Challenge Wanaka has announced a new three-year charity partnership with Cystic Fibrosis NZ that will provide a new dimension to New Zealand’s largest annual triathlon festival, which features over 2,000 participants. The event has also announced leading local property manager and activity booking agent, Accommodation & Reservations Wanaka as its new volunteer sponsor.
Challenge Wanaka, which takes place in Lake Wanaka on 18 January, is part of the global Challenge Family series with 22 events held all around the world.
Cystic Fibrosis NZ
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is New Zealand’s most common genetic condition and leads to serious deterioration in the lungs and a shortened life. The charity will be raising funds through Challenge Wanaka for its Breath4CF fund that gives grants to all people with CF to participate in sport and physical exercise.
“We are thrilled to be able to support CFANZ through Challenge Wanaka,” said Race Director, Victoria Murray-Orr. “Giving our competitors something so important to raise money for adds a special dimension to the race. There is also a great connection between the participants using their breath for CF and the work of the association that enables those affected by cystic fibrosis to take part in sport.”
“We want to make fundraising for our cause fun but meaningful at the same time,” added Kate Russell, CEO of CFANZ. “It’s a chance for anyone competing to do something good for their community along the way without it detracting from their focus on the race.”
The charity will also be running a sign-making ‘Creation Station’, where supporters can make a sign for their friend or family member who is taking part and raise money for Breathe4CF at the same time.
Accommodation & Reservations Wanaka
Challenge Wanaka has confirmed that leading local property manager and activity booking agent, Accommodation & Reservations Wanaka, is its new volunteer sponsor. The company is also offering special rates for Challenge Wanaka athletes and their supporters as part of its sponsorship package.
The agreement marks a significant step up in Accommodation & Reservations Wanaka’s support for New Zealand’s largest annual triathlon festival, with members of its team having previously taken part as both competitors and volunteers themselves.
Director, Andrew MacKenzie said the company relished the opportunity to become more involved with a popular local event that made a big difference to the local community…
“Challenge Wanaka is a very good fit with our role in the local economy and we were keen to support the army of volunteers who give up their time to make the event happen. Sponsorship also makes perfect commercial sense when you think of all the hundreds of athletes plus their families and support crew heading to town – they’ll all need somewhere to stay and can lean on our local knowledge of what will suit them,” he said.
Owned and managed by two Wanaka families, Accommodation & Reservations Wanaka offers the largest range of accommodation in the town and surrounding areas, specialising in helping teams and groups source accommodation appropriate to their specialist needs. It also acts as a booking agent for many local tour operators.
Challenge Wanaka race director, Victoria Murray-Orr welcomed the company’s sponsorship as an acknowledgement of the volunteers without whom the week’s events could not take place.
“We rely on the fantastic efforts of around six hundred volunteers every year. It’s really simple – no vollies, no Challenge Wanaka! Most of these amazing people are locals which shows how much this event means to the community here, whether they know any of the athletes or not, so it’s awesome that a great local company has come on board to support them and also provide ‘locals’ rate’ to everyone who’s coming from elsewhere in New Zealand and around the world.
Billed as the world’s most scenic long distance triathlon, Challenge Wanaka is set against the lake and mountain backdrop of Mount Aspiring National Park in New Zealand’s South Island. Described by athletes as one of the best events on the international circuit, Challenge Wanaka’s terrain, remoteness and honesty of the course makes it one of the most memorable.
www.challengewanaka.com
www.cfnz.org.nz
www.accommodationwanaka.com
