REGISTRATION
Part of the iconic Challenge Wānaka Festival of Triathlon, the Puzzling World Intermediate Challenge invites Year 7 and 8 students to experience the excitement of triathlon in a fun, safe, and supportive environment. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or giving triathlon a go for the first time, you can race individually or as part of a team of up to three people.
Set in the heart of Wānaka, the course takes you along the stunning lakefront — with a swim close to shore in Lake Wānaka, a scenic bike ride beside the water, and a run that finishes with a red carpet moment through the official Challenge Wānaka finish line. Every participant will receive a medal as a proud reminder of their achievement, thanks to the generous support of Puzzling World.
Join hundreds of other young athletes and feel like a champion at the finish!
REGISTRATION CATEGORIES
REGISTRATIONS NOW CLOSED. Email [email protected] with any queries.
We’re proud to offer a subsidised entry fee for local students thanks to the support of the Challenge Wānaka Sports Trust and our generous sponsor, Puzzling World.
Holy Family and Mount Aspiring College school will be provided with a unique registration code. This code must be used at checkout to access the discounted rate.
All students from Mount Aspiring College (MAC) must complete a parent consent form to participate in this race. The consent forms will be emailed to you directly from the school after you complete your registration. Consents are due by February 9th 2026.
Individual entry fee is $17
For teams, each team member will need to pay a $17 entry fee.
Extra fees may be applied to cover transport and additional staffing. This is decided by each individual school and will show up at check-out.
Please note: we are unable to offer refunds if the code is not used during registration. Extra fees may be applied to cover transport and additional staffing. This is decided by each individual school and will show up at check-out.
All eligible students can register online once registrations open.
Team Registration:
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.
We’re proud to offer a reduced entry fee for local students, made possible through the support of the Challenge Wānaka Sports Trust and our sponsor, Puzzling World.
Each participating school will receive a unique registration code that must be entered at checkout to access the discounted rate. Local homeschool families can contact the Challenge Wānaka Trust directly to receive their unique homeschool code, please email [email protected]
Please note, we are unable to issue refunds if the correct code is not used during registration.
Eligible students can register online once entries open.
The entry fee for the 2026 race will be:
Individual entry fee is $17
For teams, each team member will need to pay a $17 entry fee.
Team Registration:
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.
All competitors from outside the region, entry fee is:
Years 7-8 $32
Team Registration:
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.
There will be no on the day entries.
EVENT SCHEDULE
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| FRIDAY 20 FEBRUARY | ||
| 6.45am | Car Park Opens | Showgrounds |
| 7.00am – 8.30am | Bike Transition opens Race Pack & Transponder pick up available for all athletes |
Registration Tent |
| 9.15am | Race Briefing | Lakefront Swim Start |
| 9.30am | RACE START: Year 7 Boys | Lakefront Swim Start |
| 9.35am | RACE START: Year 7 Girls | Lakefront Swim Start |
| 9.40am | RACE START: Year 8 Boys | Lakefront Swim Start |
| 9.45am | RACE START: Year 8 Girls | Lakefront Swim Start |
| 9.50am | RACE START: Year 7 & 8 Mixed Teams | Lakefront Swim Start |
| 9.55am | RACE START: Year 7 Boys Teams | Lakefront Swim Start |
| 10.00am | RACE START: Year 7 Girls Teams | Lakefront Swim Start |
| 10.05am | RACE START: Year 8 Boys Teams | Lakefront Swim Start |
| 10.10am | RACE START: Year 8 Girls Teams | Lakefront Swim Start |
| 11.15am | Prizegiving | TBC |
OTHER INFORMATION
- Course closes at 11.15am on race day. Athletes finishing after this time will get a DNF.
- All transitions will close at 11.45am. Leaving any gear after this point is at the athlete’s risk as the transition will no longer be staffed.
If you are under the age of 18, your parent or legal guardian must complete the registration process on your behalf and must accept full responsibility for your compliance with these terms and conditions.
All race numbers will be received in the registration pack. Local schools will receive these on race week to hand out to students. Racers from outside the area will receive their race packs from registration on Thursday night or Friday morning. Transponders will be provided at registration on Friday only. Competitors must not alter the size or appearance of the race number and must wear their race number clearly and visibly. Failure to do so will result in a disqualification.
Event Tracking
All Intermediate athletes will wear a transponder.
Please note and 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.
Children will compete in year group waves, two minutes apart with waves. This ensures that the swim is safe, and they can move easily through the Transition area while allowing the event to run smoothly without congestion.
View Race Day Briefing information below:
- Only mountain bikes are permitted, no road bikes, e-bikes or hybrids.
- We recommend a bike check with our mates at Racers Edge or a local bike shop before competing. Bike should be in a safe and roadworthy condition.
- Each participant is responsible for the state or repair of his/her own bike.
Helmets are COMPULSORY and need to come with you on race day to the event. Please check your helmet is the right size which fits your head well and is not damaged or cracked. We also recommend you have your helmet inspected by your local bike shop and replace the helmet if there is any sign of damage.
Children need to place their helmets and their running shoes with their bike in the transition area as they make their way to the swim start.
Bikes will need to be collected at the end of the race. Challenge Wānaka cannot take responsibility for any bikes left at Pembroke Park after the race has finished.
If a youth athlete needs to withdraw from the race before finishing, they must notify their teacher or parent, who should then inform the relevant Race Director at the finish line.
We encourage parents to advise their child before race day that if they become lost on course or at the event, they should return to their school tent if possible, talk to a event marshall or go directly to the finish line and ask an event official for help.
View full race rules
View terms and conditions
