It was a victorious double for Wānaka athletes at this year’s Coast to Coast Longest Day event held yesterday (Saturday February 10), with Hamish Elliott (29) clinching the men's title for the first time and Simone Maier (43) claiming her fifth win and equalling the women’s record for most wins at the event. 

“It means so much to win this five times – it was a hard-fought win,” Simone said.

“The conditions didn’t make it easy out there today, but the harder it gets, the better it is for me.”

Simone traversed the South Island in a time of 12 hours, 31 minutes, and 8 seconds, 20 minutes ahead of second place Hannah Lund. 

In his fourth attempt to hoist the silverware, Hamish Elliott clinched a nail-biter in the Elite men's field to claim the 42nd Kathmandu Coast to Coast Multisport World Championship title, clocking in at 10 hours, 48 minutes, and 53 seconds.

Known for his speed over Goat Pass in the Mountain Run, Hamish knew he needed to push himself to the limit to secure the title. With a five-minute advantage off the mountain over eventual second-place finisher Australia’s Alex Hunt, Hamish maintained his lead all the way to New Brighton. 

“This is the pinnacle,” he said. 

“It’s the smoothest race I’ve managed to put together. To win amongst these competitors is incredible.”

Prior to the race the Wānaka App featured former Te Kura o Tititea Mt Aspiring College teacher Andrew Sloan who was competing in the two-day event despite undergoing sessions of chemotherapy leading into the race.

Andrew completed the course in a time of 20 hours, 49 minutes, and 48 seconds.

In what is regarded as the largest multisport event globally, the 42nd edition of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast witnessed another sold-out field, with athletes travelling from the west coast to the east coast. 

"It's an incredible event, and its increasing recognition among athletes, supporters, and sponsors is undoubtedly positive," race director Glen Currie said.

Full results can be found online.

PHOTOS: Iain McGregor/Kathmandu Coast to Coast