Former Black Stick Finishes Coast to Coast With Daughters

When Gemma McCaw ran under the Coast to Coast banner Saturday, she wasn't alone. Her three daughters joined her for the final steps, turning a personal achievement into a family celebration.

The former Black Stick hockey player teamed up with para-athlete Shaz Dagg for the two-day tandem event, covering 243 kilometers from New Zealand's West Coast to Christchurch across the Southern Alps. Their partnership began at a speaking event in Dannevirke, where someone suggested the duo tackle one of New Zealand's most iconic endurance races together.

For Dagg, crossing the finish line meant redemption. In 2024, a serious bike crash just five kilometers from transition left her with a broken collarbone and humerus, forcing her out of the race. The experience devastated her, but the pull of the event never faded.

The two-day race tested both women's limits. Starting Friday, they pushed through rain and challenging terrain while friends, family, and volunteers cheered them on along the route.

Why This Inspires

McCaw's finish line moment shows how athletic achievement and motherhood can beautifully coexist. By bringing her daughters into that final triumphant stretch, she gave them a front-row seat to persistence and partnership.

Her post-race gratitude extended far beyond the course. She thanked her in-laws for childcare support and her husband, former All Black Richie McCaw, "for everything." She even acknowledged friends who lent her forgotten shoes.

"These moments are never achieved alone," McCaw said, recognizing the volunteers, race organizers, and support crew who made the journey possible. Her words remind us that behind every personal victory stands a community of supporters.

For Dagg, the race proved that devastating setbacks don't have to be final chapters. Two years after her crash ended her 2024 attempt, she returned to conquer the course that once defeated her.

Together, these two athletes showed that comebacks are sweeter when shared with others.