The Speight’s Coast to Coast continues to defy the recession with a bigger prize pool than ever before for the 2010 race.
Scheduled for February 12 and 13, race director Robin Judkins is over the moon with the response from sponsors for the 28th Speight’s Coast to Coast.
“It’s fantastic,” said Judkins. “We’ve brought together a total prize pool of $275,000 that includes increases in both the feature cash prizes and product.”
Sponsorship for the 2010 event includes Icebreaker clothing, Thule Roof Rack Systems, Leppin Sport energy products, Forrest Estate Wines, Em’s Power Cookies, Interisland Ferry Travel, Giant Bikes, Canoe & Kayak kayaks, Topsport kayak equipment, Legend Paddles, Annie’s Fruit Bars, 3M Tape, and Càrn mountain running shoes.
“And don’t forgot more than 1000 dozen cans of Speight’s” cackles Judkins.
The now iconic Speight’s brand has been with New Zealand’s most iconic challenge for 27 years, which Judkin’s says, “must be one of the longest sports sponsorships in New Zealand.”
Other brands, such as Swedish roof rack company, Thule, are also long time supporters of the Speight’s Coast to Coast. “Thule have been bloody marvelous this year,” says Judkin’s. “As well as product they have added $6000 to the cash prize pool so the One Day World Championship event now features $10,000 for first place, $2000 for second and $1000 for third, and that’s for both men and women.”
In total Judkin’s will give out 120 merit prizes in 48 categories, including officials. “Between merit prizes and spot prizes,” he says, “every participant will win a prize.”
Judkins has been taken aback by the level of support his event has received for 2010. “Sponsorship and fundraising is always difficult, even for a race like the Speight’s Coast to Coast,” he says. “So to get this sort of support in the middle of a recession is phenomenal.”
“New sponsors like the English company Càrn running shoes actually came to us looking for opportunities because they had heard that ‘this was The New Zealand event’ to showcase an endurance product.”
It’s not just sponsors who are ignoring the recession either. Entries for the 2010 Speight’s Coast to Coast are ahead of this time last year in the individual One Day and Two Day races, but Judkins says, “There are plenty of spaces still in the team race.”
Entries for the 27th Speight’s Coast To Coast are still being taken. For further information visit www.coasttocoast.co.nz.
