Changes brought about to breathe new life into New Zealand's Speight's Coast to Coast have proved to be a hit, with a huge surge in competitor numbers.
With final numbers still to be confirmed, there had been a 40% increase at the early entry stage prior to Christmas, with organisers expecting 700-800 entries, well up on the 500 who entered last year.
One of the features introduced this year is electronic timing and live GPS tracking of top athletes. But one of the most worrying changes faced by organisers early in the planning stage was to alter the finish area from Sumner Beach to New Brighton Beach.
The final bike leg will now see competitors cycle from the Waimakariri River Gorge Bridge, heading east along South Eyre Rd to the Main North Road, where they will turn to the south and cross back over the Waimakariri River.
The bikes will then head along Marshland, Prestons and Mairehau roads before finally turning into Marine Parade in New Brighton to finish at the pier.
The leg will still be the same length (68km) but without the traffic management challenges of heading to Sumner via much busier roads with traffic lights.
A fireworks display launched from the end of the pier is planned to round off celebrations in the evening.
