New Innovation for World's Best-Known Adventure Event - Speights Coast to Coast

Since 1983 the Speight’s Coast to Coast has led the way in adventure sports. This year, the world’s longest-running multisport event launches its 30th anniversary celebrations with another first – a series of webinars designed to inspire and educate endurance enthusiasts worldwide.

Speight’s Coast to Coast race director, Robin Judkins, can’t wait for 2012’s 30th anniversary event. Judkins’ fervour for his 243k cycle, mountain run and kayak race across the South Island is legendary, but it starts even earlier this year with the new webinar series presented by Speight’s, the principal sponsor of the Coast to Coast since 1989.

“The webinar series is a brilliant concept,” says Judkins. “It will help people new to the Speight’s Coast to Coast enjoy the challenge, while also inspiring and educating those who aren’t quite sure if they are up to it.”

Incorporating six online seminars between November 15 and January 31, the webinars will cover everything you ever wanted to know about the Speight’s Coast to Coast. Presented by 12-time finisher and author, Kelly Barber, special guests will include nine-time winner Steve Gurney and Race Director Robin Judkins himself.

Hosted at www.speights.co.nz, content will vary from training, nutrition and equipment, to course descriptions, tips and tall tales from 30 years of the event that kick-started multisport and adventure racing.

“I wish I’d seen something like this before I did the Speight’s Coast to Coast myself”, said Judkins, who participated in his own event for the first time in 2011.

Established in 1983, the Speight’s Coast to Coast is the world’s longest-running multisport event. Starting on Kumara Beach on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, it races 243k across the South Island via a 3k run, 55k road cycle, 33k mountain run, 15k road cycle, 67k white water kayak and 70k road cycle, to finish on the East Coast of the South Island at Sumner Beach in Christchurch.

Participants, who race either solo or in two-person teams, cover the route either in the One Day race, which is recognised as the World Multisport Championship, or in a more recreational Two Day race, complete with overnight camp on Arthur’s Pass in the Southern Alps.

The 30th anniversary 2012 Speight’s Coast to Coast is scheduled for February 10 and 11, and Judkins says the Canterbury earthquakes will not affect what has become an iconic Kiwi challenge.

Speight’s Coast To Coast – Webinar Series
Hosted by www.speights.co.nz

Tuesday November 15 @ 7:30pm: The Greatest Race on Earth
Intended Audience: Competitors and Support Crew
A comprehensive overview of the race from 'Go to Whoa' with Kelly Barber, 12-time competitor and author of 'Conquering the Coast to Coast.’ Joining Kelly will be special guest and nine-time event winner Steve Gurney.

Tuesday November 29 @ 7:30pm: Preparing for your Speight’s Coast to Coast (Part 1)
Intended Audience: Competitors
Find a mentor, the terrain, running, biking, distances, going long

Thursday December 8 @ 8:30pm: Preparing for your Speight’s Coast to Coast (Part 2)
Intended Audience: Competitors
Kayaking, nutrition, recovery, 3 weeks out

Tuesday December 20 @ 7:30pm: Support Crew 101
Intended Audience: Support Crew
The handbook, the equipment, transitions, what's expected, the principles of success

Thursday January 19 @ 7:30pm: Race Day Tips and Tricks for Support Crews
Intended Audience: Support Crew
Food and drink, always moving, a step ahead, number one

Tuesday January 31 @ 7:30pm: Race Day Tips and Tricks for Competitors
Intended Audience: Competitors
Pace, run the machine, watch out for, less is more, the mental side