In December each year, Australia’s premier ultramarathon runners attempt the 240km Coast To Kosciuszko. Affectionately known as Coast To Kosci, the run from the beach to Australia’s highest peak is a special race on almost every serious Australian ultramarathon runner’s bucket list. A number of past finishers nominate Coast To Kosci as ‘their favourite race’ surpassing other races including The Western States, Leadville and UTMB.
The concept of the 240km Coast to Kosciuszko ultramarathon was initially floated by Paul Every at Sydney’s Orient Hotel during the winter of 2004. That November, Paul, Diane Weaver and Sean Greenhill scouted and set the course from Boydtown Beach near Eden in southern NSW to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko, and on to the finish at Charlotte Pass.
Then it all came together on 10 December 2004 when Paul, Sean, Jan Herrmann and Lawrence Mead assembled for the inaugural race. The event was unofficial and unsanctioned in the tradition of FatAss ultramarathon events. Paul, Jan and Sean completed the course, with Lawrence succumbing to injury. Paul was first to summit Mount Kosciuszko before arriving at the Charlotte Pass finish line with Jan in 39hrs 27mins.
The 2005 and 2006 editions of Coast to Kosci were again unofficial events however it was increasingly evident Coast to Kosci held a strong appeal for local ultramarathon runners. Through the support of Disability Services Australia and the administrative capabilities of the late Ian Cornelius (the then President of the Australian UltraRunners Association – AURA), Coast to Kosci became an official race in 2007.
Paul Every and Diane Weaver created, nurtured and grew Coast To Kosci into a very special boutique race that became the annual highlight for many ultramarathon runners.
Coast To Kosci was not held in 2018 and 2019 before returning in 2020 under new organisers and Race Directors Greg Wallace and Mickey Campbell. Greg and Mickey have signalled that the spirit and special feel of Coast To Kosci created by Paul and Diane will remain and they look forward to welcoming future runners and support crews into the Coast To Kosci family.
In 16 races, 308 runners from Australia and around the world have crossed the finish line for a total of 572 finishes. 85.50% of start-line entrants finish the race! First-time finishers receive an iconic Australian Akubra hat and a Coast To Kosci hat pin. Each subsequent finish earns the finisher another hat pin.
