New Zealand's Challenge Wanaka is on track for its largest field ever on 19 January 2013 with over 1,100 athletes already registered across both the half and full distances.

A surge of entries at the 31 July price cut off saw Lake Wanaka Half team entries reach capacity and Challenge Wanaka individuals exceed 2012 start line numbers. Challenge Wanaka team entries have also exceeded 2012 start line numbers and Lake Wanaka Half individual entries are up 15% on the same time last year. Entries remain open until 30 November 2012.

Challenge Wanaka race director, Victoria Murray-Orr, said it was encouraging to see such strong entries and attributed it to Challenge Wanaka’s South Island setting on the edge of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area and unique Challenge Family atmosphere.

“Challenge Wanaka has become one of New Zealand’s iconic races, “ said race director, Victoria Murray-Orr. “There’s no other race in New Zealand that is internationally renowned for its spectacular course on the edge of a World Heritage Area. The swim in the crystal clear alpine lake surrounded by mountains, an honest and testing bike course and a marathon that is rated by athletes as one of the best in the world.”

Challenge Wanaka is part of the Challenge Family global series of long distance triathlons that currently features 11 races throughout Europe and Australasia. While part of the Challenge Family series, Challenge Wanaka is run by a non-profit charitable trust, reinvesting in the local community and the growth of the sport.

For further information, visit www.challengewanaka.com or www.challenge-family.com.

Photo Caption: Challenge Wanaka 2012
Photo Credit: Getty Images