Rotorua multisporter Mark Beesly is on track to take out his division in the two-day event of this year's Speight's Coast to Coast.
The 50-year-old was second overall on the first day of the two-day event in Greymouth yesterday, behind Nathan Bell of Christchurch, who came home in 5h 11m 16s.
Beesly's time was 5h 12m 06s and he leads the classic men's over-50 division. He told The Daily Post he was happy with the placing but thought his time was a bit slow. "That was harder than I expected."
The 10-plus year veteran said the going was "tough" but he would be looking to pick up his performance today for the last 152km of the 243km race.
Beesly's second day, which started at 6am, includes a 15km cycle, 67km kayak and 70km cycle.