One of the country's most iconic multi-sport events returns today. 

The first day of the South Islands' Coast to Coast kicks off from Kumara Beach, with athletes biking, kayaking, and running to Christchurch's New Brighton Beach. 

Around 1,700 participants are competing in the 43rd edition of the event. 

Race director Glen Currie told Andrew Dickens Klondyke Corner will be an unusually busy spot, full of spectators and competitors. 

He says the odd tramper is normally the only one at the Arthurs Pass National Park campsite, but there will be seven thousand people there tonight. 

Records could also be broken this year. 

Currie says that Simone Maier is going for a sixth win in tomorrow’s Longest Day event, which would give her the most wins for any female ever. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

One of the country's most iconic multi-sport events returns today.&nbsp;
The first day of the South Islands' Coast to Coast kicks off from Kumara Beach, with athletes biking, kayaking, and running to Christchurch's New Brighton Beach.&nbsp;
Around 1,700 participants are competing in the 43rd edition of the event.&nbsp;
Race director Glen Currie told Andrew Dickens Klondyke Corner will be an unusually busy spot, full of spectators and competitors.&nbsp;
He says the odd tramper is normally the only one at the Arthurs Pass National Park campsite, but there will be seven thousand people there tonight.&nbsp;
Records could also be broken this year.&nbsp;
Currie says that Simone Maier is going for a sixth win in tomorrow’s Longest Day event, which would give her the most wins for any female ever.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Glen Currie: Coast to Coast Race Director on the multi-sport event returning this weekend

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ac93da61-d721-4075-89aa-b27c0143691d/transcript