Rules

Please select the specific rules and waiver that relate to your race, i.e.  Challenge Wanaka Half or AquaBike (below)

Please note that these rules are also included in each race’s handbook which is available online or through the Challenge Wanaka App. 

Challenge Wanaka Half – Rules

Challenge Wanaka Half is run under Triathlon New Zealand competition rules and Challenge Wanaka rules

  • It is a pre-condition of participation that every competitor must carefully read and abide by the specific rules and waiver that relate to their race.
  • 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 race director and race referee have the discretion to disqualify competitors.
  • Please obey all traffic laws and rules 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 must therefore be followed at all times. Left hand drive rules apply.
  • Drafting from another athlete or motor vehicle is forbidden, athletes must also reject attempts by others to draft
  • Challenge Wanaka Half is an invitation event, and the Event organisers may refuse entry to any competitor, on any grounds, and at their own discretion without explanation.
  • Cancellation and COVID Policy: Please refer to our Entry Information page for our most up date information on this.
  • Team member changes will incur a $50 fee per change after 1 February.
  • Entries close midnight 22 January.
  • The Event Medical or Safety 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and the final decision as to the suitability of a competitor to continue in the Event, and likewise if they should be withdrawn from the Event.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. Random doping tests will be performed.  Any competitor serving a ban for banned substances in another sport is not permitted to enter.
  • It is important that all competitors exhibit good behaviour 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 finish line officials of their withdrawal as soon as possible and prior to the course closing (4.30pm 20 February 2021).
  • Course closes at 4.30pm 13 February 2021.  Athletes finishing after this time will get a DNF.
  • Bike cut-off for Individuals is 1.00pm and for Teams is 1.15pm.  Any athletes who finish after the cut off will get a DNF
  • Challenge Wanaka Half 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 swim or cycle. Personal MP3 players are permitted on the run leg. Volume must be at a level that allows outside noise to be heard. If an official is not heard by an athlete due to excessive volume, the Event reserves the right to remove the MP3 player in the interest of safety.
  • Challenge Wanaka Half 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 athlete wishing to protest against another athlete or official must do so, in writing, to the Race Referee within 15 minutes of his/her finish time. The intention to protest must be verbally advised to the Race Referee within 5 mins of his/her finish time. Protest forms can be obtained from the referee and must be accompanied by a $50 lodgement fee. If their protest is upheld, the $50 will be refunded in full. If the protest is not upheld, the fee will be forfeited.
  • Compulsory gear includes a wetsuit and swim cap.
  • Recommended gear includes a neoprene swim cap under the supplied cap. This becomes compulsory if the water temperature is below 14C.
  • Optional gear includes swim gloves (webbing not allowed), neoprene vest (under wetsuits) and swim booties. Swim skins are not allowed as a wetsuit alternative.
  • Challenge Wanaka reserves the right to implement the contingency plan in the interests of competitor safety but will not be held liable for any loss as a result of such a decision. In the event such a decision is made, if the conditions are still deemed to be unsafe, 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 resulting in disqualification.
  • Prize money shall not be paid out until all drug-testing results are confirmed.
  • Prize money paid as follows (in NZ dollars); 1st $5,000, 2nd $3,000, 3rd $2,000. Prize money applies to individual Pro Men’s and individual Pro Women’s fields only. There is no %age rule based on times but prize money will be paid according to overall race position. Athletes must provide proof of their professional status to be eligible for prize money.
  • 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 five year. Trophies will be awarded to the top three in each age group so long as they are an official category. The age groups are: 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74,75-79,80+
  • Individual athletes must be a minimum of 18-years-old on race day.
  • Team athletes must be a minimum of 16-years-old on race day.  Younger team athletes may be able to compete at the discretion of the Race Director.
  • Age group categories will be decided in line with Tri NZ rules – age as of 31 December 2021
  • Team athletes may race for one team only
  • 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.
  • If a competitor does not speak English they should email the race director in advance and he/she will find someone to assist with this.

AquaBike – Rules

AquaBike is run under Triathlon New Zealand competition rules and Challenge Wanaka rules

  • It is a pre-condition of participation that every competitor must carefully read and abide by the specific rules and waiver that relate to their race.
  • 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 race director and race referee have the discretion to disqualify competitors.
  • Please obey all traffic laws and rules 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 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.
  • Cancellation Policy: Competitors who have travelled from overseas specifically with the intention of competing in the 2021 event, but for good reason are not able to compete in the event, may transfer their entry fee to one of the 2022 or 2023 events, or on request may receive a refund of 75% of their paid entry fee.  The above refunds or transfers shall apply until 1 February 2021.  After 1 February 2021, no refund or transfer will be made.
    If New Zealand is in COVID level 2, 3 or 4 between 30 September 2020 and 30 January 2021, and the Challenge Wanaka Sports Trust cannot run an event in February 2021, competitors will be offered a transfer of their entry to one of the 2022 or 2023 events, or have a 75% refund. If, after 1 February 2021, New Zealand enters COVID level 2, 3 or 4, and this is affecting or impacting the Wanaka region, the 2021 event will be cancelled.   As the event will have incurred significant costs, the Trust will be unable to offer any refund or transfer. The Challenge Wanaka Sports Trust will however endeavour to offer to cancelled 2021 competitors a discounted entry to the 2022 event, financed from any cash reserves left from 2021.
    The Challenge Wanaka Sports Trust is committed to supporting Challenge Family athletes and trusts that they will understand that we will always be doing our best to look after them.
  • Team member changes will incur a $50 fee per change after 1 February.
  • The Event Medical or Safety 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. Random doping tests will be performed.
  • It is important that all competitors exhibit good behaviour 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 finish line officials of their withdrawal as soon as possible and prior to the course closing (4.30pm 20 February 2021).
  • The Course will close at 4.30pm, competitors finishing after this time will get a DNF.
  • 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, cell phones or headsets may be carried during the swim or cycle. This will result in an instant disqualification.
  • Challenge Wanaka competitors may not compete with a bare torso. This will result in an instant disqualification.
  • Each competitor must be familiar with the entire course and it is their responsibility to follow the correct route.
  • Any athlete wishing to protest against another athlete or official must do so, in writing, to the Race Referee within 15 minutes of his/her finish time. The intention to protest must be verbally advised to the Race Referee within 5 mins of his/her finish time. Protest forms can be obtained from the referee and must be accompanied by a $50 lodgment fee. If their protest is upheld, the $50 will be refunded in full. If the protest is not upheld, the fee will be forfeited.
  • Compulsory gear includes a wetsuit, swim cap.
  • Recommended gear includes a neoprene swim cap worn under the supplied cap. This becomes compulsory if the water temperature is below 14C.
  • Optional gear includes swim gloves (webbing not allowed), neoprene vest (under wetsuits) and swim booties. Swim skins are not allowed as a wetsuit alternative.
  • Challenge Wanaka reserves the right to implement the contingency plan in the interests of competitor safety but will not be held liable for any loss as a result of such a decision. In the event such a decision is made, if the conditions are still deemed to be unsafe, 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 resulting in disqualification.
  • Age Group categories will be in 5 year increments. Trophies will be awarded to the top three in each age group so long as they are an official category. The age groups are: 18 – 24,25-29, 30-34,35 – 39,39 – 40-,45 – 49, 50 – 54,55 -59, 60 – 65,66 -69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+
  • Individual athletes must be a minimum of 18-years-old on race day.
  • Age groups categories will be decided in line with Tri NZ rules – age as of 31 December 2021.
  • 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.
  • If a competitor does not speak English they should email the race director in advance and he/she will find someone to assist with this.