It's all on for young and old for individual honours when the two-day section of the Coast to Coast resumes from Klondyke Corner tomorrow.
Christchurch builder Nathan Bell (21) was first to finish today's first stage involving a 3km run from Kumara Beach to the transition to a 55km cycle to Aickens before tackling the legendary 33km alpine run.
He holds a tentative 50sec advantage over Rotorua's Mark Beesley (50), with Nathan Jones (34) from Woodend in third.
Bell finished the alpine stage worse for wear, having taken a few falls on the run down from Goat Pass. He has deep lacerations and grazing to the meaty piece of both hands, which will affect his grip on the bike and particularly the 67km kayak stage. Added to this is a low river level that will call upon all his technical skills.
Well placed behind him are Dunedin's Tim Johnson (8th ) and Sam Cosgrove (10th ), for whom podium finishes are there for taking.
The men's team section is a little more clear-cut with Nelson's Trevor Voyce and Matt Blundell (Australia) holding a handy 16min lead over Steven McKinstry (Auckland) and Daniel Busch (Nelson).
In the women's team section the Wanaka pair of Simone Maier and Ginny Rutledge hold a 3min 28sec advantage over year-13 schools pupil Kelsee Hamilton (Hokitika) and Nakia Randle (Dunstan).
