Emotional win for Allan

Gordon Walker’s sage prediction nine years ago finally rang true at Christchurch’s New Brighton Beach late on Saturday afternoon.

Walker, a three-time Coast to Coast men’s longest day champion and the coach of twotime canoeing Olympic gold medallist Lisa Carrington, was pivotal in Dougal Allan’s droughtbreaking triumph.

Wanaka’s Allan finally tasted glory in the 243km endurance race after three previous second place finishes and another third place effort.

Competing in the event for the first time since 2013, Allan, 33, who has concentrated on ironman, prevailed over Christchurch’s Sam Manson and top seed, Australian Alex Hunt, in 11hr 15min.

In Walker’s last attempt at the longest day in 2010, he held off Allan to win, and prophesied the runner-up would be a future champion.

After so many near misses, Allan enlisted Walker to be his coach and repaid his mentor with an overdue longest day title.

‘‘In his last race at the finish line, [Walker] said, ‘Dougal Allan has got what it takes and he’ll win this race one day’,’’ Allan said on Saturday.

‘‘I rang him about 12 weeks ago and said, ‘Let’s not make a liar out of you mate. He stepped up and shared a lot of knowledge with me and gave me a lot of guidance.’’

Meanwhile, retired All Blacks great Richie McCaw and good friend Rob Nichol, the New Zealand Rugby Players Association boss, finished fourth in the two-day tandem team event. They posted a time of 14hours 49mins 29secs.

In the two-day individual race, Lachie Brownlie won the men’s race in 12hours 41min 15secs. Selena Metherell was the women’s two-day champion in 14hours 28min 01 sec.