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Press, 6 March 1985, Page 64

Looking remarkably fresh after his sterling efforts in the punishing endurance race in the Golden Bay area at the week-end, Andrew Macbeth, aged 17, of Christchurch, prepares for a relaxed spin on his faithful racing bike yesterday. In the background is his kayak, which he paddled across the Cobb reservoir in the second

leg of the race. Rod Dixon would have eaten his heart out on learning of Andrew’s staminasapping feat. As well as running the equivalent of the marathon distance, across country and on the road, the Christchurch “iron boy” also paddled his kayak and then rode his bike 60km on a gut-busting course over

the Takaka Hill. Unlike the Coast-to-Coast contest, from Kumara beach to Christchurch, which took two days, the Takaka endurance event was compressed into -one day. In spite of having little knowledge of kayaking, or much experience as a runner, Andrew Macbeth came home a clear winner

in just over six hours.

He sacrificed a chance to compete in the New Zealand cycling championships in Levin this week to take part in the gruelling Golden Bay race. It was his ability as a cyclist which saw him through, for he made up 35min in this section to overhaul the leaders.