Speights Coast to Coast

Robin Judkins / 30.05.2006

I\'ve just finished five weeks on the road in both the North & South Islands promoting the 25th Anniversary event in 22 cities and towns. And what a turnout I had! 46 people turned up in Gisborne to listen to me and the best I\'d ever got in the past was 14. From Whangarei to Bluff competitors are fizzing about the 25th event.

I\'ve kept the entry fee the same as last year at $835 per person. I\'ve raised the prizes, spot prizes and registration pack goodies to over $200,000 worth of cash, goods and services. Every competitor now receives a spot prize.

Entries are limited to 800, on a first in first served basis, with entries opening on June 1st and closing June 21st. I\'ve reserved 100 places for internationals and they have until December 31st to enter but again it is on a first in first served basis for them as well.

I\'ve restructured the refund and transferral policy and made it easier for teams to change partners and find a team-mate on the Website, under \"The Race\" then \"Find a team mate\" page. If you want to transfer from the Individual Two Day to the Longest Day or vice versa during the year then you can also do that now.

I\'ve introduced Classic Men 50+, Classic Women 50+, Vintage Men 60+ and Vintage Women 60+ to both the Two day and One day events. I\'ve introduced two new sections into the Teams Category with School Boys Teams 16+ and School Girls Teams 16+. I mailed out information to all 210 secondary schools throughout New Zealand in May and have had an astonishing response. In the first week 22 schools responded all saying they were going to enter teams with Christ\'s College saying they were entering two teams! Watch out you oldies, these kids are going to give you a run for your money!

I\'ve reduced the entry fee for competitors aged over 65 to $625 and also the School Boys and Girls to $625 per competitor.