5 running, triathlon, and ultra events in Wānaka, Otago

Challenge Wanaka features one of the world’s toughest and most honest triathlon courses set against the stunning alpine backdrop of New Zealand’s Southern Alps and the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area.

It is New Zealand’s largest triathlon festival, featuring events for all ages and abilities involving over 2,000 participants, attracting 10,000 spectators and a global audience of millions.

Event details and schedule

Part of the legendary Challenge Family global series of middle distance triathlons, renowned the world over for their memorable events, Challenge Wanaka is the race of a lifetime for athletes wanting to compete and holiday in paradise.

Watch over 1,500 top professional and amateur athletes from all over the globe compete on the world’s most scenic course in the 1.9km swim in crystal clear waters, the 90km bike alongside an alpine lake and the 21.1km run around Lake Wanaka’s stunning landcape.

The festival includes the Junior and Intermediate Challenges for budding triathletes aged six to fifteen, the Adaptive and Secondary Schools Challenge.

The week culminates with the flagship Challenge Wanaka race on Saturday which features both the middle distance race and Aquabike race. Thousands of spectators line the route and finish chute cheering on these inspirational contenders as they compete in the most arduous of the triathlon disciplines.