Inclusivity Takes Centre Stage With 2026 Adaptive Challenge

Wednesday, 3 December 2025, 4:11 pm
Press Release: Challenge Wanaka

Challenge Wānaka Launches 2026 Mitre 10 MEGA Adaptive Challenge on International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Challenge Wānaka is proud to announce the launch of the 2026 Mitre 10 MEGA Wānaka Adaptive Challenge, timed to coincide with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The Adaptive Challenge continues to grow as one of the most inspiring, inclusive, and celebrated events within the Gallagher Insurance Challenge Wānaka Festival of Triathlon.

The Adaptive Challenge has become one of the most uplifting and fast-growing parts of the Festival of Triathlon. More than 40 athletes took part in 2025, with organisers expecting even greater numbers in 2026 as word continues to spread about how welcoming, supported, and empowering the event is.

Stories of determination, joy and community spirit were front and centre at this year’s Challenge Wānaka Adaptive Challenge — an event that continues to expand as more athletes, families and support teams embrace the opportunity to take part.

Among the standout moments was an athlete who typically relies on a walker but completed the entire course unassisted, crossing the finish line with the support of a personal trainer. Another group trained for months in advance — swimming, cycling, walking the local tracks — and still talk about the “beautiful big smiles” and the profound sense of achievement that carried them over the line. For many, the event has become a yearly fixture, now in their third year of participation, and it shows: the Adaptive Challenge grows bigger and stronger every year.

Event Director Jane Sharman says ‘demand continues to rise as word spreads about just how inclusive, supported and celebratory this event is’. And while every story shines, one of the most heartwarming from last year came from a young athlete who gave everything out on course — and who has now inspired his own father to compete this year. “It’s a reminder that the Adaptive Challenge isn’t just life-changing for participants; it motivates entire families to move, aspire and be part of something meaningful” Ms Sharman stated.

Supporting this spirit of inclusion is Challenge Wānaka Ambassador Shaz Dagg, a New Zealand Elite Paratriathlete and the first female amputee to complete the Kathmandu Coast to Coast. Known for saying “I may only have one wing, but I can still fly,” Dagg embodies the fearlessness and strength the event celebrates. She returns to the Coast to Coast this summer in a team with Gemma McCaw before heading back to Wānaka to support the Adaptive Challenge in 2026.

Shaz has attended Challenge Wānaka a number of times, championing opportunities for athletes with disabilities and encouraging others to take on challenges once thought impossible. Her presence continues to elevate the event, offering both visibility and genuine connection to the athletes and families who look up to her.

The Adaptive Challenge is made possible thanks to strong community partnerships. Mitre 10 MEGA Wānaka continues its valued sponsorship, helping to elevate the athlete experience on and off the course. Sport Central plays a crucial role in coordinating the event, ensuring smooth operations and comprehensive support for athletes and their teams. Anyone seeking more information or wishing to explore participation options is encouraged to contact Jo Knight at Sport Central.

The Mint Charitable Trust, dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities, is another key partner whose work aligns closely with the event’s purpose. Through programmes that foster belonging, skill-building, and confidence, Mint’s impact is seen in the joy and pride athletes carry with them long after race day.

As Challenge Wānaka approaches its milestone 20th anniversary, the Mitre 10 MEGA Adaptive Challenge remains one of the clearest expressions of what the event stands for — community, connection, and the opportunity for every athlete to experience the thrill of a finish line.

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