Challenge Wānaka is internationally renowned as the world’s most scenic middle distance triathlon, set in New Zealand’s spectacular Southern Alps and the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area. As New Zealand’s largest triathlon festival, it features events for over 2,500 participants ranging from top professional athletes to age-group competitors from all over the world.
Key Highlights:
Recognised as Challenge Family’s 2024 Most Eco-Friendly Race, Challenge Wānaka prioritises sustainability efforts to protect the surrounding lakes, mountains, and local ecosystem.
The Puzzling World Junior Challenge is a highlight of the festival, welcoming hundreds of young athletes from Years 1 to 6. It offers a fun, safe, and supportive environment for kids to experience the thrill of triathlon.
Swim: Rectangular buoyed course in Roys Bay on Lake Wānaka. Bike: Racers Edge 80km fast, rolling two-lap route from Wānaka township towards Treble Cone Ski Field, passing Glendhu Bay. Run: Kinisi lakeside trail route starting along Ardmore Street and following the shore.
Challenge Wānaka offers one of the most stunning swim courses in the world, set with the breathtaking backdrop of the Southern Alps in Roys Bay on the lakefront of Wānaka. The swim follows a rectangular route, marked by buoys, offering a scenic yet challenging start to your race day.
The Racers Edge Bike Course is a spectacular 80km journey showcasing iconic Southern Alps scenery. This fast, rolling two-lap route runs from the heart of Wānaka township out towards the base of the Treble Cone Ski Field, past Glendhu Bay, then returns along the same road twice.
The Kinisi Run Course showcases the beauty of Lake Wānaka’s shoreline, taking athletes on an out-and-back lap that is both scenic and fast. Starting in the heart of Wānaka township, runners head out along Ardmore Street before joining the lakeside trail, hugging the water’s edge with panoramic views across the lake to mountain peaks beyond.