Race has spinoff value

Press, 29 January 1986, Page 30

Race has spinoff value

There is great “spinoff’ value for small towns along the route of the Steinlager Coast to Coast race in the opinion of the race organiser, Mr Robin Judkins.

says. “The lion’s share of the accommodation in Kumara is booked out a year in advance of the race while the majority of the remainder of people

The race, from Kumara on the West Coast to Sumner beach in the east, is one of the two big events that comes to the sleepy West Coast town of Kumara each year. “The first is the great Kumara race meeting and the second is the Coast to Coast evept.

associated with the events camp in a “tent city” at the Kumara Racecourse. “Hotels and motels in Greymouth and Hokitika also benefit,” he says. “Over 1000 people descend on Arthurs Pass on the Saturday of the event and I believe that the restaurant. there has one

“Each year the Parent Teacher Association from the local school caters for a pre-race function, feeding some 600 competitors, officials and assistants,” he says.

of its best nights. Of course a lot of the other places up there do well too,” he says. “The motels are usually booked up well in advance and the mountain huts and cabins are quite

“The profit from that dinner in 1983 enabled them to pay off their debts while in 1984 they were able to buy some new playground equip-

full,” he adds. One of the service stations on the route makes certain it has its tanks full for the event, such is the demand, says

ment,” he says. “Last year they were able to buy two personal computers, two colour

Mr Judkins. “Even Christchurch reaps the benefits of the event,” he says.

televisions, and two tape “The Christchurch recorders. This year, I Town Hall caters for as believe they are looking many as 1500 at the prizeat video equipment,” he giving dinner after.”