The elite field is confirmed for this week’s Gallagher Insurance Challenge Wānaka, marking the final countdown to the 20th edition of the event.

More than 3,000 athletes, including a pro field of 22, are expected to take part across the three-day festival in central Wānaka, which begins this Thursday February 19 and ends Saturday, February 21. 

The elite field features professional athletes from New Zealand, Australia, Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Canada and the United States. Athletes will take on a 1.9km swim in Lake Wānaka, a 90km bike towards Mt Aspiring National Park and a 21.1km run along the lakefront. 

In the men’s field, New Zealand’s Mike Phillips enters as one of the favourites. A three-time Ironman New Zealand champion and consistent international performer, Phillips has stood on the Wānaka podium before but a professional title here has remained elusive. On home soil, he will see 2026 as a prime opportunity. 

Two-time Challenge Wānaka champion Jack Moody returns with the confidence of previous wins. Moody’s familiarity with the Wānaka course, along with his strong bike-run combination, makes him one of the athletes to watch. 

“I’m incredibly excited to see Challenge Wānaka back on the domestic pro calendar. It’s a race I’ve supported since the start of my professional career. I haven’t missed a pro start here,” says Moody.

Germany’s Frederic Funk will make his debut appearance at Challenge Wānaka this year. Funk is one of the world’s highest-ranked middle-distance triathletes and is renowned for his formidable bike power and consistency on the global stage. 

A strong Kiwi contingent of emerging and established professionals including Brett Clifford, Scott Harpham, Tom Somerville, Robert Huisman and Ivan Abele ensures excitement and depth across the field.

The women’s elite field is packed with talent and international experience. Great Britain’s Lucy Byram, the highest-ranked athlete in the field at 16th in the world, makes her Challenge Wānaka debut. Byram brings an impressive Challenge Family pedigree, with five podium finishes, including three wins, making her a clear contender across all disciplines.

Canada’s Tamara Jewett, widely regarded as one of the fastest runners in middle-distance racing, is expected to shape the race dynamics deep into the half marathon.

American Gabrielle Lumkes has spent the New Zealand summer training in Wānaka, gaining valuable course familiarity ahead of race day.

Leading the Kiwi charge is Rebecca Clarke, renowned as one of the fastest swimmers in the sport, bringing experience and strong home support as she targets the podium. With strength across disciplines throughout the field, the women’s race may well come down to patience and positioning before a decisive move on the lakefront run.

The 2026 edition marks 20 years since just 85 athletes stood on the start line in 2007. This Saturday, more than 800 athletes will line up for the middle distance event, including 152 teams across corporate, mixed, and gender categories with entries still coming in just days before the race.

The Mitre 10 Mega Wānaka Adaptive Challenge will feature 50 adaptive athletes, while over 2,100 children will take on the Puzzling World Junior and Intermediate Challenges, as well as the Mitre 10 Mega Wānaka Secondary Schools Challenge.

Event Director Jane Sharman says the 20-year milestone is an opportunity to celebrate both the evolution of the event and the community that supports it.

“This event has always been about more than racing. It’s about courage, connection, and celebrating what’s possible – whether you’re five years old, an adaptive athlete, or racing professionally on the world stage.”

Full list of Pro Athletes https://challenge-wanaka.com/pro-athletes/

The full event schedule and athlete information are available at www.challenge-wanaka.com