The rumours would circulate most summers. People would see Sam Clark’s Strava details and note the time spent running over Goat Pass or paddling down the Waimakariri, assuming that he was going to be a late entry into the Kathmandu Coast to Coast’s Longest Day.

The reality was, the four times champion was spending time on the course working as a guide to help others fulfil their race aspirations and dreams. But this time, as was confirmed in early December, it’s for real.

“This time I’m planning to get to Christchurch a couple of weeks out from the race. Get over the mountain and down the river a few times just to refresh the course. I’ve spent so many summers in that part of the world, it shouldn’t take too much to bring me back up to speed.”

The 34 year old had an impressive 2024, racing in the likes of China and at the last ever Motu Challenge where he was first to the finish. He says he’s in good form and in good health.

“I thought: bugger it. Why not just chuck my name in the ring again and see what happens ?”

Clark’s return has created a real buzz around the men’s race, with many other competitors very quick to tag him again as their race favourite. His abilities across all three disciplines has always made him a standout.

Riding down the great Braden Currie on South Eyre Road on the way to his second victory in 2017, or his regular sub three hour journeys over Goat Pass are just a couple of examples from the massive body of evidence underlining his credentials.

That’s without even mentioning his strength on river !

“Over the past three years I’ve been doing a lot of cycling- riding bikes almost exclusively (eg Tour of Southland).

I’ve expected that performance to drop a wee bit now that I’m splitting myself over three sports, but it hasn’t dropped too much. If I’ve got any advantage, I think it’s that I’m enjoying all three sports.”

Last year’s runner-up Alex Hunt set a stage record on the cycle to New Brighton Beach, in a ferocious battle with winner Hamish Elliott and the third placed Ironman Ben Phillips.

Throwing Sam Clark into that mix sets up an intriguing battle as they try to ride each others legs off!

Clark says after his break from the Longest Day, it feels like a bit more fun now. In past campaigns, the plotting an planning has been quite draining.

“Doing it year after year, particularly from the North Island, or Tasmania like Alex Hunt is, it’s quite hard yakka. It’s not the event itself that’s difficult- it’s everything around it. Getting organised, the logistical side of things is what I find to be the most challenging to manage.”

Every year throws up a different scenario with the unpredictability of weather and course conditions over the Motu.

Last year’s men’s and women’s races were absolute top shelf.

With four of the top five men’s finishers back on the start line for 2025, and a mentally refreshed Sam Clark casting his long shadow over the field, get ready for another epic weekend !