Challenge Wanaka

Location	Wanaka, New Zealand
Race website	Website link
Time of year held	February
Approx Athlete Numbers	200
Does it typically sell out?	No
One word description for the event	Scenic, stunning
Good for first iron distance race?	Yes/Only if up for a challenge

Tips for overseas athletes getting to the venue:

You don't really need a car in Wanaka so getting a shuttle from Queenstown then doing everything by bike/foot is easy
Fly to Christchurch or Queenstown and hire a car.

SWIM

One word description for the swim	Clean, cold
Single or multi-lap course?	2 laps
Typically wetsuit-legal?	Yes
Swim course description	Lake swim, mass start

Swim tips

Sun can be an issue so swim course at start time in race week to get bearings
There is a lot of glare from the sun coming back in. Make sure you go out before and find a place to sight on the hills behind the exit.

BIKE

One word description for the bike	Big chip
GPS map link for the bike course	Website link
Video link for the bike course
Single or multi-lap course?	2 lap

Bike Course description

Beautiful course with plenty of small hills.
Rolling hills, the toughest (airport hill) is about 10km from the end of each lap.
Big chip seal which makes it slow and tough going.
Can be very windy

Bike Course tips

Ride airport hill. Stop and wonder at the scenery prior to the race, so you're not doing it during

RUN

One word description for the run	Mixed, off road
GPS map link for the run course	Website link
Video link for the bike course
Single or multi-lap course?	2 lap

Run course description

Half trail / half road.

There is a solid hill halfway around the course plus some downhill to trash your quads at the end of each lap
Follows Outlet Track, then a climb and a long straight descent down Aubrey Rd.

Run course tips

Bring a good mental game as it is spread out on the run and you can be solo for long periods on the trail section
Outlet Track is a very up and down off road trail, and the river looks very appealing on a hot day.
The long straight run down Aubrey Road is the toughest mentally and on the legs

SUPPORTERS

Tips for supporters get the most out of watching the event?

Get a MTB and you can access run from several points.

Great places to eat:

Red Star Burger Bar is great post race

Best bike or tri shop in town:

Best pick for accommodation:

Get a holiday house

Best things for the kids to do:

Puzzling World Maze

Cool things to do after the race:

Walk up Mt Ion
Check out Cinema Paradiso.
Once legs have recovered enough, head up toward Rob Roy Glacier.

Any warnings that people should know about before entering:

I'm unsure what the run would be like after dark given on a trail - you would want a head torch
Its a true challenge, the water is cold, the wind can blow, it can be hot. Be prepared for all contingencies.

OVERALL

General tips:

Riding the different parts of the course during the week is easy from town

Best thing about this race:

Not overcrowded like big ironmans, awesome holiday spot and good atmosphere
Best place, best race

Anything negative about this race:

The road surface makes it hard but challenging
It isn't a big field, so can be a bit lonely at times.

Have you done this race?
Help improve this page by completing the form at the IMTalk Podcast site.

Thank you to the following people who have contributed content to this page: Nadia Maclaren