Trojan Holdings Ltd is the new owner of the Coast to Coast, and Robin Judkins, the event's founder and race director for 30 years, had ''teamed up'' with the resort company, it was announced yesterday.
Mr Judkins said he had enjoyed seeing about 20,000 competitors battle themselves, each other and the environment over 243km from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean.
The event was ''a reflection of New Zealand at its finest''. However, ''it's time for me to look to a new era with a lesser role. . . I intend to still be there in a supporting role for years to come'', he said.
The annual Coast to Coast event involved about 3500 people, generated economic activity and raised an international profile.
Up to 800 competitors will contest the next event on February 14 and 15 next year. Over either two days, individuals, two-person or three-person teams, or the one-day event involving individuals only, competitors cycle 140km in three stages of 55km, 15km and 70km, run 36km (including a 33km mountain stage which crosses the Southern Alps) and kayak 67km of the grade two Waimakariri River through the Waimakariri Gorge.
Mr Judkins told Radio Sport yesterday there would be major changes to the event.
Multiple winner Richard Ussher criticised the event earlier this year for its lack of prize money, poor spectator coverage and the fact entry fees still had to be paid for previous winners.
Some of those changes look like being implemented as the event is taken to a new level.
Mr Judkins acknowledged he had been battling health issues and was getting tired during the event. He would still have a minor involvement and would continue to greet competitors at the finish line at Sumner Beach.
Competitor numbers have dropped away over the past few years after peaking at more than 1000 before the recession hit in 2008.
