Part of Challenge Family‘s international series, the 19th edition of Challenge Wānaka is taking place in New Zealand on February 13-15, 2025.
The Gallagher Insurance Challenge Wānaka Half is the marquee event within the wider Gallagher Insurance Challenge Wānaka Festival running across the event weekend. Positioned as a multi-day celebration of endurance sport, the festival draws thousands of athletes and spectators to Wanaka, a resort town on New Zealand’s South Island.
This year’s race features a revamped swim, bike, and run course, designed to provide views and challenging terrain, making it a bucket list event for both seasoned pros and first-time competitors.
The Challenge Wanaka event team points out that this year’s event features over 2,900 age group athletes competing in all races across the event weekend.
The festival weekend also includes a range of events, with over 2,100 children competing in the Puzzling World Mini, Junior and Intermediate Challenges, the Mitre 10 Mega Adaptive Challenge, and Secondary Schools Challenge. Since 2013, more than 11,000 young athletes have taken part.
The Mitre 10 Mega Adaptive Challenge ensures inclusivity for 40 athletes with disabilities, while the Secondary Schools Challenge draws over 350 top young triathletes, serving as the Otago Secondary School Triathlon Championship.
The updated course features views of Lake Wānaka and New Zealand’s Southern Alps. This year the event’s oldest competitor is 80 years old, with the youngest being 2 years old.
