Alex Hunt made history on Saturday afternoon, becoming the first Australian since 1993 to win the Coast to Coast 'Longest Day' multisport race.
The Tasmanian crossed the line at Sumner Beach in Christchurch four minutes ahead of defending champion Hamish Elliot, with a time of 11 hours, 29 minutes and 20 seconds.
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“I still can’t believe it, I’m just in shock. It’s going to take a moment to sink in.”
Hunt trailed Elliot for much of the race and made his move half way into the 70km kayak stage on the Waimakariri River, emerging with a two-minute lead going onto the final cycle leg.
The 33-year-old is no stranger to the iconic race, having competed six times previously and coming an agonisingly close second place last year where he missed out on the win by just three minutes.
“It wasn’t an immediate decision to come back, that’s for sure! I’d told myself and my family that it was going to be the last one, but Maggie my partner was supportive and keen for me to go again.”
The civil engineer from Hobart threw everything at it this year, relocating to New Zealand in early January with his partner and two-year-old daughter to dedicate six weeks specifically to training on the 243km course.
“We’ve done close to 20 trips to Arthurs Pass this year to train on the mountain run and Maggie’s driven and looked after our daughter every day. She’s amazing.”
It’s a tough gig coming from Australia to this race. I don’t think some people appreciate how hard it is.”
The last Australian to win the Coast to Coast was Melbourne’s John Jacoby in 1993, with a time of just over 11 hours.
Meanwhile, after consecutive sixth-placed finishes, New Zealand's Deb Lynch has won the women's 'Longest Day' title.
In a thrilling race, Lynch crossed the finish line in 13:06:11, holding off five-time defending champion Simone Maier, who finished just over four minutes behind.
The 32-year-old Porirua athlete, in only her third attempt at the iconic 243km multisport race, executed a flawless performance to finally clinch the title.
Lynch made her move at Klondyke Corner, arriving three minutes ahead of Maier after a strong 30.5km mountain run over Goat Pass. She maintained her lead into the 70km kayak stage down the Waimakariri Gorge, extending her advantage during the first half of the paddle.
Even with a strong lead, Lynch remained uncertain about her victory until she crossed the finish line.
“I was not letting up the whole way,” she said. “Even on that last stretch along the boulevard, I thought, ‘She could come.’ So, I was redlining the whole way.
“I spent my entire day just trying to stay in the moment … I didn’t believe it until I crossed that finish line. Honestly, it’s yet to sink in.”
For Maier, a record-breaking sixth title proved just out of reach in what she had already confirmed would be her final elite Coast to Coast.
“It was fantastic,” Maier said post-race. “It’s second place, but I wanted to race. I said before that whoever beats me deserves it, and today, Debbie had an amazing race.”
Multisport legend Elina Ussher, competing in her 20th Coast to Coast, rounded out the podium, improving on her fourth-place finish from last year. The seasoned competitor showed her endurance and race smarts, securing third place in 13:22:28, just under 16 minutes behind Lynch.