After an amazing experience competing in the three-person category in 2019, Sport Canterbury has joined the Kathmandu Coast to Coast as a sponsor to help promote the event to an even wider audience.

After being injured in the build up to the event, Sport Canterbury Chief Executive Julyan Falloon switched to support crew for his three staff members and received a real 360-degree view of what, and who, the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is all about. ‘I was blown away by how many people were competing and also supporting others to be active. One of our objectives at Sport Canterbury is to see more people, more active, more often and the Kathmandu Coast to Coast aligns really nicely with that,’ said Falloon. 

The fact that the event starts on the West Coast, part of Sport Canterbury’s catchment area, traverses across some of Canterbury’s Southern Alps and then finishes at Christchurch’s New Brighton Beach was also a major drawcard for Falloon. ‘The event speaks to a number of our values and the fact that it connects across a large part of our geographical area is also something that we saw real benefit in.’

With the event looking to grow its participation in the secondary school category, Sport Canterbury has offered up a trophy for teams to compete for. Race Director Glen Currie says he’s pleased to have another partner on board who shares the vision of the event. ‘It’s not uncommon to have people first experience the event in a  team and then come back a year or so later  to attempt the entire event as an individual, so to have an organisation like Sport Canterbury who share our vision of introducing secondary school students to the experience and lifestyle that is adventure sport is extremely pleasing.’

‘We have a great bunch of sponsors, many of who are very long term, so to be able to welcome a new sponsor that aligns with an area of the event that we want to grow says a lot for where the events at too.’ 

The Sport Canterbury Secondary Schools Trophy will be awarded to the fastest three-person mixed team category of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast. The mixed format of adventure racing teams is the typical format world-wide and the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is keen to promote this structure, as well as create some healthy competition to see who is the Secondary School Multisport World Champions. Winners of the mixed team category will also win a $2,500 prize package from Kathmandu for their schools Outdoor Education or Physical Education Department. The mixed teams can be a combination of two schools combined and the rules can be found on the Kathmandu Coast to Coast website.

Schools can also apply to the Kathmandu Academy to help cover costs and with some coaching, with applications for the 2020 event still open until the end of August and all details are on the website. 

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

And or Contact Kathmandu Coast to Coast Media Manager George Berry on 027 5385 633