2026 REGISTRATIONS
The Challenge Wanaka Multi event features a duathlon option where you can skip the kayak and complete a 45km mountain bike and a 14km trail run.
Competitors take on a 45km mountain bike through diverse trails, and finish with a 14km trail run showcasing the region’s breathtaking landscapes. Whether solo or in a team, this event promises an epic challenge in one of the world’s most scenic multisport destinations.
THE COURSE
Mountain Bike – 45km (Approx. 1hr 52min)
The Challenge Wānaka Multi bike course starts at T1 on the Newcastle Track, immediately putting riders onto a flowing singletrack along the true left of the Clutha River. From here, riders link onto the Devon Link Track and head toward Hāwea Flat, where the terrain begins to open up. The course transitions onto Lachlan Road before connecting into the School Route Track along Domain road, guiding athletes toward Lake Hāwea. This section mixes trail and some road riding, rewarding those who can adapt their pace and stay efficient as the terrain changes.
Reaching Hāwea, the course turns back toward Albert Town via the Hāwea River Track, coming out at Camp Hill Road. This is a key section of the course—flowing riverside singletrack that allows you to carry speed, but with enough variation to keep you working.
From there, riders head out along Camp Hill Road for a short 3km on the State Highway to Dublin Bay Road, where the course opens up again. Expect faster, more exposed riding here as you make your way toward Dublin Bay.The final phase brings you onto the iconic Deans Bank Trail—a flowing singletrack finish. It’s a rewarding but demanding way to close out the ride. This trail is known for its flowing design and continuous turns, making it both fun and physical.
This course is all about adaptability. It starts smooth and flowing, opens into more exposed and strategic riding, then finishes with one of Wānaka’s most iconic trail sections. It rewards athletes who can manage effort, stay efficient across changing terrain, and a bit of fun!
Gravel bikes are permitted this year, alongside mountain bikes. There is not seperate category, all will be classified as one category.
No aero bars are allowed on any bikes. E-bikes will not be permitted on the course. The proposed new course is subject to permissions.
Trail Run – 14km (Fast time – 1hr)
Run now starts in the Albert Town Camping Ground alongside SH6, run towards the bridge up onto the footbridge to cross the river to true right side of the river and continue up the river to the outlet river track. Follow this scenic track all the way up the river to the Outlet Motor Camp (be aware of other track users when on this single track section). Follow the arrows on the Beacon Point track and continue this track back to Wānaka via Eely Point. Ensure you follow arrows on tricky sections until you run around the Wānaka foreshore back to the Wānaka Watersports Facility – you have now completed the race, well done!
COURSE MAPS
BIKE COURSE
RUN COURSE
EVENT CATEGORIES
You may compete in the duathlon as an individual or team in one of the following categories:
- Duathlon Individual
- Duathlon team
- Secondary School Duathlon Individual
- Secondary School Duathlon Team
For secondary school students a parent or guardian needs to purchase the team online and they will become the Team Manager. During this process they will set up a Team Name and password. In their confirmation email the Team Manager will receive a link which they must send, along with the Team Name and password, to each athlete to complete their registration.
EVENT SCHEDULE
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER | ||
| 2.00pm – 7.00pm | Registration | Wānaka Watersports Facility |
| 5.00pm | Volunteer Briefing | Wānaka Watersports Facility |
| SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER | ||
| 6.00am | Kayak/Bike/Run transition open for bike drop off | Albert Town Camping Ground |
| 7.45am | Compulsory briefing at Kayak Start | Wānaka Watersports Facility |
| 8.00am | Multi Individuals Start | Wānaka Watersports Facility |
| 8.15am | Multi Teams Start | Wānaka Watersports Facility |
| 9.45am | Duathlon Briefing | |
| 10.00am | Duathlon Start | Newcastle Track (just North of the Luggate Red Bridge) |
| 10.30am | All athletes off water | Transition Albert Town |
| 12.30pm | First finisher expected | Wānaka Watersports Facility |
| 4.00pm | Prize Giving | Wānaka Watersports Facility |
| 5.00pm | Transition closed. Leaving any gear after this point is at the athletes’ risk as the transition will no longer be staffed. | |
| 5.00pm | Course cut off | |
OTHER INFORMATION
- Age Group categories for Individual New Zealand Multisport Championships for which trophies will be awarded to the top three in the following age groups:
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- 18-39 (Male & Female)
- 40-55 (Male & Female)
- 56 plus (Male & Female)
- 2 Person teams
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- Individual athletes must be a minimum of 18-years-old on race day. Secondary School Category Individual athletes must be a minimum of 16-years-old on race day.
- Team athletes must be a minimum of 16-years-old on race day. Younger team athletes may be able to compete at the discretion of the Race Director.
- Course closes at 5pm on race day. Athletes finishing after this time will get a DNF.
- Kayak cut-off for individuals and teams is 10:30am. Any athletes who finish after the cut off will get a DNF .
- All transitions will close at 5pm. Leaving any gear after this point is at the athlete’s risk as the transition will no longer be staffed.
- No drafting is permitted, with the exception of teams of two in the ‘Tandem’ who can draft on the cycle leg. The cycle draft zone is a ten metre long by three metre wide rectangle between the front wheel edge of the lead cycle and the front edge of the following cycle, extending each side of the cycle by 1.5 metre, measured from the leading edge of the front wheel. Another athlete has 20 seconds to pass through that zone. Likewise, once an athlete is passed they have 20 seconds to drop back out of the draft zone.
- Vehicle draft zone (including motorbikes) will be a rectangle thirty-five (35) metres long by five (5) meters wide, which surrounds every vehicle on the cycle segment. The front edge of the vehicle will define the centre of the leading 5 metre edge of the rectangle.
We recommend a bike check with our mates at Racers Edge or a local bike shop before competing. Each participant is responsible for the state or repair of his/her own bike. Bikes must have been serviced within three weeks of the event and be in a safe and roadworthy condition. Assistance by anyone other than event officials will be grounds for immediate disqualification. This disallows the use of spare wheels and back-up bikes and requires that each competitor be prepared to handle any possible mechanical malfunction.
All bikers must wear a helmet as per the specifications in the tab below and carry a repair kit.
The following helmet standards are required: ASTM – F1447-1994, Australia and NZ Standards – AS/NZS 2063:1996 or NZS 5439 or AS2063.2, Snell-B90 or B95, CE European Standards-EN1078, US Consumer Products Safety Standards – USCPS.
- Competitors must obey all traffic laws, traffic rules and the directions of Event officials and the Police. The road is open to normal traffic at all times, please be careful when running on and crossing roads.
- Hiking poles are permitted on the run but please do not obstruct other runners.
- Slower competitors must keep to the left with other competitors overtaking on the right.
All race numbers and transponders will be provided at registration on Friday only. Competitors must not alter the size or appearance of the race number and must wear it clearly and visibly on their front. Failure to do so will result in a disqualification.
You must wear the race number and transponder as directed by the Event officials.
You acknowledge that:
- if the transponder fails, you may not receive a time record and will have no claim against the Organiser or be entitled to a refund of your entry fee;
- you must pay $150 for any transponder that is not returned to the correct Event official.
No individual support vehicles or non-participant escort runners or cyclists are allowed. Friends, family members, coaches or supporters of any type may not bike, drive or run alongside competitors, may not pass food or other items to competitors and should be warned to stay completely clear of all participants to avoid the disqualification of a participant.