5th time’s a charm

After three seconds and a third in the Coast to Coast’s ‘‘longest day’’, it’s no surprise that Dougal Allan reckons yesterday’s win is a ‘‘career highlight’’.

The Wanaka 33-year-old ran, kayaked and cycled his way through 243km to a time of 11hr 15min to claim the title at Christchurch’s New Brighton Beach yesterday and immediately celebrated the feat with his kids Matilda and Flynn.

German-born Kiwi Simone Maier was also a first-time winner and took out the women’s title despite a twominute penalty and smashing into a van on a one-way bridge near Arthur’s Pass.