The challenge of “walking the talk” by competing as a team in February’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast issued over a month ago by Sport Canterbury has been taken on by the country’s southernmost regional sports trust.

Sport Canterbury Chief Executive Julyan Falloon challenged local councils and regional sporting organisations to enter a corporate team in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast in a bid to foster local and regional rivalry and the call was heard loud and clear in the offices of Sport Southland.

Check out this interview: video clip

“We were really excited to be challenged by the team at Sport Canterbury to do the Kathmandu Coast to Coast,” Sport Southland chief executive Brendon McDermott said. 

“We were keen to take on the corporate challenge, and there’s a bit of good banter happening about the office and between the two organisations and we’ve got massive support from our wider colleagues, friends and the team at Sport Southland, so I look forward to the best sports trust winning in February.”

Sport Canterbury CE Julyan Falloon said his team were “excited and committed” to the challenge of the event and taking on their southern sporting trust colleagues. “It’s already made a huge impact around the office,” he said.

“We work really closely with our friends at Sport Southland on a number of fronts, so were thrilled they took up the challenge and it’s only going to motivate us even more with the training and preparation over the next three to four months.”  

Falloon said that as the Regional Sports Trust for the Canterbury West Coast region, everything the organisation did has a focus on getting and keeping people engaged with sport and physical activity, so getting involved in such an iconic event as the Kathmandu Coast to Coast was a chance to remind organisations across the region what a great impact being active has on mental as well as physical wellbeing. 

“Entering a team also inspires much wider support,” he said. “It isn’t only about us as the ones competing, but the team element also pulls in work colleagues, friends and family who get engaged and involved in the lead up and event as well.”

The Corporate Challenge Event sees a three person team competing in the two day event splitting up the cycling, running and kayaking. At least two members of the team must be full time employees of the company leaving room for one ring in if required.

“We see the event as a great team-building exercise and example of encouraging staff to set goals around their own sport, recreation and wellbeing,” Falloon said.

As far as predicating which Sports Trust would cross the finish line first Falloon was quick to point out he thought he’d get the better of McDermott over the 30.5 kilometre mountain run giving him the ability to build a winning lead heading into the kayak and final bike legs.

“Well, we’ll see about that on the day won’t we,” McDermott quipped.

Photo credit: Kathmandu Coast to Coast; Sport Southland have taken up Sport Canterbury’s challenge to do the corporate teams two day event in the Kathmandu Coast to Coast. Facing off before a training run in Christchurch’s Port Hills are the two organisations CEO’s Brendon McDermott (left) and Julyan Falloon.

About the Kathmandu Coast to Coast

The Kathmandu Coast to Coast is an iconic multisport event based in the South Island of New Zealand. Held every February the race starts on the West Coast at Kumara beach and traverses the width of the South Island, crossing the main divide where competitors reach over 1000 metres above sea level, finishing on the East Coast in Christchurch at the Pier on New Brighton beach.

Internationally recognised as the birthplace of multi-sport and adventure racing the first official race was held on February 26 and 27 in 1983 with 79 competitors and as the event rapidly grew just three years later saw “The Longest Day” one day World Championship event introduced.

Leading global outdoor adventure brand Kathmandu secured the naming rights and apparel sponsorship of the event in 2016 and last year’s event saw a race record of over 920 competitors running, cycling and kayaking across the South Island. The Kathmandu Coast to Coast has become a rite of passage for multisport athletes from around the world with over 18,000 people having completed in the event in 35 years.

About Sport Canterbury

Sport Canterbury has in-depth experience in community sport, event management and physical activity. They deliver programmes and events to teachers, coaches, sporting organisations, health professionals and people of all ages across the Canterbury West Coast region. With Regional Sports Trust offices in Christchurch, Mid Canterbury, South Canterbury and the West Coast, everything Sport Canterbury does is about getting, and keeping, people engaged with sport and physical activity.

For more information and results see www.coasttocoast.co.nz

#kathmanducoasttocoast #KMDC2C 

For more information please contact:

Glen Currie

Event Director

021 892 355

Julyan Falloon

CEO Sport Canterbury

021 025 18749

John McKenzie

enthuse media & eventsMedia Manager

021 384 730

#enthusemedia