Three weeks before the race, Swannanoa vegetable grower Kiesanowski dropped an attachment hose full of water with a metal buckle on the end onto his right foot. He broke his fourth toe and also suffered a fracture to his fifth toe with surgery recommended straight away. Iain McGregor/Stuff Ryan Kiesanowski cools himself on the mountain run of the Coast to Coast. Coast to Coast veteran Kiesanowski, who has competed in 14 races across the longest day, two-day and teams events, opted to put surgery on hold to line up on the start line. His 2020 race didn't go well, having to withdraw on the mountain run after copping a stray branch to the head. Not featuring in this year’s longest day was never an option – even with a busted toe.