KEY POINTS:
Two-time winner Richard Ussher has a lead of around three minutes after the midway point of the 33 kilometre mountain run in the Coast to Coast multisport race.
Ussher has recently reached the top of Goat Pass ahead of the group of athletes which includes defending champion Gordon Walker.
South African Jeannie Bomford is still the leading woman but defending women's champion Fleur Pawsey is not far behind her.
One of the pre-race contenders Elina Ussher has dropped back after a puncture on the opening cycle leg.
Slow times are expected for today's race because of the low water levels in the Waimakariri River.
- NEWSTALK ZB
