Tasmanian Alex Hunt becomes first non-Kiwi to win Kathmandu Coast to Coast in 30 years
Tasmania Alex Hunt has triumphed in a gruelling race that saw him kayak, cycle and run 243km in a single day. In doing so he has achieved a rare first.
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Tasmanian multi-sport champion Alex Hunt has become the first international competitor in more than 30 years to win the gruelling 243km Longest Day event at the Kathmandu Coast-to-Coast race in New Zealand.
The Hobart dad, who moved his family temporarily to New Zealand for six weeks to prepare for the run, kayak and cycling event was elated to cross the line first, after finishing third and second in two previous attempts.
“I have been working towards it for so long. I didn’t think it was possible. It’s been over 30 years since an international has won it. It feels pretty good to have it on my resume,” Hunt said.
“It’s tough to win this race from overseas. I’ve dedicated seven years of my life to it. This year I took three months off work, and moved my family over here for six weeks.
“I put my heart and soul into this race so I hope the Kiwis can appreciate the effort I’ve gone to.”
Hunt paid tribute to his fellow competitors after crossing the line in 11hr29min20sec just 4min 27sec in front of second placed Hamish Elliot.
“To be the best you’ve got to beat the best. It feels unbelievable,” he said.
Hunt said he pushed himself to the limit in the final 70km cycle leg. “I was just burying myself. In the last 20km I rode as hard as I could,” he said.
The race starts on the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island at Kumara Beach, and traverses the width of the South Island, crossing the main divide and finishing on the east coast at the pier on New Brighton Beach in Christchurch. The 243km event is a huge test for multi-sport athletes with alternating legs of running, cycling and kayaking.
After finishing second in last year’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast the 33-year-old engineer said it would be his final time competing.
“Last year really felt like the final one,” Hunt said.
“And then it was only sort of chatting with my partner, Maggie Lennox, that she was happy or supportive of me going again; that kind of made me think about it.
“Then my coach sort of saw a lot of opportunities for improvement.”
But Hunt has already vowed he will not compete in 2026.
“We’ve got another baby due in two months, and it’s just going to be too much,” he said.
“But I haven’t ruled out maybe 2027 or 2028.”
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