At only 16, College powerhouse Kiki Anglem has lined up in the open section of the two-day Coast to Coast with a friend. The pair – the youngest in the field – have shocked their more hardened rivals by snaring the runners-up spot, finishing only minutes behind the winners.

Along with Kiki, fellow College athlete Jack Hastie has raced home to nab 4th in the individual two-day school section and Jackson Robertson has answered a late call-up to join his father in the two-person family section to claim a hard-fought 14th place.

For all three, the Coast to Coast has been an arduous test of endurance and resilience.

Racing in tandem with friend Silas Jones, Kiki is thrilled with the result after navigating some “dark patches” during the event but “always believing we could do it despite everything not going to plan”.

“I was inspired to compete by my parents – both past competitors,” he explains. “I was also strongly motivated by being part of a team and not wanting to let the other guy down. If you are part of a team, it makes the training and two-day race a lot more fun.

“While it was chaotic at the start, you just have to hold your ground and then fight for your place all the way. You often have to race in tough spots against much older, hardened athletes. Then you can also find that you have a lot of water in your kayak as you paddle through a gruelling section.”

In his first Coast to Coast, Kiki and Silas finished in an inspiring 13:08:39. First up, Kiki raced off the beach on the West Coast and then tackled the 55-kilometre bike section. On the second day, he was back on the bike for 15km before climbing into his kayak to navigate the challenging 70km Waimakariri River stretch.

Year 13 student and Head of Condell’s House Jack Hastie has also made his mark in his Coast to Coast debut and is “stoked” with his 4th place in the schools U18 individual category.

“The 70km kayak was the toughest discipline for me,” he says. “The low river flow meant the rapids were harder to stay upright in and especially difficult when concentrating for the entire stretch. The bluff corners were likewise quite technical.”

The 30km Goat Pass run was also pretty demanding for Jack.

“It’s hard terrain with the rocks and boulders, and often navigating a trackless route,” he says. “You have to keep reminding yourself to keep going. I was determined to push through – no matter the obstacles.

“It’s a cool experience, a cool atmosphere, and an amazing environment – all the way from coast to coast. It was very rewarding, even though I was pretty sore after two full-on days. It was nice to know that all the running, biking, and kayaking training had paid off.”

Finishing the 243km in 15:12:35, Jack plans “to go faster and harder next year”.

Meanwhile, Jackson, 16, has enjoyed his debut, competing in a team with his father, Shannon. A regular half-marathon runner, Jackson tackled the 30km Goat Pass section on the first day and the 70km cycle leg on day two.

“While it was tough terrain and hot, I am always up for a challenge,” he says. “You are tougher than you think and it has been great to conquer something that I didn’t think I could do. I am proud of what I have achieved.

“Next year I plan to compete as an individual and hope to eventually tackle The Longest Day. I would also love to get more College boys fired up to give it a go.”

At only 16, College powerhouse Kiki Anglem has lined up in the open section of the two-day Coast to Coast with a friend. The pair – the youngest in the field – have shocked their more hardened rivals by snaring the runners-up spot, finishing only minutes behind the winners.

Along with Kiki, fellow College athlete Jack Hastie has raced home to nab 4th in the individual two-day school section and Jackson Robertson has answered a late call-up to join his father in the two-person family section to claim a hard-fought 14th place.

For all three, the Coast to Coast has been an arduous test of endurance and resilience.

Racing in tandem with friend Silas Jones, Kiki is thrilled with the result after navigating some “dark patches” during the event but “always believing we could do it despite everything not going to plan”.

“I was inspired to compete by my parents – both past competitors,” he explains. “I was also strongly motivated by being part of a team and not wanting to let the other guy down. If you are part of a team, it makes the training and two-day race a lot more fun.

“While it was chaotic at the start, you just have to hold your ground and then fight for your place all the way. You often have to race in tough spots against much older, hardened athletes. Then you can also find that you have a lot of water in your kayak as you paddle through a gruelling section.”

In his first Coast to Coast, Kiki and Silas finished in an inspiring 13:08:39. First up, Kiki raced off the beach on the West Coast and then tackled the 55-kilometre bike section. On the second day, he was back on the bike for 15km before climbing into his kayak to navigate the challenging 70km Waimakariri River stretch.

Year 13 student and Head of Condell’s House Jack Hastie has also made his mark in his Coast to Coast debut and is “stoked” with his 4th place in the schools U18 individual category.

“The 70km kayak was the toughest discipline for me,” he says. “The low river flow meant the rapids were harder to stay upright in and especially difficult when concentrating for the entire stretch. The bluff corners were likewise quite technical.”

The 30km Goat Pass run was also pretty demanding for Jack.

“It’s hard terrain with the rocks and boulders, and often navigating a trackless route,” he says. “You have to keep reminding yourself to keep going. I was determined to push through – no matter the obstacles.

“It’s a cool experience, a cool atmosphere, and an amazing environment – all the way from coast to coast. It was very rewarding, even though I was pretty sore after two full-on days. It was nice to know that all the running, biking, and kayaking training had paid off.”

Finishing the 243km in 15:12:35, Jack plans “to go faster and harder next year”.

Meanwhile, Jackson, 16, has enjoyed his debut, competing in a team with his father, Shannon. A regular half-marathon runner, Jackson tackled the 30km Goat Pass section on the first day and the 70km cycle leg on day two.

“While it was tough terrain and hot, I am always up for a challenge,” he says. “You are tougher than you think and it has been great to conquer something that I didn’t think I could do. I am proud of what I have achieved.

“Next year I plan to compete as an individual and hope to eventually tackle The Longest Day. I would also love to get more College boys fired up to give it a go.”