Speight's Coast to Coast results
Richard Ussher has taken out the top spot in the Speight's Coast to Coast 'Longest Day' one-day competition with a time of 11hr:03min:54sec. Ussher finished with a convincing lead over last year's winner, Gordon Walker who came in at second place after 11hr:24min:01sec. Considering both Ussher and Walker's extensive multisport experience both competitors were favourites for the first place spot. Dick Brunton, an educational trainer for the DARE program, came in third at Sumner Beach.
"My whole plan during the run was to take it really easy until Goat Pass then really try to hammer it out," says Ussher.
"Ussher is the best adventure racer in the world by a long shot, he's a hard man to beat," says Walker. "He eased away and was under control, he had a faultless race. I'm happy with my times but made a couple of mistakes in the paddle which were heartbreaker's - I just had to keep going."
Ussher said, "...For the only time in my entire Speight's Coast to Coast career I enjoyed that last bike ride."
Despite initial concerns, nine time champ, Steve Gurney noted that the lower-than-usual river level meant half-way times were over 15 minutes faster than in previous years, helping competitors' monster the water-components of the mountain run. However, this time was lost for some entrants during the kayak leg where low river levels caused delay. Overall the low water did not have a severe impact on the race.
