Wayne BowlerIt all started for me… with my first Coastal Challenge back in March 2005 with the 16km walk distance. I have not missed one since!! Classic moment / story / best part of the course… I meet an Asian gentlemen sitting on a rock surrounded by water, he had only been in NZ for a short while. His English was not good but he managed to tell me that he could not swim and was rather scared of the water! Interesting dilemma when doing the Coastal Challenge! I told him to stick with me and I would get him through. He did until 10km to go when I told him he was safe. He promptly ran the last 10km in under 40mins! When I staggered over the line a further 40 odd minutes later, my new friend was waiting with a smile, a beer and a sausage with lots of thanks for me. That is what it’s all about! Newbie advice… This is a different event, tough but heaps of fun. Just remember - you will get wet and you are likely to fall over, but when you do, there will be someone there to give you a hand up - possibly even a costumed Batman and Robin! Also for the gents in particular, salt water then running can be a bad mix causing rubbing where it’s not wanted! So bike shorts and/or vaseline is your friend! Close Window |