Ready, set, go...
Excitement peaks as final preparations for 2025 Kathmandu Coast to Coast conclude
Excitement is building as preparations for this weekend’s 2025 Kathmandu Coast to Coast reach their completion.
This iconic multisport event, on Friday and Saturday, promises to deliver another unforgettable experience for athletes and spectators alike.
It’s anticipated there will be some thrilling battles this year and the finishing order could surprise people on race day.
On Saturday morning, Wānaka-based Hamish Elliott will start at Kūmara Beach as the number one seed.
The 30-year-old has raced the Kathmandu Coast to Coast seven times and claimed his first win in 2024 – finishing in 10:48:53.
In addition to his Kathmandu Coast to Coast success, Elliot won the 2025 Clutha Classic River race and last year’s Challenge Wānaka. He also placed third in China’s 2024 Wulong Mountain Quest multisport race.
Looking at the women’s longest-day field, Simone Maier is no stranger to the podium.
Donning the coveted no.1 bib, she’s back to chase history and become the first woman to win six titles.
Maier is joined in the top 3 by Elina Ussher – taking part in her 20th Kathmandu Coast to Coast – and Deborah Lynch, who competed in the race in 2023 and last year. She placed 6th in both of those efforts.
“Simone is going for another win which is super exciting, and I know she’s going to be as strong as ever,” says Coast to Coast veteran Sam Manson.
“I know it’s going to be good racing… There are going to be some tight times along the way.”
Another athlete to keep tabs on is men’s third-seed Sam Clark, who first raced the Coast to Coast 15 years ago.
“It’s going to be exciting to watch,” adds Manson.
“He brings a lot to the game and he’ll be hard to beat, but we know a couple of the other guys have put a heap of work in too,” Manson says of Clark.
Tasmania’s Alex Hunt rounds out the top three in the men’s. He’s raced the Kathmandu Coast to Coast five times, claiming 3rd in 2023 and 2nd last year where he crossed the line just three minutes behind Elliot.
Hunt won the 2019 and last year’s Wulong Mountain Quest in China with team Topsport and took top honours in the 2023 Red Bull Defiance with his brother Robbie.
