Speight’s Still Major Sponsor Of Coast To Coast

Competitors in next year’s Speight's Coast to Coast will continue to receive an ice cold can of Speight's as they cross the finish line of the internationally renowned multisport event.

Speight's has re-signed its sponsorship contract with race organiser Robin Judkins and will continue to be main sponsor, with naming rights of the challenging event which takes competitors from one side of the South Island to the other.

The renewal sees New Zealand Breweries continue its Coast to Coast sponsorship that first began back in 1983 – the first ever Coast to Coast race. Speight's has been sponsor for the last 11 years.

The contract between event organiser Robin Judkins, and Speight's was up for renewal after the 2000 event held earlier this year.

Speight's spokesperson David Barley said the brewery was constantly reviewing its sponsorship portfolio and after negotiations had decided to re-sign as main sponsor of the event.

“Our sponsorship of the Speight's Coast to Coast has had great benefits for Speight's - it has been particularly successful in linking the ‘Southern Man qualities’,” said Barley.

“We’re proud of the long and mutually beneficial association we’ve had with the Speight's Coast to Coast and we’re looking forward to the future, especially as the event is taken to new levels with developments such as prize money.”

Next year’s Speight's Coast to Coast will offer prize money to the winners for the first time. Ten thousand dollars is being offered to each male and female winner of the one-day Longest Day event.

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“The event is well-regarded both here and overseas and it’s important that it continues to grow and develop. As a sponsor, we see this as a great step forward,” said Barley.

A corporate teams event will also be introduced for the first time next year.

The Speight's Coast to Coast is a 238km race starting at Kumara Beach on the West Coast, crossing the Southern Alps and finishing at Christchurch’s Sumner Beach. It comprises six demanding legs: a 2.8km run, 58km cycle, 26km mountain run, 15km cycle, 67km kayak and finishes with a 70km cycle. Teams or individuals can compete over two days, or attempt the “Longest Day” one-day event.

The millennium event saw 875 athletes from throughout New Zealand and overseas racing against each other.

The sponsorship agreement between Speight's and Robin Judkins is for the next three years.

ENDS