Challenge News

New Zealand’s own Richard Ussher today showed determination and resilience to not only win the fourth Challenge Wanaka long distance triathlon but to do it in a record time of 8:34:41, smashing the previous record by three minutes. Ussher completed the race ahead of Justin Daerr, of the USA, who finished in 8:38:19 and fellow Kiwi Keegan Williams with 8:41:19.

Ussher, who exited the swim in sixth position made his move to the lead in the first third of the bike leg. Ussher passed the bike/run transition area with ease and over three minutes ahead of the chasing pack.

“It was a tough day but the support from the crowd was unbelievable. It really carries you through those bad spots,” said Ussher. “I’ve only done two other courses like this and this is by far the hardest.”

Leading from the start, Gina Crawford, of New Zealand, returned to reclaim her crown as women’s champion with a time of 9:28:57.  Australian Rebekah Keat followed in second place in 9:30:41, while Lizbeth Kristensen, of Denmark rounded off the podium in 10:03:09.

“The swim was cold and it took a while to warm up on the bike, but from Cromwell it felt really good,” said Crawford. “It is hard to lead a race from start to finish, especially with someone like Rebekah chasing.” Today marks Crawford’s third consecutive win.

Running simultaneously with the Challenge Wanaka race, the inaugural Lake Wanaka Half race attracted over 600 entrants competing either individually or as part of a team. David Plew of Christchurch gave it his all to become the first ever Wanaka Half Champion, crossing the line in a time of 4:22:16.

“It was hard out there.” said Plew, who had crowd support all the way to the finish line. “The marshals and stations did a great job. They really made the event. It’s awesome.”

Fellow Kiwis, Matt King of Invercargill, and Rob Creasy, of Christchurch placed second and third in 4:27:45 and 4:29:45 respectively. Rebecca Rae, of Christchurch was all smiles as she crossed the Lake Wanaka Half finish line as the first woman in 5:00:06, while Tamsyn Hayes, of Dunedin, placed a close second in 5:03:23. Dunedin’s Katie Menzies placed third in 5:11:25.

Challenge Wanaka is part of the global Challenge series of long distance triathlons that features races in Germany, France, Spain, Denmark, and Austria, as well as New Zealand. Now in its fourth year, both the Challenge Wanaka and the inaugural Lake Wanaka Half, drew more than 1000 entrants from 24 countries.

Quelle Challenge Roth, the world’s largest long-course triathlon, has been ranked third in 220 magazine’s listing of the “Top 20 Races to Do Before You Die.”

“Taking into account their popularity, atmosphere, difficulty and location, here we celebrate all that’s great about our sport—the key races to do before you die,” said the UK-based magazine.

Topping the list was the Ironman World Championships in Kona, followed by the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon set in San Francisco, California.

“To a pumping Euro-pop soundtrack, Roth pros and age-groupers alike are welcomed into the min amphitheatre-come-finishing chute like returning war heroes. Quite simply, there ain’t no party like a Challenge Roth party.”

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