Rules & Regulations

Challenge Wanaka is run under Triathlon New Zealand competition rules and Challenge Wanaka regulations.

• The race distances are 3.8km swim; 180km bike and 42.2km run
• At all times competitors must obey the instructions of Race officials and Police Officers and beware of vehicular transport. Any competitor who fails to obey the instructions of Race officials or the Police will be removed from the Event and disqualified. The Event Director and Race Referee have the discretion to disqualify competitors.
• Please obey all traffic laws and regulations at all times and treat all parts of the course as open to the public and vehicles at all times. While some parts of the course may be closed to public access, residential, emergency and Event vehicles will be using the course, and all road rules and regulations must therefore be followed at all times. Left hand drive rules apply.
• Challenge Wanaka is an invitation event, and the Event organisers may refuse entry to any competitor, on any grounds, and at their own discretion without explanation.
• Entries are not transferable or refundable. If an athlete is unable to attend Challenge Wanaka due to unforeseen circumstances and advises Challenge Wanaka in writing prior to 1st December 2008, their entry may be credited towards Challenge Wanaka 2010, less a $100 administration fee. No refunds or transfers will be allowed after 1st December 2008.
• Team member changes will incur a $50 fee per change after 31 December 2008.
• Entries close on 31 December 2008.
• The Event Medical Team will have ultimate discretion and the final decision as to the suitability of a competitor to continue in the Event, and likewise if they should be withdrawn from the Event.
• No competitor may use any banned substances with the intent to improve their performance, eliminate the sense of fatigue or for any other purpose. Doping tests will be performed.
• It is important that all competitors exhibit good behavior and sportsmanlike conduct, and treat fellow competitors, Event organisers, volunteers and contractors with courtesy and respect. Failure to do so may result in disqualification at any time before, during or after the Event.
• If a competitor withdraws from the Event they must advise the course officials of their withdrawal immediately. Any competitor failing to do so and being the subject of a resulting search and rescue operation will incur all costs relating to this exercise if they are found to be in their accommodation or other such safe place.
• Challenge Wanaka reserves the right to alter rules, regulations, Event course and venues at any time provided athletes are advised prior to the Event, or if such a change is in the interest of competitor safety.
• No headphones or headsets may be worn during the Event.
• Challenge Wanaka competitors may not compete with a bare torso.
• Each competitor must be familiar with the entire course and it is their responsibility to follow the correct route.
• Any protests must be lodged with the Race Referee within two hours of the athlete finishing the Event, or within two hours of their disqualification (if relevant) and must be accompanied by a $200 lodgement fee. If their protest is upheld, the $200 will be refunded in full. If the protest is not upheld, the fee will be forfeited.
• Compulsory gear includes a wetsuit, silicone swim cap and head torch if on run course after dark.
• Recommended gear includes a neoprene swim cap.
• Optional gear includes swim gloves (webbing not allowed), neoprene vest (under wetsuits) and swim booties.
• Challenge Wanaka reserves the right to convert the Event to duathlon status in the interests of competitor safety but will not be held liable for any loss as a result of such a decision. If the conditions are still deemed to be unsafe to run a duathlon, Challenge Wanaka has sole discretion, and may cancel the Event without obligation to refund entry fees.
• Challenge Wanaka may test any athlete for the use of a prohibited substance at its own discretion. A positive test will result in disqualification.
• Prize money shall not be paid out until all drug-testing results are confirmed.
• To qualify for prize money, Pro Athletes must finish within 7.5% of the winner's time. Prize money paid as follows (in NZ dollars); 1st $11,250, 2nd $7,500, 3rd $4,500, 4th $3,000, 5th $2,250, 6th $1,500, 7th $1,125, 8th $750, 9th $485, 10th $375. Prize money applies to individual Pro Men’s and individual Pro Women's fields only. Athletes must provide proof of their professional status to be eligible for prize money.
• Team categories include Men, Women and Mixed categories and again, to be eligible for prize money, teams must finish within 7.5% of the winning team's time. Prize money is paid (in NZ dollars); 1st $1,000, 2nd $500, 3rd $250.
• All prize money over NZ$500 is liable under New Zealand law to 20% withholding tax and this will be deducted prior to payment. All bank fees are the responsibility of each competitor.
• Age Group categories will be in 10 year increments and must have at least 10 entrants to qualify as a category. Trophies will be awarded to the top three in each age group so long as they are an official category. The age groups are: 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+.
• Individual athletes must be a minimum of 20-years-old on race day.
• Team athletes must be a minimum of 18-years-old on race day.
• Provided race numbers must be visible at all times throughout the race.
• All athletes must register during the allocated times and attend the compulsory race briefing. All individuals and teams must rack their bicycles during the allocated times – there will be no exceptions to this rule. The Event organisers reserve the right to prevent anyone not adhering to these rules from racing.

Swim Rules

• Compulsory gear includes a wetsuit and silicone swim cap (cap provided). This may be altered or added to at the Race briefing subject to the water conditions, temperature and swim course/distance (at the Event organiser’s absolute discretion).
• Recommended gear includes a neoprene swim cap.
• Optional gear includes swim gloves (webbing not allowed), neoprene vest (under wetsuits) and swim booties.
• No fins, paddles, snorkels, flotation devices of any kind are permitted.
• Swim goggles or face masks may be worn.
• Swimmers will be required to have their race number on the back of their right calf muscle.
• Any assistance required during swim may result in disqualification.
• Swim course will be closed 2 hours 15 minutes from race start for individuals and 2 hours after the start for teams.
• When training on the course immediately prior to the event, brightly coloured swim caps must be worn for you own safety. Anyone reported swimming without a brightly coloured cap may be disqualified from the race.
• Event organisers have the right to change the location of the swim course, the distance of the swim course or cancel the swim course (at their absolute discretion) taking into account the weather and water temperature conditions.

Bike Rules

• No drafting is permitted. The cycle draft zone is a 10 metre by 3-metre rectangle. An athlete has 15 seconds to pass. Likewise, once an athlete is passed they have 15 seconds to drop back out of the draft zone.
• Race numbers must not be altered in size or appearance, and must be worn on the back during the bike.
• The following helmet standards are required: ASTN - F1447-1994, Aust and NZ Standards - AS/NZS 2063:1996 or NZS5439 or AS2063.2, Snell-B90 or B95, CE European Standards-EN1078, US Consumer Products Safety Standards - USCPS.
• Helmets must be secured by the chin strap before unracking the bike, and must remain fastened until the cyclist has dismounted the bike and returned it to its rack.
• No individual support allowed. The bike course is closed to all supporter traffic and no competitor may seek or receive outside help from spectators, members of the public or any 3rd party with the exception of the official technical support crew.
• Special needs bags will be available at the bike turn at the 100km mark. Athletes must have included their compulsory gear – long sleeved thermal top - in their special needs bags.
• Each participant is responsible for the state or repair of his/her own bike. Bikes must have been serviced within three weeks of the event and be in a safe and roadworthy condition. Assistance by anyone other than official technical support personnel will be grounds for immediate disqualification. This disallows the use of spare wheels and back-up bikes and requires that each competitor be prepared to handle any possible mechanical malfunction. All bikes must undergo a compulsory check by the official technical support in the lead up to the race or at registration. Only checked bikes will be allowed into transition.
• Cyclists are expected to heed directions and instructions of all race officials and public authorities. Participant may run/walk their bike if necessary.
• Competitors must keep as far to the left as is practically possible at all times, and pass others on the right and must obey all traffic laws, traffic regulations and the directions of Event officials and the Police.
• The penalty for drafting, dangerous riding or unsportsmanlike conduct will be an instant four minute stand down on the side of the road. A second penalty will result in an eight minute stand down. A third penalty will result in disqualification.
• Event organisers have the right to change the location of the bike course or the distance of the bike course (at their absolute discretion) and taking into account the weather and course conditions.

Run Rules

• Competitors must not alter the size or appearance of the race number, and must wear it clearly and visibly on their front.
• Slower competitors must keep to the left with other competitors overtaking on the right.
• Runners must stay inside the cones at all times. Runners who step outside the cones onto the open road will be disqualified immediately.
• No individual support vehicles or non-participant escort runners or cyclists are allowed. Friends, family members, coaches or supporters of any type may not bike, drive or run alongside competitors, may not pass food or other items to competitors and should be warned to stay completely clear of all participants to avoid the disqualification of a participant. Runners are expected to follow the directions and instructions of all race officials and public authorities. Outside assistance is strictly forbidden and the size and nature of penalties for such an offence are at the sole discretion of the Event Director and Race Referee.
• Many runners will still be on the course after dark. Please note - these competitors must provide a warm, long sleeve top and head torch in their Run Leg Special Needs bag. Competitors are responsible for attaching reflective tape to their gear prior to the event and must carry any other safety material provided to them by the event team on the day of the race.
• Competitors must obey all traffic laws, traffic regulations and the directions of Event officials and the Police.
• Event organisers have the right to change the location of the run course or the distance of the run course (at their absolute discretion) and taking into account the weather and course conditions.