The Coastal Classic mountain bike event is back and it is going to be electric — well, partly.
You can still use pedal power and there are running and walking events Cas well, but this year’s event at the Taieri Mouth includes a 45km e-bike race and rally again.
The Coastal Classic was cancelled due to Covid-19 last year. This year it gets under way on November 6, and interest has been strong.
It has attracted more than 230 entries already and race director Stephen Green is hopeful the final number will top 350. Typically it has attracted 270- to 320 people but the record is 570.
Green said the 15km and 45km mountain bike races were where the more competitive athletes positioned themselves, but the e-bike event was more about exploration and enjoyment.
"[The Coastal Classic] is an event for people to come out an enjoy, but there is a competitive element there if you want it," Green said.
"We’ve had some really top athletes over the years."
The Coastal Classic was first held at Taieri Mouth in 2004 and the event has grown to include running, walking and e-bike rides.
There has been a big uptake for the 21km run this year and legs are still powered manually.
"There is a lot of interest in that 21km run which is kind of cool because it is not a road race — it is across paddocks and farmlands and back round the coast," Green said.
The Coastal Classic raises funds for the local community and will be supporting the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust and the Taieri Mouth Amenities Society.
