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Set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Wānaka and the Southern Alps, the Gallagher Insurance Challenge Wānaka 100 is one of the world’s most breathtaking and rewarding middle-distance triathlons.
This iconic race, held as part of the Gallagher Insurance Festival of Triathlon, takes athletes on a spectacular journey through pristine landscapes, featuring a 2km swim in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Wānaka, a 80km bike ride through the rolling countryside, and a 18km run along the scenic Clutha River trails.
Renowned for its friendly community atmosphere and world-class course, Challenge Wānaka offers a true test of endurance in an unparalleled natural setting. Whether you’re an elite competitor, an age-group athlete, or taking on your first half-distance triathlon, this event delivers an unforgettable experience.
This event is open to both teams and individuals. Athletes must be 18 years or over.
Join us for a race like no other—where adventure meets endurance in the heart of New Zealand’s Southern Lakes region.
THE COURSE
Swim Course 2km (1 lap)
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! Direction and sighting points to be confirmed.
Lake Wānaka, New Zealand’s fourth-largest lake, spans an incredible 180 km², with a length of 45.5 km and depths of up to 300 meters. In February, the water temperature in Roys Bay should settle around 15°C, making wetsuits compulsory, along with caps (which will be provided). While the lake can range from 10-11°C in winter to 20°C in summer, 15-17°C is typical for race day.
Lake swimming differs from the sea—so you’ll notice less buoyancy. While Roys Bay can be completely calm, don’t get too comfortable! Conditions can quickly change on the lake depending on wind speed, and significant chop could add an extra layer of difficulty to your swim.
Whether it’s calm waters or a choppy challenge, this swim course will test your limits and treat you to unmatched views.
Bike Course Coming soon…
Distance: 80km
Run Course
Distance: 18 km (2 laps)
Terrain: Lakeside trails, sealed paths, gentle hills
Elevation: Rolling with a moderate climb after 7 km
The Run Course showcases the stunning beauty of Lake Wānaka’s shoreline, taking athletes on an out-and-back lap that’s 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 the mountain peaks beyond.
After an initial flat section, the course gently undulates, with a few short rises and descents that keep things interesting without being overly technical. The route is mostly on sealed paths and well-formed trails, making for smooth running underfoot.
The course features multiple aid stations spaced strategically at key points: near the start/finish area, at Bremner Bay, and at the turnaround at Beacon Point Beach. Runners pass the Bremner Bay aid station in both directions, ensuring plenty of hydration and energy support.
There is a steep climb after the 7 km mark, where the path leads up to join Beacon Pt Road footpath for a long straight, before rewarding runners with an easy descent back to Bremner Bay and then on towards town to commence their second lap.
With its combination of spectacular scenery, great crowd support near the township, spectator friendly points along the course and a runnable, well-marked route, the Run Course is the perfect way to finish your Challenge Wānaka experience strong.
Follow signage to head back out for the second lap. On second return, follow signage to finish line.
EVENT CATEGORIES
The event is open to both team and individuals. All athletes must be over 18. Teams can be made up of 2 or 3 members, each taking on one of the disciplines or someone doing 2 of them.
Secondary School Teams are to be made up of 4 or 5 athletes, all over 16 years old, consisting of one swimmer; one or two cyclists and two runners (any teams wanting to compete with fewer team members please contact the Race Director). All Secondary Schools teams MUST have 2 runners who will do approximately 10.5km each.
This event offers a number of categories for individuals and teams to compete as follows:
- Age Group Individual
- Age Group Team (2 or 3 person) – Male, Female, Mixed
- Corporate Team (2 or 3 person)
- Secondary School Team (4 or 5 person)
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Course cut off times will be confirmed along with the event schedule closer to the event date:
Swim course closes at 9.30am
Bike course closes at 1.30pm
Run course closes at 5.00pm
- Individual athletes must be 18 years of age or older on 20 February 2027. Secondary School Team athletes must be 16 years of age or older on 20 February 2027 (unless pre-approved by the Race Director).
- If you are under the age of 18, your parent or legal guardian must complete the online entry process on your behalf and must accept full responsibility for your compliance with these terms and conditions.
- Age group categories will be decided in line with Tri NZ rules. The age limits will be calculated on 31 December in the year of the competition except for School and College competitions where the student’s age on 1 January in the year of competition shall be used.
- A final decision on the course will take place by 6.00am with an announcement made over the PA system in the Event Hub area.
- If the weather and course conditions mean that the swim is unable to take place at all, the event will revert to a duathlon as a last resort. In the case of a duathlon, the initial run is 3km which will start by the Swim Exit and run up 1.5km and back along the run course. The start will be in waves, as per the intended swim waves.
- If the weather prevents both the swim and the bike legs taking place, a half marathon will be considered.
- Any changes to the course are at the full discretion of the Race Director and will be made with athlete safety as the utmost importance.
Bike Aid Station
There is one main aid station on the bike course but it can be accessed in either direction on each lap.
Each bike course aid station will have the following nutrition supplies:
- Water
- PURE Sports Nutrition Electrolyte drink
- PURE gels
Anyone seen littering will incur instant disqualification.
The PURE electrolyte drink and water is served in drink bottles on the understanding that athletes will return empty bottles at the same time. No bottle, no drink. There is a bottle drop zone immediately prior to and after each aid station. Please do not drop bottles in any other place on course. Anyone seen dropping bottles outside of the drop zones will incur instant disqualification.
Run Aid Stations
There are 3 aid stations on the run course and the Red Bull energy point. Aid stations can be used in both directions on both laps.
Each run course aid station will have the following nutrition supplies in the below order:
- Water
- PURE Electrolyte Drink
- PURE gels
- Coke
- Bananas
- Jet Planes
- Water
To reduce waste, you MUST carry your own hydration container i.e. refillable cup or bottle. Volunteers at the aid stations will refill vessels efficiently. Be ready to call out “PURE or Water” on approach.
There will be specific litter zones at the aid stations and this is the only place where litter can be dropped. Anyone seen littering will incur instant disqualification.
Please note: there are portaloos for athletes use at every aid station.
Challenge Wanaka is home to the world’s most scenic triathlon set in the stunning backdrop of Wānaka New Zealand. At the heart of this event, is our unwavering commitment to sustainability, where water quality and environmental consciousness drive every decision we make. As such we consider our environmental impact in every aspect of our race planning and staging and strive to minimize our impact to the best of our abilities.
Our Sustainability and Waste Management Policy reflects our dedication to continuous improvement, maintaining robust relationships with waste management suppliers.
As custodians of this breathtaking environment, we collaborate with local stakeholders to ensure Challenge Wanaka seamlessly integrates with the town’s values and activities.
Our core objective: To reduce the impact of the event on the environment by creating a zero-waste event reducing carbon emissions and fossil fuel energy consumption.
We’d appreciate your help in aiding us achieve our sustainability and waste minimisation objectives
We are working with Wanaka Wastebusters to ensure the event has a minimum impact on the local environment. Please use the waste and recycling bins, paying attention to the signage.
Please leave all drink bottles, cups and food wrappers at the aid stations with the volunteers rather than discarding them along the course. Athletes dropping anything outside the Aid Station drop zones will be disqualified.
To help prevent the spread of freshwater pests we encourage you if you’re out on or in the water swimming take a moment to:
your wetsuit for stowaway pests and remove these either or by putting them in the rubbish bin,
your gear thoroughly, and
it for 48 hours before relocating to another waterway!
Check, Clean, Dry, vastly reduces the risk of aquatic pests hitchhiking from one waterway to another aboard our vessels and gear.
For more information see following handouts or visit Otago Regional Council Guidelines
View Race Rules
View Terms and Conditions
