Coro Classic just first course for hot favourite with another goal in mind

Rachel Cashin is aiming for a 10th Coast to Coast. Picture / APN

King Country multisport athlete Rachel Cashin is tossing up whether she'll take on the Coast to Coast One Day event in 2013. If she does, she'll achieve a special milestone.

"I have a little goal as it would be my 10th One Day so maybe I should do it because 10 of them is no mean feat," said the 40-year-old vet from Taumarunui.

It seems like Cashin has already made her mind up but she's waiting for her body to be ready. Helping in that process is the demanding two-day adventure race, The Coromandel Classic, next weekend.

Cashin, who won by seven min-utes in 2011 from Anyika Thomsen in a time of 11:42:48, is a four-time champion. She loves the event because it signals summer is coming.

The multisport enthusiast is the hot favourite to defend her women's title. Cashin has been competing in multisport events for 10 years after starting off in the team's events and moving to individual. "I do love the Coro classic," said Cashin, who placed 20th overall last year. "First of all it gets you going for the season, making you do some training in winter as you always have this race in the back of your mind and it's two days so you need to have some fitness behind you.

Cashin said it was great to win the title again last year after a mishap in the first kayak in 2010 lost her the title. She's looking for a solid performance over The Pinnacles as she eyes bigger goals later in the year at the Motu and the Lake to Lighthouse.

At the same time, she's mindful of being considered the one to beat.

"There's the pressure that you should win or do really well but now I try to put that out of my head and just go to have a good time, catch up with people and enjoy myself."

Cashin's training hasn't been ideal as she chases a fifth victory in the event that is in its 13th year.

"This year my training has been a bit stop start with a few niggles in my calves to work around, and also work has been a bit more hectic. I've been packing it in the last few weeks so hopefully with my base it will all come right on the day."

The Coromandel Classic is the sort of event that examines your training.

"A two-day race is always going to be a mission," she said. "You have to wake up and perform again the next day with pretty sore muscles after the first day run.

"Once you get going you're sweet till you need to run over the range again. It's enjoyable when you finish though. If you win, the pain goes away faster."

It's a feeling that she has become fairly familiar with. Cashin enjoys mixing with all the athletes of differing abilities. "If you didn't have these people racing of all capabilities then there would be no race. It's always good sharing stories afterwards as well."

A win next weekend would be a nice story to share. It could also be the catalyst for a 10th Coast to Coast.