Challenge Wānaka Multi
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About the race
Challenge Wānaka Multi is a multisport race around Lake Wānaka, New Zealand, combining paddling, mountain biking and trail running over off-road and river terrain. The full-course distances are:
- Kayak 25 km
- Mountain bike 45 km
- Trail run 14 km
Competitors paddle from the lake into the Clutha River, a Grade 2 river section with wave trains, eddies and rocky shallows; specific river hazards and portages may be recommended or compulsory. New competitors must supply a Grade 2 kayak certificate; tandem entries require the steering paddler to hold a full Grade 2 certificate. Organisers list a set of compulsory kayak equipment including air bags, helmet, life jacket, thermal layers and a foil survival bag. Surf skis and other river-specific craft require prior clearance.
The bike course starts on Newcastle Track and combines flowing singletrack, mixed trail and short road sections, finishing on the Deans Bank Trail. Gravel bikes are permitted and classified with mountain bikes; aero bars and e-bikes are not allowed. Helmets meeting recognised safety standards and a repair kit are compulsory. Drafting rules and vehicle draft zones apply on the bike leg.
The run follows river and foreshore tracks between Albert Town and Wānaka, using singletrack and shared paths; competitors must obey traffic laws where the route uses open roads. Event timing uses transponders; missing cut-offs include a kayak cut-off at 10:30am and a course closure at 5:00pm, after which late finishers receive a DNF. Multiple individual and team categories are offered, including secondary school divisions and tandem teams. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
