Her love of exploring the outdoors helped newbie Kathryn Bunckenburg to win top place in the recent Kathmandu Coast to Coast two day event.
The Ara Institute of Canterbury Bachelor of Sustainability and Outdoor Education graduate was the first female across the line after 243km of cycling, running and kayaking in one of the world's longest running and most iconic multi-sports events.
With just eight weeks preparation, Kathryn completed the gruelling course in 14:10:58 – 12 minutes in front of her nearest competitor - and even enjoyed the experience.
“The first day was really challenging, because it was a whole lot of proper cycle racing. The first mountain run I enjoyed, but I was under pressure. It was harder than I thought. I loved the second day. I spent four hours on a river and I just love that,” she says.
She competed in races while studying, including representing New Zealand in a world triathlon in Australia. Challenging herself is simply second nature, in her sports and in her studies.
Having graduated in 2015, Kathryn is now in her element working as an outdoor instructor in Wellington, where she tutors children in outdoor activities such as rock climbing and tramping.