Over 1,600 expected at Challenge Wanaka
Local heroes take on Aussie rivals
A record number of athletes are expected at Challenge Wanaka on New Zealand’s South Island this weekend, when local heroes Simone Maier and Ben Logan will race against leading Australian athletes such as Courtney Ogden.
Positioned by Challenge Family as ‘the world’s most scenic long-distance triathlon’, more than 1,600 athletes are expected to tackle Challenge Wanaka and its sister event the Lake Wanaka Half this year.
The course begins with a 3.8km swim, followed by a 180km bike around Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea, before finishing with a 42.2km run along the shores of Lake Wanaka.
Last year’s men’s race was won by Dylan McNeice (NZL) in 8:51:18, while the women’s race was won by another Kiwi athlete, 11-time Ironman champion Gina Crawford, who crossed the line in 9:24:31.
Challenge Wanaka is part of the Challenge Family global series of triathlons, which features 23 races in 14 countries, including Challenge Gold Coast in Australia, which was confirmed last week.
For more info head to www.challenge-wanaka.com.
Jamie Beach
Former digital editor 
