Challenge Wanaka Iron Distance 2013 Race Report - Sarah Walker
This article was published in NZ Triathlon & Mutisport magazine, Issue 90 May 2013
Challenge Wanaka 2013 Iron Distance Race
At the Challenge Wananka welcome party someone said, “The one predictable thing about Challenge Wanaka is that the weather is unpredictable”. The weather on race day 2013 certainly meant the Challenge race lived up to its name – it was just that – one of the most challenging but also unique events I have ever done.
In the few days leading up to the race the weather report looked bad; rain and wind was predicted. It was a pleasant surprise when we arrived in Wanaka to be greeted by crisp cool mornings, a bit of rain and sunshine for most days, with stunning views of the mountains. I travelled to the race with my husband, who in a moment of rashness had also entered the Lake Wanaka Half. I was racing the full Challenge. Race day was looking good. That was until the morning, lying in bed at 4am listening to the wind and rain lash against the window – have you ever thought it would be really easy to turn off the alarm, snuggle down, and flag race day? Good job I had my husband there to hustle me along.
In the few days leading up to the race the weather report looked bad; rain and wind was predicted. It was a pleasant surprise when we arrived in Wanaka to be greeted by crisp cool mornings, a bit of rain and sunshine for most days, with stunning views of the mountains. I travelled to the race with my husband, who in a moment of rashness had also entered the Lake Wanaka Half. I was racing the full Challenge. Race day was looking good. That was until the morning, lying in bed at 4am listening to the wind and rain lash against the window – have you ever thought it would be really easy to turn off the alarm, snuggle down, and flag race day? Good job I had my husband there to hustle me along.
By the time we reached the swim start, the rain had eased off but the wind was still blowing and the water looked pretty rough as the pro’s set off. The race is staggered really well with gaps between the pro’s, full distance individuals, full distance teams, half individuals and half teams. It means there is much less congestion, and its easy to find some clear water – great if you get panicked by mass starts.
I set off after the pro’s with the 250 or so full Challenge individuals. The water was about 16 degrees, not bad, but it was a bit rough. It actually got rougher but after turning at the first main buoy it eased off. (Unbeknown to us the race organisers were watching from the shore and had contemplated cutting the swim distance for the half athletes). Despite the waves I actually had a great swim and I enjoyed it.
For the full Challenge the swim is a 2-loop course that goes anticlockwise. It is well marked and the buoys are easy to follow. Only the last 200m was a bit of a pain, as the swim exit is directly in line with the rising sun, so sighting the finish was problematic. In the end I gave up trying to sight and just stuck my head down – I thought I would get to swim exit at some point! There wasn’t much to look at under water though. It’s normally super clear but the recent heavy rainfall had made it murky. Far better was the view above water; as I took a breath I could see mountains, more mountains and blue sky coming through the clouds.
I set off after the pro’s with the 250 or so full Challenge individuals. The water was about 16 degrees, not bad, but it was a bit rough. It actually got rougher but after turning at the first main buoy it eased off. (Unbeknown to us the race organisers were watching from the shore and had contemplated cutting the swim distance for the half athletes). Despite the waves I actually had a great swim and I enjoyed it.
For the full Challenge the swim is a 2-loop course that goes anticlockwise. It is well marked and the buoys are easy to follow. Only the last 200m was a bit of a pain, as the swim exit is directly in line with the rising sun, so sighting the finish was problematic. In the end I gave up trying to sight and just stuck my head down – I thought I would get to swim exit at some point! There wasn’t much to look at under water though. It’s normally super clear but the recent heavy rainfall had made it murky. Far better was the view above water; as I took a breath I could see mountains, more mountains and blue sky coming through the clouds.
Once out of the swim there was a short run over the road, on a temporary bridge to T1. The transitions are well set out and the staggered starts also meant there was no congestion. The first part of the two loop bike course skirts Lake Wanaka towards Hospital Flat then doubles back through Wanaka town centre and out towards Lake Hawea. Hospital Flat isn’t actually flat though. In fact there is not much of the bike course that is flat, apart from a section past Hawea, where this year, there were some pretty impressive tail winds. I’m sure I did 50-60km km/hr. After the Hawea Flat the full Challenge triathletes do a dogleg to Queensberry, before heading back to town. When you get a hell for leather tail wind there has to be some pay back and boy – did I pay it back! The 9km back from Queensberry was at a heady speed of 10km/hr – great! The only satisfaction was glancing at the guys over the other side of the road, in the tail wind, knowing that very soon they would not look so pretty as they worked their way back through the head wind.
There are three words to describe the bike course this year. Windy - the wind was strong, mostly a head wind or a blustery side wind (Kona eat your heart out!). Hilly – not mega hills but enough for you to know they are there. Beautiful – with such spectacular views the time just passes, there isn’t one part of the course that dragged (Ok, maybe the head wind part).
By the time the run came round the sun was out in full force and there was hardly any wind to be found in the town. It was going to be long and hot. I set off on the run with one objective – to enjoy it. Just 200m out from T2 my husband passed me on his way to the finish line – “I’ve nearly finished” he sang with a suspiciously malicious smile, “have a lovely run!”
By the time the run came round the sun was out in full force and there was hardly any wind to be found in the town. It was going to be long and hot. I set off on the run with one objective – to enjoy it. Just 200m out from T2 my husband passed me on his way to the finish line – “I’ve nearly finished” he sang with a suspiciously malicious smile, “have a lovely run!”
Yet again the run course was stunning, off road for most part, rounding by Lake Wanaka and the Clutha River, then up and over the peninsula and back to town. The two-lap route had amazing athlete support all the way; at the aid stations, out on the tracks, the residential areas and in town, there was always some one encouraging you on, calling your name and cheering.
I had done my usual thing of messing my watch up and was pretty clueless about the time I had been out on the course – in the last km I asked a guy with a big GPS watch what the total time was and reassured him that his watch was about an hour out! I hadn’t been out for that long had I? Yep I sure had – I really couldn’t believe that the time had passed so fast, and I put that down to one thing – Challenge Wanaka is simply a fabulous course from start to finish. By the time I came through the finisher’s chute my husband had, showered, changed, snoozed and eaten, and was back cheer me in.
I had done my usual thing of messing my watch up and was pretty clueless about the time I had been out on the course – in the last km I asked a guy with a big GPS watch what the total time was and reassured him that his watch was about an hour out! I hadn’t been out for that long had I? Yep I sure had – I really couldn’t believe that the time had passed so fast, and I put that down to one thing – Challenge Wanaka is simply a fabulous course from start to finish. By the time I came through the finisher’s chute my husband had, showered, changed, snoozed and eaten, and was back cheer me in.
The race is not flat or fast and unless it is your first race you won’t get a PB. This year’s race was tough – (even Macca said it was the “toughest race he has done”) - but I am going to return, as it was simply, perversely, a wonderful experience. The race feels really personal. A large percentage of the locals are involved in the organisation of the race in some way and you can tell – people are friendly, welcoming and helpful. The race atmosphere is relaxed and the athletes are really chatty. We met some great people.
At the bike shop we chatted to a guy whose bike training for the full race consisted of 9 days biking (150-160km a day) from Auckland, arriving three days out from the race. As I racked my bike I spoke to a girl from the USA who travelled the world doing ultra marathons and long distance endurance events. She had picked to do Wanaka because her friends had told her it was a beautiful race. On the run I found a couple of people to gas bag to too. (I apologise to all the runners I sidled up to and asked “Do you want to talk while you run!”). I talked to and ran for a while with an Australian ex pro whose girl friend had entered the full and persuaded him to enter it too. He had not raced in 2 years and his build up for the event consisted of 2 bikes, 1 swim and “some running”. I think he’s gained a few brownie points on that one. I suppose the ultimate race gaff was coming up behind a guy and asking him if he had cramp or was he just poked, and did he want to talk? - He wasn’t that chatty, so I gave up on him and instead had a nice banter going over the last 5km with some of his supporting friends. He finished a few minutes behind me but – whoops, shame on me – he’d done the Iron distance double and been on the go since 2:30pm the previous day!
There is actually another predictable thing about the race; it is a beautiful setting for an Iron distance race. The scenery is simply stunning and at every point during the race there is something to keep you interested, or people to cheer you. If you are going to spend hours pushing yourself to your limits Wanaka is the place to do it – at every low point you can look up and feel good about being able to swim, bike and run in such a wonderful place.
At the bike shop we chatted to a guy whose bike training for the full race consisted of 9 days biking (150-160km a day) from Auckland, arriving three days out from the race. As I racked my bike I spoke to a girl from the USA who travelled the world doing ultra marathons and long distance endurance events. She had picked to do Wanaka because her friends had told her it was a beautiful race. On the run I found a couple of people to gas bag to too. (I apologise to all the runners I sidled up to and asked “Do you want to talk while you run!”). I talked to and ran for a while with an Australian ex pro whose girl friend had entered the full and persuaded him to enter it too. He had not raced in 2 years and his build up for the event consisted of 2 bikes, 1 swim and “some running”. I think he’s gained a few brownie points on that one. I suppose the ultimate race gaff was coming up behind a guy and asking him if he had cramp or was he just poked, and did he want to talk? - He wasn’t that chatty, so I gave up on him and instead had a nice banter going over the last 5km with some of his supporting friends. He finished a few minutes behind me but – whoops, shame on me – he’d done the Iron distance double and been on the go since 2:30pm the previous day!
There is actually another predictable thing about the race; it is a beautiful setting for an Iron distance race. The scenery is simply stunning and at every point during the race there is something to keep you interested, or people to cheer you. If you are going to spend hours pushing yourself to your limits Wanaka is the place to do it – at every low point you can look up and feel good about being able to swim, bike and run in such a wonderful place.
Mere Mortal Coaching
Sarah Walker - Tri NZ Accredited Coach
Triathlon Coaching | Triathlon Training
Sarah Walker - Tri NZ Accredited Coach
Triathlon Coaching | Triathlon Training