Challenge Wanaka 2012

Challenge Wanaka features one of the world’s toughest and most honest iron distance triathlon courses set against stunning alpine backdrop of New Zealand’s Southern Alps and is New Zealand’s largest triathlon festival, featuring events for all ages and abilities in one of the most spectacular settings possible, the shores of Lake Wanaka in New Zealand’s South Island.

Part of the legendary Challenge Family global series, renowned the world over for their memorable events, Challenge Wanaka is the race of a lifetime and the perfect opportunity to compete and holiday in paradise. Join over 1,500 top professional and age group athletes from all over the globe on the world’s most scenic iron distance course for the 3.8km swim in crystal clear waters, the 180km bike taking in three alpine lakes and the 42.2km run which is 75% off-road along the water’s edge.

The festival kicks off on Sunday January 15 with the Puzzling World Junior Challenge for budding triathletes aged four to fifteen. There’s also the Radio Wanaka 5km Fun Run and Swim the Course during the week before the two highlight events.

The streets of downtown Wanaka turn into a high speed race circuit on Friday January 20 when New Zealand’s top triathletes, including Olympians and national champions compete in the Contact Tri Series. This thrilling criterium style racing is a huge hit with spectators and provides exciting race conditions for the athletes as they compete in this, the first of four national sprint races to decide the national championship.

The week culminates with the flagship Challenge Wanaka race on Saturday January 21 which simultaneously with the Lake Wanaka Half. Thousands of spectators line the route and finish chute cheering on these inspirational contenders as they compete in the most arduous of the triathlon disciplines. The finish line is in the heart of the Lake Wanaka township and in true ‘Challenge’ style, there’s a fun finish line party with music and fireworks to welcome the athletes home late into the night.

Challenge Wanaka is part of the Challenge Family series that features 13 races across three continents, including the world’s largest iron distance triathlon, Challenge Roth in Germany. Other races are Challenge Fuerteventura and Challenge Barcelona (Spain), Challenge Kraichgau (Germany), Challenge Cairns (Australia), Challenge Copenhagen and Challenge Aarhus (Denmark), Challenge Vichy (France), Challenge Walchsee (Austria), Challenge Henley-on-Thames (UK) and Challenge Cape Town (South Africa).

Event listed by Nicole Fairweather

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