Gurney was in Dunedin yesterday to hold a session outlining the attributes needed to be successful in the event.
Gurney (53) lives in Queenstown these days and is an ambassador for the endurance event, which he won a record nine times.
His name is still attached to the race and he said it was a race that you could train every day for.
''Could you train in Dunedin and not go on the course and do well? Yes, you could finish. To do well and compete you probably have to go on the course at least once,'' Gurney said.
''But we've had people come in from overseas and not do the course beforehand and still do well. So it is possible.''
Gurney was at the Bayfield Park playground and field yesterday, outlining activities for aspiring Coast to Coast athletes.
Everyday activities such as walking on a footpath could be used as training, using the kerb to build up muscles and strengthen ankles.
''You can learn a lot to develop your bunch riding, your mountain running, your kayaking. Looking here at the underpass between the inlet and the harbour we can get a bit of a run going there when the tide changes, so you can get out there and do a lot.''
He also had the athletes put a hand across their noses and running which would improve their foot and eye co-ordination, a vital skill needed on the mountain run.
That was important as well as being well balanced, having the ability to conserve energy over rough ground and the foresight to look at obstacles ahead.
He also stressed having good proprioception - Gurney is a qualified engineer after all.
Proprioception is the relative position of one's own parts of the body and strength of effort while being employed in movement.
Gurney said the Coast to Coast was a great event and anyone could do it.
