The Speigths Coast to Coast
Supporting on the C2C
Tori James / 23.02.2010
It’s impossible to compete in the Speight’s Coast to Coast race without a support crew, so this was my job. Thankfully I was not on my own as we had recruited a second and suitably experienced crew member in Auckland; Gemma Wood. We spent a day collecting various bits of kit and equipment: kayak, paddle, road bike, roof racks, spray jacket and of course lots of energy foods.
Our 4×4 for the week (The ‘Prada’) was all packed up and as we drove from Christchurch to Greymouth via Arthur’s Pass, Maria briefed us about the race. We discussed tactics, timings and transitions. It was going to be our job to make sure the bike, kayak, food and water were in the right transition at the right time.
<b>DAY 1</b>
On the morning of Day 1 we were out of bed at 04.30, giving us plenty of time to make 3 large bowls of porridge and get Maria to the bike racks at 6am. Sadly for us we didn’t get to see the start of the race as we had to drive in an impressive convoy of cars and camper vans, each loaded with bikes and kayaks, to Aitkens Corner to prepare her gear for the 33km mountain run.
We promised Maria we’d be waving the Welsh flag in the transition area and she had no problem spotting it when she came in. We were really pleased to see her so high up the field, she was in the top 10 women to enter the bike/run transition. We shoved a tuna sandwich into her hand, exchanged a small rucksack and water bladder for her bike and her helmet and off she went to tackle the mountain run over Goat’s Pass. There was no time for chit chat, the transition needed to be slick and smooth.
With the bike back on the roof of the Prada, Gemma and I drove to Klondyke Corner to await the runners and congratulate Maria at the end of Day 1. We sat in blistering heat on the edge of the Bealey River (tough I know!!) squinting into the distance to try and make out a tall, brown haired female with a bright yellow t-shirt. There was an awesome atmosphere at the finish line. Whole families were acting as support crews for mums, dads, sons and daughters. The John family from Rangiora were delighted to have their grandfather there who had travelled over from Swansea to watch. Rhys John (grandson) actually posted the fastest time on the mountain run.
It was inspiring watching the runners come in across the boulder strewn river bed and it wasn’t long before we were able to raise the Welsh flag again greet Maria at the finish line. She was smiling, but said “that was so ***** tough�.
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