A record number of swimmers, bikers and runners of all ages and abilities are about to put months of training to the ultimate test as the Challenge Wanaka triathlon festival gets underway this coming weekend.
The flagship event, Challenge Wanaka, on Saturday has attracted some of the world’s best professional triathletes to New Zealand’s South Island.
Widely recognised on the international circuit as the world’s most scenic long-distance triathlon, the course begins with a 3.8km swim followed by a 180km bike around Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea before athletes begin a full 42.2km marathon run along the shores of Lake Wanaka.
More than 1,600 athletes will tackle Challenge Wanaka and its sister event, the Lake Wanaka Half this year.
Every year, the Challenge Wanaka Sports Trust makes donations to local causes as part of its volunteer programme. In addition, for the first time this year Challenge Wanaka has an official charity in Cystic Fibrosis NZ.
The flagship event, Challenge Wanaka long distance triathlon is part of the renowned Challenge Family global series of triathlons which features 23 races in 14 countries, including the world’s largest long distance triathlon, Challenge Roth in Germany.
