Entries will open at the end of the month for Challenge Wānaka’s youth and adaptive events.

The Adaptive Challenge will return in 2025, open to anyone over 10 years old with either a physical or intellectual impairment.

Meanwhile the Secondary Schools Challenge will once again host the Otago Secondary School Triathlon, featuring U14, U16, and U19 categories.

Secondary School teams have the unique opportunity to compete in the Challenge Wānaka Half on Saturday, bringing high-level competition to the school-age athletes.

Other youth events include the Mini Challenge, Junior Challenge and the Intermediate Challenge.

Mitre 10 MEGA Wānaka and Puzzling World will be sponsoring the youth events again in 2024, Challenge Wānaka trustee and event director Jane Sharman said.

“Their continued support allows us to inspire young people, create lasting memories, and nurture the next generation of athletes.”

At the core of Challenge Wānaka is a dedication to empowering youth through sport, Jane said.

Each year, the Challenge Wānaka Sports Trust subsidises the participation of nearly 2,000 primary and secondary students, promoting healthy lifestyles and imparting values of teamwork, perseverance, and goal-setting.

This initiative has seen more than 11,000 young athletes participate since 2013, providing profound benefits to physical fitness, confidence, and community spirit, she said.

Wānaka Primary School principal Jason Cowan said Challenge Wānaka is an event “our entire school participates in”.

“It is an amazing opportunity for our children to be part of a professionally run event that builds perseverance and supports our kids to ‘be the best they can be,” he said.

“The smiles and grimaces from our children as they compete against themselves and their friends, no matter how athletic, creates an incredible atmosphere.”

Find more details about each of the youth and adaptive races taking place as part of Challenge Wānaka (February 13-15, 2025), here.

PHOTO: Sean Beale