Rules

1. Cancellation & Entry Info

• Cancellation Policy: Please refer to our Entry Information page for our most up date information on this.
• Challenge Wanaka reserves the right to implement the contingency plan in the interests of competitor safety (e.g. bad weather meaning event needs to be cancelled) 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.
• Individual athletes must be 18 years of age or older on 18 February 2023. Secondary School Team athletes must be 16 years of age or older on 18 February 2023 (unless pre-approved by the Race Director).
• 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.
• All athletes must read the race handbook prior to taking part in the event

2. Race Etiquette

• 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.
• Athletes must 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

3. Anti-Doping

• 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.
• Challenge Wanaka may test any athlete for the use of a prohibited substance at its own discretion – a positive test resulting in disqualification.

4. Course Information

• 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 18 February 2023).
• Course closes at 4.30pm 18 February 2023.  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.
• Each competitor must be familiar with the entire course and it is their responsibility to follow the correct route.

5. Protests

• 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.

6. Prize Money

• Prize money shall not be paid out until all drug-testing results are confirmed.
• Prize money paid as follows (in NZ dollars); TBC. 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 years for Challenge Wanaka Half. 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+
• There will be 2 age group categories for the Cross Triathlon and Duathlon – 18-39 and 40+.
• Age group categories will be decided in line with Tri NZ rules – age as of 31 December 2023.

7. Swim Rules

• Compulsory gear includes a wetsuit and swim cap. Compulsory gear requirements may be changed at the discretion of the Race Director/Race Referee and announced at the Race Briefing (bring everything) subject to the water conditions, temperature and swim course/distance (at the Race Director’s absolute discretion).
• Recommended gear includes a neoprene swim cap.(this should be worn under the official race swim cap)
• Optional gear includes swim gloves (webbing not allowed), neoprene vest (under wetsuits) and swim booties (webbing not allowed), swim speed suits maybe worn under a wetsuit but they cannot be used instead of a wetsuit.
• No fins, paddles, snorkels, flotation devices of any kind are permitted.
• Swim goggles or face masks may be worn. No smart/FORM goggles allowed.
• Any assistance required during swim will result in disqualification unless such assistance did not aid the swimmer in making forward progress.
• The race director has 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.
• If an athlete should decide to quit the race during the swim leg he/she must report immediately to the race director, technical officials or the course marshals. If this does not happen and rescue operations occur, the athlete will be responsible for all costs.
• After swimming, the competitors must leave their wetsuits under the bike rack and out of the way of any other competitors. If the competitor disregards this requirement an eight-minute penalty will be added to his/her time.
• Wetsuits may only be removed to the waist prior to getting to your bike in the transition.

8. Bike Rules

• Helmets must be attached to bikes and unfastened in the transition area prior to race start. Shoes, including socks, may also be attached to the bike or on the ground next to the bike. Athletes must put on and fasten their helmets before un-racking their bike.
• No cycling is allowed within the transition area. Bikes must be pushed from the racks to the road
• Competitors must dismount at the dismount line (on the road) and push their bike back to their rack. Helmets must remain fastened until your bike is racked.
• Drafting is permitted as per TriNZ rules. (Cross Tri & Duathlon only)
• 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: ASTM – F1447-1994, Australia and NZ Standards – AS/NZS 2063:1996 or NZS 5439 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 re-racked the bike.
• No outside assistance is allowed. Meaning no competitor may seek or receive outside help from spectators, members of the public or any third party. This will result in a disqualification so remind friends, families and supporters of this.
• 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.
• 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, pass others on the right and must obey all Land Transport Road User Rules, traffic regulations and the directions of Event officials and the Police. There are no full road closures so the road is open to normal traffic at all times. Crossing the centre line is prohibited and will result in a disqualification.
• The penalty for 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 additional four minute stand down. A third penalty will result in disqualification.
• The Race Director has 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
• 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.

9. Run Rules

• Competitors must not alter the size or appearance of the race number, and must wear it clearly and visibly on their front. Failure to do so will result in a disqualification.
• Slower competitors must keep to the left with other competitors overtaking on the right.
• Runners must stay on the left when runners are running in both directions, cones will be in place so please keep to the left at all times.
• 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.
• Competitors must obey all traffic laws, traffic rules and the directions of Event officials and the Police.
• The Race Director has the right to change the location of the run course or the distance of the run course (at their absolute discretion), taking into account the weather and course conditions.

1. Cancellation & Entry Info

• Cancellation Policy: Please refer to our Entry Information page for our most up date information on this.
• Challenge Wanaka reserves the right to implement the contingency plan in the interests of competitor safety (e.g. bad weather meaning event needs to be cancelled) 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.
• 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.

2. Race Etiquette

• 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.
• Athletes must 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Challenge Wanaka competitors may not compete with a bare torso. This will result in an instant disqualification.

3. Anti-Doping

• 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.
• Challenge Wanaka may test any athlete for the use of a prohibited substance at its own discretion – a positive test resulting in disqualification.

4. Course Information

• 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. Athletes finishing after this time will get a DNF.
• 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.
• Each competitor must be familiar with the entire course and it is their responsibility to follow the correct route.
• 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.

5. Protests

• 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.

6. Prizes

• 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+
• Age groups categories will be decided in line with Tri NZ rules – age as of 31 December 2023.