Maier And Elliot Return To Lead Challenge Wānaka Multi

Thursday, 21 August 2025, 10:47 am
Press Release: Challenge Wanaka

Two of New Zealand’s leading multisport athletes, Simone Maier and Hamish Elliot, have confirmed their return to the HiveEnergy Challenge Wānaka Multi in October, looking to defend their titles in 2025 as the race celebrates its sixth year.

For Maier, who has recently signed on for Godzone in November, the Multi will be an important step in her preparation for the world’s toughest adventure race. Maier has been a dominant force since the event’s inception, claiming victories in 2024, 2023, 2021, and 2020 — winning every edition she has competed in.

“My recovery has been going really smoothly so far. The biggest highlight is that it hasn’t just been about rehabbing my foot — after dealing with a number of health issues since last September, the major operation and forced time out actually gave me the chance to focus on my whole health and make a complete recovery. Finally, all the broken body parts are coming together, which feels amazing,” says Maier.

“I’m really looking forward to racing the Challenge Wānaka Multi this year. Having that goal is hugely motivating for me, especially coming out of rehab. I highly recommend the Multi if you’re racing Coast to Coast or any other adventure event this summer. It’s the perfect practice ground — you can test your nutrition, your equipment, and see how you perform under real race conditions. The location and the hype out on the course is prime. The volunteers do such a great job, the terrain is fabulous, and the conditions can change quickly — which is excellent preparation for bigger races. For me, it’s also great training towards Godzone — the 4–6 hour effort is perfect, and you get to move a bit faster than you do at Godzone.”

Elliot will line up for his fifth Challenge Wānaka Multi in 2025, chasing a fourth title after three consecutive wins in 2024, 2023, and 2022. He also finished runner-up to Dougal Allan in the inaugural race in 2020.

“Preparing for Coast to Coast, the Challenge Wānaka Multi is a staple event in my multisport calendar. Scheduled early in the season, it’s the perfect race to delve into all my disciplines and analyse where I can improve moving forward. The course is spectacular, the people are friendly, and the overall event is awesome,” says Elliot.

“It’s fantastic to see Simone and Hamish back to defend their titles as we celebrate the sixth year of this event,” says Jane Sharman, Challenge Wānaka Sports Trust Director. “This race has become a real favourite because of the community support, the stunning course, and the chance it gives athletes to test themselves early in the season.”

Since launching in 2020, the Challenge Wānaka Multi & Duathlon, proudly sponsored by HiveEnergy, has steadily grown in popularity each year. The event has become a spring highlight for elite athletes and age-group competitors alike, celebrated for its spectacular course linking Wānaka’s mountains, trails, and lakefront, and its trademark community spirit.

With defending champions Maier and Elliot both returning to the start line, anticipation is already building for an exciting edition of the Multi’s sixth anniversary in 2025.

For those wishing to enter, you can register online at https://challenge-wanaka.com/races/multi/

About the HiveEnergy Challenge Wānaka Multi & Duathlon

First held in 2020, the HiveEnergy Challenge Wānaka Multi is a unique multisport race that combines kayaking, mountain biking, and trail running across Wānaka’s iconic landscapes. Alongside the Multi, the HiveEnergy Duathlon offers a run–bike–run format, providing an accessible option for athletes of all levels. Now entering its sixth year, the event has grown steadily in popularity and is recognised as a key early-season test for both elite and age-group competitors preparing for Coast to Coast, Godzone, and other adventure challenges.

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