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'Bit of a monkey off me back' - Wanaka's Dougal Allan crowned Coast to Coast winner

February 9, 2019

Allan picked up his maiden title after finishing runner-up three times in the race from Kumara to New Brighton.

Wanaka's Dougal Allan has been crowned the Coast to Coast winner after finishing the 243km race in 11 hours and 15 minutes at Christchurch’s Brighton Beach today.

The 33-year-old has finished runner-up three times in previous races, but today he was the first man to cross the finish line.

Australian competitor Alex Hunt led the race at the 70km kayak section on the Waimakariri River, with Allan pulling out a huge paddle to hit the front of the pack.

"This race means a lot to me, been probably trying to win it for the best part of a decade," said Allan.

"If I didn't win today I would've come back, you know I was always determined to not give up and so to win it as you say it's a bit of a monkey off me back."

Sam Manson from Christchurch finished second, 15 minutes behind Allan.

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