The Wānaka Medical Social Triathlon will be hosted for a second year as part of the 2022 Challenge Wānaka Triathlon Festival.

The event is designed to encourage people in the community to get active with an achievable course that caters to a much wider group of fitness levels than a traditional triathlon.

“The Wanaka Medical Centre see this as a fantastic opportunity for people to get out there and enjoy some healthy exercise, as well as meet new people in their community,” Challenge Wanaka trustee and local GP Dr Andrew McLeod said.

“The purpose of the Challenge Wanaka Sports Trust is to give back to the people of Wānaka and we feel this event is a very important activity to help some of our locals keep positive and motivated, especially in these uncertain times.”

Andrew said the social triathlon is about fun, not competition, providing a sense of accomplishment in completing the course.

The social event comprises a 15-minute pool swim or 30-minute aqua-aerobics class or 30-minute pilates class at the Wanaka Recreation Centre (WRC), followed by a coffee or tea. 

Next up is a social ride from the Wānaka Recreation Centre to Albert Town and back along the Outlet Track (bike or e-bike), before ending at the Wanaka Watersports Facility for a lunch prepared by the Aspiring Rotary Club. 

Participants enjoy a lunch from Aspiring Rotary at the 2021 social triathlon.

The final challenge is a walk along the Waterfall Creek track and back to the finish, totalling five kilometres. 

“The beauty of the Wanaka Medical Social Triathlon this year was so many people got to try something new like aquarobics and [many] loved it,” Integrity Homes Challenge Wanaka race director Bill Roxburgh said.

“We would like to challenge everyone who came this year to bring a friend next year and let’s share this fun with even more of our Wānaka whānau.”

The event will be held on February 13, 2022 and it’s open to people aged 24 years and older.

Entry fees have been kept as low as possible to encourage participation, Challenge Wanaka said in a statement. 

For $25 individuals will receive entry to the event, a Keep Cup (reusable mug), a reusable drink bottle, coffee or tea, lunch, pool entry, and water and fruit at the end of the event.  

For more information on how you can enter and the schedule of the day click here.

PHOTO: Lennon Bright Photography