Christchurch-based athlete Sam Manson is tipped to take line honours, wearing the hotly contested number one bib as he lines up on Saturday morning at Kumara Beach. Having spent many hours on the course in the build-up to the race, thanks to his job as a river and mountain guide with TopSport, his advantage of knowing key lines and shortcuts may well have been lost due to the recent storm that passed through over the weekend.

“We’ve had 200 cumecs down the river in the last few days, which has no doubt changed the original lines. This opens it right up and will be a brand new course to every athlete – no one will have an advantage based on their previous knowledge,” says Race Director Glen Currie.

While no stranger to the podium, Manson came agonisingly close to winning his maiden title in 2021, only to be reeled in on the final bike ride to finish second, within 10 minutes of eventual winner Dougal Allan. But with Allan not starting due to his recent selection in the America’s Cup team as one of the four cyclors, and last year’s winner Braden Currie not returning to defend his title, this year’s event is seen as Manson’s best chance yet to take out the World Championship title.

Thanks to our borders reopening, allowing international visitors to compete once again, Hobart’s Alex Hunt is excited to be back after a few years away from the race. Competing in his fifth Kathmandu Coast to Coast, the number two seeded athlete has a second, third and sixth place already to his name, meaning all eyes will be on the one position needed to claim to complete his podium collection.

With multisport races in Australia few and far between, Hunt last competed in early October at the Freycinet Challenge, where he had a great battle with his brother Robbie Hunt, who pipped him at the post by a mere 30 seconds. Seeded sixth, Robbie is definitely one to watch and could be a surprise podium finisher come late Saturday afternoon.

“It’s really exciting that potentially we could have an Australian champion at this year’s event. With the borders restricting internationals from competing in previous years, it’s great to have this world-class event back to full strength, knowing that the best of the best will be standing on the start line,” adds Currie.

Rounding out the top three is local Ryan Kiesanowski, who is a late inclusion to this year's Longest Day event due to an injury to his calf muscle in September. But while Kiesanowski may lack the hours in training compared to his competitors, he more than makes up for it in his mental toughness, shown in the 2022 event where he raced with a broken toe, finishing an incredible third place overall.

Making his way into the top-seeded athletes for the first time, Hamish Elliot is no stranger to the event. Lining up for his fourth Kathmandu Coast to Coast, he is excited to test himself against the best and see how he can put all the pieces of the puzzle together with an eye on the prize come race day.

A solid build-up has seen him take out the top spot alongside teammate Robbie Hunt at Australia's Red Bull Defiance in August and the Challenge Wanaka Multi in late October. Known for his speed on the run, Elliot will be one to watch as he heads through Goat Pass and aims to build a solid lead before hitting the water.

With the top four athletes having competed in the event previously, making his debut at this year's Kathmandu Coast to Coast is fifth seed Tayla Harrison. Having originally planned to compete in the 2-Day Team with his father last year, Harrison decided to go all in and enter the Elite category after last year's cancellation due to COVID.

With a background in cycling as a junior, the 28-year-old from Christchurch has had to juggle training with his day job as a builder. With a steady schedule throughout the year, Harrison tested himself against the best in last year's Motu Challenge, placing a very creditable third behind Sam Manson and Dougal Allan.

With no COVID to change last-minute plans and a clear weather forecast for the weekend, the 41^st edition of the Kathmandu Coast to Coast is all set to be one of the best. “There’s a real buzz in the atmosphere as we head into the final few days before the race. For many of the athletes, this is their third attempt to compete in this iconic event, with plenty of hours (and years) spent getting themselves to the start line,” says Currie. “The hard work is done – the only left is to get out there, race hard and enjoy it.”

Seed  Name                        Bib #

1         Sam Manson            2

2         Alex Hunt                  3

3         Ryan Kiesanowski   44

4         Hamish Elliott           4

5         Tayla Harrison          7

6         Robbie Hunt              31

7         Robbie Savage          5

8         Bradley McNamara  8

9         Nathan Peterson      9

10       Lachie Brownlie        24