Challenge Wanaka 2026: Tamara Jewett and Jack Moody win in New Zealand

The Challenge Wanaka 2026 crowned Tamara Jewett and Jack Moody as winners in New Zealand after two races marked by decisive comebacks in the half marathon.

The historic New Zealand event, one of the longest of the calendar Challenge Family —second only to Roth in age— once again offered an unpredictable script in a spectacular setting. Lake Wanaka, a demanding profile, and constant changes of pace defined the day.

Jewett stages a comeback in the final kilometers

For much of the day, everything seemed to be aligned for Rebecca Clarke.

The New Zealander came out of the water first with a split of 25:06opening up space over Danielle Donaldson and Jasmine Brown. Tamara jewettFor its part, it lagged further behind and out of the spotlight in the early stages.

In the cycling segment, Clarke extended his lead with authority. He arrived at T2 with almost four minutes margin, a lead that seemed sufficient to control the half marathon.

But the footrace changed the script.

Jewett began to gradually close the gap. Kilometer by kilometer, the Canadian reduced the difference until launching a decisive attack in the final stretch.

The comeback was completed in the final kilometers, leaving Clarke without an answer.

Women's elite results – Challenge Wanaka 2026

Jewett thus confirmed her reputation as one of the most dangerous runners on the circuit, transferring her strength in the half marathon to longer distance races.

Jack Moody turns a deficit into a victory

In the men's category, the story was different but with a similar outcome: everything was decided by running.

The swimming events left the New Zealanders in the lead. Ivan Abele y Robert Huisman with 23:38. The favorites —among them Jack Moody, Frederic Funk and Mike Phillips— they left approximately one minute later in a tight group.

At bikeAbele took the initiative. He rode with determination along a demanding course and reached T2 with 1:46 over PhillipsFunk was third and Moody came in fourth. 3:39 of the leadMoody's third victory in Wanaka seemed a long way off.

In the half marathon, Moody steadily and aggressively eliminated rivals. He first caught Funk, then Phillips, and finally Abele. In just a few kilometers, he turned a deficit of nearly four minutes into a lead of over a minute.

With five kilometers left to run, the race was decided.

Men's elite results – Challenge Wanaka 2026

Moody thus achieved his third title in Challenge Wanakaconsolidating itself as one of the local benchmarks of the event.

Phillips' second place also had a special component: he was greeted at the finish line by his daughter Isla, in her first experience in a triathlon event.

Wanaka maintains its identity

Challenge Wanaka continues to demonstrate why it is one of the most respected races on the international calendar. The course combines scenic beauty with technical difficulty, and it tends to reward those who know how to pace themselves.

In 2026, in both the female and male categories, the half marathon was the decisive segment.