Police urge extra care on roads as visitors pour in to West Coast for big weekend of sporting events

Several thousand visitors are expected in Greymouth for the start of the 34th Kathmandu Coast to Coast tomorrow morning, and in Westport on Saturday for the 35th Buller Marathon. Photo / Supplied

People have started pouring into the West Coast for a big weekend of sporting events from Westport to Kumara.

Several thousand visitors are expected in Greymouth for the start of the 34th Kathmandu Coast to Coast tomorrow morning, and in Westport for the 35th Buller Marathon, on Saturday.

The Coast to Coast has drawn 700 starters and the Buller Marathon 1700, and together with their support crews and family and friends the West Coast will be bursting at the seams.

A further 360 competitors are entered in the Rosco Contractors 2017 Gold Nuggets motocross event at Waipuna Station over both days this weekend.

Former world No 2 rider Josh Coppins will be competing, along with 100 "mini" riders.

Other events this weekend include the inaugural "One Month to Go" concert on the Hokitika beach from 4pm on Sunday, a month out from the Wildfoods Festival.

Shantytown will hold its annual Heritage Day, the Westland Rose Society is hosting a South Island-wide exhibition in Greymouth, and the Westland Golf Classic has drawn golfers from around the South Island to the Kaiata links for two days.

West Coast police prevention manager senior sergeant Vicki Walker said that with all the extra people arriving in the district, motorists needed to be patient and drive safely.

"There are going to be a lot of extra vehicles on the road during the weekend, starting tomorrow with the Coast to Coast, motorists need to take extra care."