worked with James Munro again and my build to Coast started in October.

5x a week in the kayak, 3-4 bike rides,  3-4 runs and 3x gym sessions.. Training was balanced between adventure tourism guiding, farm work and some coaching of other athletes.

The build went well. No major sickness or injuries and the sessions ticked over nicely. Spent a few days on course over the summer familiarising and training with friends.

Getting to the race still loving training and excited to race was a showcase that I really wanted to be there and a testament of my enjoyment to the sport. 

Thursday: Woodstock paddle in the morning, registration, elite athlete panel, briefing, then rest. 

Friday morning I went to watch the two day race start in Kumara.. Some exceptional athletes in this field as well as lots of friends and a couple athletes I’d coached racing in this. Awesome to follow and support! 

The rest of Friday was organising gear, easy training, then rest..

Race morning. Excited.. No nerves.. Just wanting to be there and looking forward to racing. Start line was good with many familiar faces. The thought of being in New Brighton that afternoon is a surreal feeling and something that only someone who has stood on the start line will experience. 243km of pure NZ rugged back country lying in front of us. I have huge respect to everyone that was standing there with me that morning! 

Race starts with a scramble up the rocks. Quick run and on to the bikes which started fast and then settled down.. It was raining but warm.. Noticeably, the guys that were there to race were doing most of the work at the front..

Off the bike and on to the run.. My approach was obvious hitting the run.. Straight to the front and run hard.. Through the first river crossing and I fell  flat on my face.. Knee was severely sore and cut open while also loosing a soft flask with 200g carbs in.. Leaving me with a total of 90g of carbs for a 3hr run.. I knew I’d be rationing my nutrition while knowing it would be nowhere near enough to keep me fueled.. I’d continue to race hard and just manage myself through to Klondyke.. 

Run was pretty epic.. It was slippery having no sun in the pass which didn’t make it feel fast.. Seemed to have moved well running in the Merrell Skyfire shoe from Kinisi Running. Cramp was being managed, and I did have to ease back  and run a little more conservatively later in the run.. I was extremely energy deficient and in a condition not ideal for that point of the race, but the show must go on.. Arriving to Klondyke under 2:57 would give me a 5min lead.. 

Middle ride was tough managing nutrition and cramp.. I’d promised myself I wouldn’t slow up because of my nutrition loss or use it as an excuse.. I would continue to stick to the fuelling plan and execute the race as planned. 

Run down to the kayak I still felt strong and was confident I could hold a solid river paddle together.. I got in as much nutrition in as I could take on early in the kayak.. I could feel I wasn’t ripping the paddle the way I’d assumed and I never really found a second wind.. My gut feeling was I would be loosing time, but knew it’d also be just as hard for everyone else.. I hit a wall just before Hamilton’s Rapid and I thought I was out of the race.. No power whatsoever.. Coca-Cola was my only hope but even trying to sip it down on a very empty energy system wasn’t doing much.. 

To be honest, it got tough.. I was completely empty.. 

The one thing that I remember doing at this point was drawing my thoughts on my friend Angus Grant and his family.. Angus  is currently fighting leukaemia and the challenges him and his family faces at the moment are far more important and difficult than what mine were.. This perspective was a realisation of how fortunate I actually was sitting there in my kayak completely spent, and it gave me a huge sense of inspiration thinking of how strong Angus and his family are.

Alex passed me - where I think I said “nice paddling mate” and a reply of “you all good?”.. 

I physically couldn’t respond, but decided to just keeping hanging in there.. To keep believing and just performing the best I could at the given time.. “Solid performance” is what I kept telling myself.. 

Out of the kayak, 2mins down on Alex.. 

Last ride hurt.. Body had taken a toll over the duration of the day.. Quite uncomfortable.. But there was only one way to the finish line..

Happy with another performance good enough to be on the podium. It really is character building and I feel I’ve grown so much after that day! Knowing I can dig a little deeper, control my thoughts, stay positive and finish with a smile.. 

I was overwhelmed with the support and messages after the race. Something that seems so small and effortless, actually is so much more! 

While my 2nd place may have looked like a failure to some people, or I may have been disappointed,  I definitely didn’t feel that way.. 

Over the last year, I was fortunate enough to explore New Zealand’s mountains and rivers, train with friends, attend events, meet new people, physically exhaust myself, recover, physically perform, mentally be tested, seek discomfort, fail, succeed, be disciplined, learn from others, advise others, be inspired, inspire, and grow as an athlete and person. All these contributors lead me to race competitively but also race for pure enjoyment and fun! I greatly value the experiences and friendships that are found in sport and what sport really provides is so much more than a result of a race.

Highlight of the weekend was visiting Angus and his family on Monday morning.

I’m excited to plan and share my 2025 racing calendar as well as expand my coaching platform, support others and give back to the sport. 

I look forward to seeing you all out there sometime 🙌