At a glance
Allan, Clark favoured to fight out finish
While much of the pre-race Longest Day talk has been about the looming battle between defending champion Dougal Allan and returning threetime champion Sam Clark, a rising star Hamish Elliott is one to watch.
Rumour has it that the 25-yearold has been speeding over Goat Pass recently and has also been likened to three-time champion Braden Currie on his feet.
‘‘Yeah, I’ve had a few people make those comparisons,’’ said Elliott.
Since completing the Kathmandu Coast to Coast Longest Day in 12 hours 14 minutes two years ago, the Southlander has ditched all other sports as well as a full time job working on a farm, instead shifting to Christchurch to concentrate on multisport.
‘‘I’d only just finished a rugby season last time, so I’ve stopped that and have also been racing in China a bit over the past year or so, so I’ve built up a better endurance base that will hopefully help me even more.’’
Elliott is ranked fourth, behind Christchurch’s Ryan Kiesanowski who finished 5th in 2019.
Kiesanowski lines up for what he thinks will be either his 12th or 13th
Top ten men seeding for 2020: 1 Dougal Allan (Wanaka), 2 Sam Clark (Tauranga), 3 Ryan Kiesanowski (Christchurch), 4 Hamish Elliott (Gore), 5 Rhys John (Christchurch), 6 Bobby Dean (Maketu), 7 Oliver Thompson (Whakatane), 8 Scott McDonald (Tauranga), 9 Daniel Barry (Nelson), 10 Paul Gow (Kurow).
Kathmandu Coast to Coast.
‘‘I can’t wait to get out there and race, it’s been a great summer.
‘‘I think the Mountain Run is looking as fast as I can remember seeing it so we could be in for a real battle.
It’s a great field and I hope myself and the others can keep Dougal and Sam honest.’’