RWC Noosa and Sunshine Coast agent Josh Harris has had a last-minute call up to participate in New Zealand’s Kathmandu Coast to Coast race.
The multisport event involves a two-day, 243km bike, run, and kayak race from Kumara Beach on the South Island to New Brighton Beach in Christchurch on the South Island.
Josh (pictured with friend and fellow contestant Dave Slater) is a seasoned multisport athlete, having competed in his first Coast to Coast in 2011. This year, Josh will be part of a team event in which he will complete the kayak portion of the race.
“I crewed for a mate in 2010 and I was hooked,” he said.
“I competed in my first individual race in 2011, as well as completing individual races in 2014 and 2015, and winning the tandem race with a mate, Dave Slater, in 2020.
“I had planned to do the individual race again in 2026, but had not intended to race in 2025.”
However, when Josh saw a callout for a desperate team looking for a paddler, Josh threw his hat in the ring.
“I am racing with two 20-year-old women who haven’t competed in the Coast to Coast before, Kyah Young (bike) and Bree Monaghan (run),” he said.
“I will meet them for the first time when I arrive in New Zealand on Thursday, before the race starts on Friday and Saturday.
“I had only a month to train. Going from zero to being ready for a race in 30 days is really hard.
“I’ve been paddling on the Maroochy River, which is a lot smoother than the river on race day, but I did get quite a fright when I had a run in with a bull shark this week!”
While he has never encountered a bull shark during the Coast to Coast before, he did come up against rugby great Ritchie McCaw and Rob Nichol in the tandem race in 2020.
“Ritchie and Rob were the favourites to win, but we were able to come out on top which was amazing,” Josh said.
“We biked with them and started the run next to them but we were able to pull away over the rest of the run stage.
“It’s probably the deepest and hardest I’ve had to work, but it’s the proudest one I’ve done.”
The former banker started his career in commercial real estate three years ago after deciding it was time for a career change.
“RWC Noosa and Sunshine Coast business owners Paul Butler and Paul Forrest were clients of mine when I worked at Macquarie Bank,” he said.
“When I mentioned I was looking for a career change, they asked if I’d be interested in becoming a commercial agent, and I jumped at the opportunity.”
Josh said a lot of what motivated him in his sporting career also motivated him in his real estate career.
“It’s that determination and drive. I’ve always been really driven in everything that I do,” he said.
“My aim is always to do my best and push myself as hard as I can.”
To get in touch with Josh either call him on 0452 604 478 or email josh.harris@raywhite.com
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