Short answer: Coast to Coast 2027, the South Island multisport race, runs on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 February 2027. Competitors run, cycle and kayak from Kumara Beach on the West Coast to the pier at New Brighton Beach in Christchurch. The one-day race, the Longest Day, is on Saturday 13 February. The general entry ballot for 2027 has closed.
Coast to Coast crosses the Southern Alps in one or two days, and it draws competitors, support crews and supporters to both coasts of the South Island. This briefing is for travel agents and tour operators with clients who are racing, crewing or simply touring the South Island that weekend.
When and where is Coast to Coast 2027?
- Two-day events. Friday 12 and Saturday 13 February 2027, according to the organisers' 2027 entry page.
- The Longest Day. Saturday 13 February 2027. The organisers describe it as the World Multisport Championship event, open to individuals only, covering the whole course in one day.
- Mountain Run. Friday 12 February 2027, a separate event listed on the same entry page.
- Start and finish. The race starts at Kumara Beach, near Greymouth on the West Coast, and finishes at the pier on New Brighton Beach in Christchurch.
- The course. Running, cycling and kayaking. The mountain run crosses Goat Pass between Aickens and Klondyke Corner, and the kayak stage is on the Waimakariri River.
Can clients still enter?
The general ballot for every 2027 event opened on 16 February and closed on 2 March 2026. Unsuccessful applicants went onto a wait list, which the organisers update on their own wait-list page. A small number of elite places in the Longest Day are offered by application to the organisers. Competitors in the two-day and tandem events must be at least 16 on race day.
The organisers list the Longest Day entry fee at $1,520 in NZD, including GST. Explera DMC New Zealand does not sell race entries; clients enter directly with the organisers, and we plan the travel around them.
What should agents plan for?
- Rooms on the West Coast. Competitors and crews gather near the start before the race, so rooms in Greymouth and Hokitika can fill on the Thursday and Friday nights. We hold them with clear release dates as soon as a group is likely.
- Rooms in Christchurch. The finish is in Christchurch on the Saturday. The organisers' spectator page names New Brighton Pier as the place to be on the Saturday evening, with one-day athletes expected to finish from 5 pm. We confirm the 2027 timings before quoting.
- Crossing the Alps. A support group follows the race across Arthur's Pass by road. Our driving times guide covers the coach days, and the TranzAlpine train is an alternative for supporters who are not crewing.
- Bikes and kayaks. Competitors travel with bikes and kayaks, so we plan vehicles with trailer space and confirm airline sports-equipment rules for each client.
- Weather. West Coast and alpine weather changes quickly; see our weather contingency guide.
What else is on in February 2027?
Coast to Coast is one of eight events in our February and March 2027 events briefing, and Kings of Leon play Auckland on 24 February, as our Kings of Leon briefing explains. Every dated event is on our 2027 events calendar.
How Explera DMC New Zealand can help
We are the Christchurch DMC for travel agents and tour operators, and we pair the race weekend with Greymouth, Hokitika and Arthur's Pass, using group tours, hotels and lodges and coach and private transfers. See also our West Coast briefing and our group booking lead times guide.
FAQ
When is Coast to Coast 2027? The two-day events run on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 February 2027, and the one-day Longest Day is on Saturday 13 February.
Where does Coast to Coast start and finish? It starts at Kumara Beach on the West Coast and finishes at the pier on New Brighton Beach in Christchurch.
Can clients still enter Coast to Coast 2027? The general ballot closed on 2 March 2026. Unsuccessful applicants are on a wait list, and elite places in the Longest Day are by application.
Where can supporters watch the finish? The organisers' spectator page names New Brighton Pier in Christchurch, with one-day athletes expected from 5 pm on the Saturday.
Does Explera DMC New Zealand sell race entries? No. Clients enter with the organisers, and we plan rooms, transfers and touring around the race.
Sources
- The Race 2027: entry process, Coast to Coast, checked 29 October 2026
- The Race, Coast to Coast, checked 29 October 2026
- The Course, Coast to Coast, checked 29 October 2026
- Spectators, Coast to Coast, checked 29 October 2026
- Coast to Coast (race)), Wikipedia, checked 29 October 2026
Talk to the trade desk
Explera DMC New Zealand trade desk — b2b@explera.co.nz, WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090, B2B portal b2b.expleradmc.com.
