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Challenge Wanaka today announced the Western Pacific Bonus for exceptional performance on the testing iron distance triathlon course that has quickly become renowned as one of the most scenic in the world.

The NZ$5,000 Western Pacific Bonus will be paid to the first male athlete who finishes in under 8:10 and the first female who comes in under 9:00, both achievable times with the right conditions on the day.

"Challenge Wanaka is a spectacular and honest course with the smaller field demanding as much mentally as it does physically," said race director, Victoria Murray-Orr. "It's going to take a stunning performance to earn the bonus but we believe it is attainable. The times set are significantly faster than the current course records but are also significantly slower than the world records, which would be unrealistic on a course of this nature. Western Pacific Insurance wanted to promote the pursuit of excellence here in New Zealand and we’re delighted to work them to help achieve this through Challenge Wanaka."

Western Pacific Insurance is already supporting the recreational field of Challenge Wanaka with the Western Pacific Champion Club Trophy that is awarded to the highest placed club team. The trophy encourages healthy competition between club teams with a view to getting more people involved in iron distance racing as team members progress to the individual discipline. All athletes will also benefit from insurance cover during the race from Western Pacific.

Athletes from the Southern Lakes region competing in iron distance triathlon, Challenge Wanaka have even more to race for following the announcement of the WHK Teams Prize today which will see the highest placed male, female and mixed teams from the Southern Lakes take home $900 for their achievements.

Local accountancy firm, WHK Cook Adam Ward Wilson promotes a healthy work-life balance and have a team and an individual racing in Challenge Wanaka in January. WHK spokesperson, Kim Forsythe said as WHK has a strong presence in the Southern Lakes region, they wanted to support the local teams and help encourage other locals to become involved in the event.

"We believe it is our social responsibilty to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle, both amongst our staff and further afield. As WHK has a strong presence in the local Wanaka region and Southern Lakes district as a whole we feel this is a great opportunity to sponsor local teams and get behind one of the major sporting events in the region. We commend Challenge Wanaka for bringing an event of this size to the town and acknowledge the support and effort that comes with over 500 athletes, 4,000 spectators and not to mention the many volunteer, officials and marshalls."

Challenge Wanaka today announced the beneficiaries of its volunteer programme. The iron distance triathlon needs up to 400 volunteers to run the event and in return makes a donation to a selected local cause or charity to say thank you to the community for its support.

For 2009, two recipients, both Wanaka based, have been selected from a total of six who registered their interest. Sustainable Wanaka will receive funding for its Water Quality Community Education Programme that will not only raise awareness in the community on water quality issues but also develop resources to assist with educational activities and run workshops with local business to develop actions and ideas. The project will also work closely with the Otago Regional Council on the state of health of our waterways.

"Our waterways, the most obvious of which is the lake, are such valuable assets for Wanaka and it's vital we maintain their pristine condition," said Sophie Ward of Sustainable Wanaka. "This programme will help educate adults, children and businesses and suggest ways in which we can all help to do this, whether its through stormwater management, grey water recycling or landscaping for reduced water use."

Kahu Youth Trust is raising funds for a venue that will provide Wanaka youth with their own space for the first time. The Trust provides organised activities on a regular basis for all youth in the region aged 11- 24. It also provides positive channels through which young people may achieve success and gain recognition as well as advocating and encouraging a voice for local youth. Funding from Challenge Wanaka will go towards altering the new venue to suit the needs of youth, as decided by the youth themselves under guidance from the Trust.

"As the Wanaka area population grows, Kahu Youth Trust recognises the need to provide a safe and fun space where young people can drop in for a catch-up with mates or youth workers, a space where they feel at home and wanted," said Kahu Youth Trust chairperson Kate Bariletti. "It is essential that youth create the internal space that represents themselves and provides the environment suitable to their needs."

Challenge Wanaka race director, Victoria Murray-Orr, said the volunteers were the heart and soul of the event and it would be impossible to run a race of this magnitude without their support, or that of the volunteer sponsor, Racers Edge.

"Volunteers really are the lifeblood of any sporting event and we hope our donation to Sustainable Wanaka and Kahu Youth Trust will go some way to repaying their generosity in helping make Challenge Wanaka an event for the region to be proud of," she said. "We had a number of highly deserving causes apply for the donation making the final decision very difficult. We decided on Sustainable Wanaka and Kahu Youth Trust as between them they reach a broad cross-section of the community and their projects will provide huge benefit to the community."

All volunteers receive a free T-shirt from Racers Edge and can celebrate their achievements at the Racers Edge Volunteers' Party at Oakridge Resort on Sunday January 18 where the winning athletes will be on hand to tell volunteers about their race, hand out spot prizes and leave them in no doubt what a valued part of the event volunteers are. To sign up as a volunteer, forms are available at Racers Edge or via the Challenge website.