Multisports: Ussher leaves rivals trailing in her wake

Elina Ussher won by more than 30 minutes. Photo / Getty Images

Elina Ussher completed the much-anticipated family double with her easy victory in the women's longest day challenge yesterday.

One-time bridesmaid Ussher joined husband Richard (a three-time winner in the past five years but a non-starter this time) as a winner in most emphatic style.

She beat Louise Mark by more than 30 minutes with Sophie Hart (Nelson) third another 10 minutes back. Three-time winner and defending champion Emily Miazga stormed home from well back to finish fourth.

Ussher said while disappointed with the shortened course - and vowing to return next year to contest the "real" Coast to Coast - she was "rapt" to win in such testing conditions.

"Running the road rather than the mountain run is actually harder on your legs. I don't do much road running," Ussher said. "But, [the call to shorten the race and take out the mountain run and long kayak legs] was ... the right call."

She was not so keen on the early cycle ride from Kumara Beach to Aickens Corner.

"That ride was quite scary. It was dark and with all the rain we quickly ran out of brakes. Then the run to Klondyke was a real test. It is probably the longest I have ever run on the road."

With her husband in support - and unlike some, sticking to the rules in not handing food from their support vehicle - Ussher paced herself brilliantly.

"I held back on the run up and over Arthur's Pass and then it was simply a case of listening to my legs."

Her husband was quick to praise his wife.

"The big thing in conditions like this is to take care of yourself," said Richard Ussher, who didn't discount the possibility of returning to compete for a fourth title next year.

"She did that very well and eventually wore the others down."