Ashburton trio (from left) Gerard Morrison, Matt Clough and Sam Clements-Stewart celebrate their podium finishes following Coast to Coast prizegiving on Sunday. Photo supplied.The largest field in the history of the Coast to Coast put months of backbreaking preparation into motion over the weekend.

Dozens of Mid Cantabrians lined up for the pinnacle multisport trek, which came to a head at Christchurch’s New Brighton Beach on Saturday.

Several of the line-up celebrated deserving spots on the podium.

In the remorseless Longest Day event, Samuel Clements-Stewart, of Ashburton, came second in the open 18-39 category and 11th overall in a time of 12hrs 22mins.

He was tailed by fellow Ashburton resident Gerard Morrison, who placed third in the open category and 12th overall, finishing in 12hrs 27mins.

Morrison bounced back after crashing off the bike during the first bike leg.

Clements-Stewart, who had finished third in the open category and 20th overall in 2019, said the weather made things more challenging.

“The southerly hit me as soon as I entered the gorge.

“I think it was the highest number of DNFs.

“That’s why they make everyone wear all the compulsory gear … the thermals and jackets, etc.

“I was conscious of it throughout the day.”

With the conditions getting the better of several competitors, Clements-Stewart was elated with the result.

“This year I went to a more advanced kayak and we got the Ashburton Kayak Club going, it really helped with my kayaking.

“I was really rapt with how the day went overall.”

Matthew Clough, of Ashburton, finished third in the open category in the two-day individual event and fourth overall after registering a time of 11hrs 50mins.

Dorie’s Mark Cressey earned a podium place as he finished second in the Vintage 60+ category for the two day individual in a time of 14hrs 58mins.

The Screamin Beemans’ pairing of Cole and Flynn Beeman was the first family team and third overall in the two-day two-person team event, finishing in 12hrs 19mins.

The Mount Hutt College Beavers, comprising of high school pupils Alex Roderick, Jack Miers and Adam Shears, placed third out of the school teams, crossing the finish line in 13hrs 1min.

Fellow MHC pupils Louis Bryson-Boe and George Seque was the first school team in the two-day two-person category, finishing in 16hrs 38mins.

May End in Divorce! couple Mark and Anna Summerfield were the ninth mixed team in the two-day two-person category, finishing in a time of 13hrs 20mins.

Methven pair Stephen “Blackie” Blackwell and Jarrod Coutts were fourth in the open category and seventh overall in the two-day tandem, finishing in a time of 13hrs 16mins.

Team Turney pair Rob and Kim Turney finished third in the veteran category of the two-day tandem event in a time of 14hrs 56mins.

Reuben Syme, of Ashburton, was the eighth veteran (40-49) home in the two-day individual event, finishing in a time of 13hrs 30mins.

By Adam Burns © The Ashburton Guardian - 10 February 2020