Wet and windy conditions forced organisers of the 2025 HiveEnergy Challenge Wānaka Multi to cancel the kayak leg, turning the event into a muddy 43km mountain bike and 14km trail run that tested athletes’ endurance and adaptability.

Race director Bill Godsall said athlete safety was the top priority, and the determination and sportsmanship shown reflected “exactly what this race is all about”.

“It’s fantastic to see many younger athletes getting involved, as well as first-timers giving multisport a go,” he said.

In the men’s multi event, defending champion and 2024 Coast to Coast winner Hamish Elliot made it four Challenge Wānaka Multi victories in a row, finishing in two hours and 32 minutes. 

Rising multi-sport star Jordan Gough, the current U23 Coast to Coast champion, was just one minute behind, with Two-day Coast to Coast champion Sam King third. 

In the women’s race, Two-day Coast to Coast champion Emily Trevail took out the women’s race in 2hrs 48min, believing she was chasing four-time champion Simone Maier (Wānaka) before realising she was leading. 

Wānaka’s Natalie Phillips finished second in 2hrs 56min, with Simone third.

The duathlon saw record entries, up more than 70 percent on the 2024 event. Stephen Woodwark claimed the men’s win in 2hrs 34min, four minutes ahead of Hunter Gough, with Wānaka veteran Bryce Dunlop third.

Defending champion Maeve Williams (Wānaka) dominated the women’s duathlon, finishing 14 minutes ahead of Johanna Jagger and Sam Read.

See the full results here.

PHOTO: Supplied