ATHLETE REGISTRATION
Part of the iconic Challenge Wānaka Festival of Triathlon, the Mitre10 Mega Wānaka Secondary School Challenge invites secondary students from Year 9 onwards 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 five 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 Mitre10 Mega Wānaka.
Join hundreds of other young athletes and feel like a champion at the finish!
COURSE MAPS
REGISTRATION CATEGORIES
Secondary Schools that are OSSSA member schools, as well as Waitaki Girls, Waitaki Boys, St Kevins and Wakatipu, should enter through their School Sports Coordinator. Entries will open mid-December. Price is $22 per athlete.
Click here for a list of OSSSA Schools.
Entries close Monday 9th February, 5pm.
Secondary Schools from Southland, Canterbury and South Canterbury and Aoraki (or any other schools) that are not an OSSSA member should enter online. Price is $44 per athlete.
Entries close Monday 9th February, 5pm.
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.
EVENT SCHEDULE
| TIME | ACTIVITY | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| FRIDAY 20 FEBRUARY | ||
| 9:30am | Registration opens | Pembroke Park |
| 11.30am | Registration closes | Pembroke Park |
| 12.00pm | Volunteer/Marshal Briefing | Pembroke Park |
| 12.30pm | Compulsory Athlete Briefing | Transition (Bike Racks) |
| 1.00pm | U19 Boys start | Lakefront |
| 1.02pm | U19 Girls start | Lakefront |
| 1.04pm | U19 Teams start | Lakefront |
| 1.06pm | U16 Boys start | Lakefront |
| 1.08pm | U16 Girls start | Lakefront |
| 1.10pm | U16 Teams start | Lakefront |
| 1:12pm | U14 Boys start | Lakefront |
| 1.14pm | U14 Girls start | Lakefront |
| 1.16pm | U14 Teams start | Lakefront |
| 2.45pm | Prize Giving | Pembroke Park |
OTHER INFORMATION
A big thanks to Rob Dallimore at Foot Traffic Coaching, Rob is an experience triathlon and endurance coach and athlete and has kindly provided a training guide for U14, U16 and U19 athletes.
- Course closes at 2.30pm
- All transitions will close at 2.30pm.
- Wetsuits are optional unless the water temp is below 16 degrees (they become mandatory) and if over 20 degrees they are forbidden.
- Road or mountain bikes are permitted.
- 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.
- You must register and collect your race pack on Friday 20th February from 9.30am – 11.30am at the Registration Tent. You will need to show ID to collect your race pack.
- Your race pack contains:
- 2 race numbers, one to be worn on your back for the bike and your front for the run.
- A helmet sticker and bike post sticker which must be attached
- A wristband which must be worn throughout the event
- A swim cap which must be worn – they are colour coded to assist with ensuring athletes start in the correct waves/categories.
- You will receive your timing chip when you register. Transponders must be FIRMLY attached – tape it on or tuck it under long wetsuit. More instructions will come with transponder.
- Bikes can be racked in transition once you have registered. This must be done before 12.30pm. Every athlete/team has a designated spot to rack their bikes. This is identified by the race number. You must properly rack your bike in this spot before leaving for the run/tagging your teammate.
- Bike collection after the race: Bikes will need to be collected from transition at the end of the race between 2:00pm and 2:45pm at the latest! We have to reset transition ready for the Saturday race bike racking starting at 3pm so it is important you have your bikes cleared on time. Challenge Wanaka cannot take responsibility for any bikes left at Pembroke Park after the race has finished.
- The timing chip acts as a relay batten and MUST be worn by each athlete and changed over in transition. There are split times for each leg of the race also this year, hence transponder needs to be worn for the full duration of the race
- To reduce waste, we require each athlete to bring a drink bottle that they can leave at the recovery tent.
- We will be providing limited parking at the rugby club/showgrounds. Please allow enough time to find a parking space. If you can bike or walk to the event, we highly recommend you do this.
