Ultra Wanaka

27/09/2026

Hands up if you're entering Ultra Wanaka 2027!! 👆

Oh... you haven't yet? Time to head to our website and secure your spot 🙌

50km | 21km | 11km

25/09/2026

The day we've all been waiting for... 2027 entries are now officially open!!

Run on over to our website and enter now 🏃🔥

50km | 21km | 11km

24 April 2027

24/09/2026

This is your official reminder that entries for Ultra Wanaka 2027 open TOMORROW!

Time to lock in and secure your spot 🔥

24/09/2026

The countdown is on... Entries for the 2027 event officially open in TWO days!

So get excited and set your alarms for the 26th of September! 🙌

15/09/2026

It's official, we're back for 2027 and entires are opening soon 🙌

Put it in your calendars, set your alarms, only ten days until go time...

Entries open September 26th 🏃

Runnable, well maintained trails and multiple aid stations make this the perfect first ultra experience. Challenge yourself and earn every kilometre.

12/09/2026

Who else is absolutely fizzing to run it back for another year? 🔥

Our first year went so well that we can't wait to bring you Ultra Wanaka 2027

Entries opening soon... watch this space 👀

09/09/2026

Hey you, long time no chat...

Waiting for entries to open? Well you won't be waiting much longer...

Watch this space 👀

Talk soon.

31/05/2026

ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT 🚨

At Ultra Wanaka 2026, we had some pretty awesome people compete. While each individual on course had their own story, their own 'why' - these are some of the most inspiring.

Introducing Adam Forwood 🙌

At Ultra Wānaka, Adam celebrated completing his tenth ultramarathon, he knocked an incredible 30 minutes off his 50km personal best.

“I love getting out and pushing myself to run these races,” he said. “I get a kick out of being able to say I run ultramarathons — I don't run them very fast, but I do run them!”

That mindset has carried him across some of New Zealand and Australia’s toughest trails, through mud, mountains, and more than a few painful lessons.

“I get to experience some amazing places and meet even more amazing people,” he said.

His ultrarunning journey has included two starts at Tarawera — including this year’s notoriously muddy edition — and a memorable 50km at Hanmer Springs.

“That was the day I learned the true importance of proper fuelling on race day!” he laughed.

Across the Tasman, Adam tackled the UTA50 in Australia, describing it as “a big trail-running party” even if the infamous stair climbs nearly broke him.

“Hope to go back and do it again,” he said, “despite those accursed stairs!”

But some races leave a mark deeper than sore legs... Three Peaks Plus One was the only ultramarathon where he ever recorded a DNF on his first attempt.

“Tougher than Kepler,” Adam said. “More elevation and MUCH more mud! A brutal day out but a fantastic feeling to finish.”

For Adam, that’s what ultrarunning is all about: showing up, digging deep, and finding a way through.

Legend.

28/05/2026

ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT 🚨

At Ultra Wanaka 2026, we had some pretty awesome people compete. While each individual on course had their own story, their own 'why' - these are some of the most inspiring.

Introducing Llewellyn Davies a “sucker for punishment” 💪

After being hospitalised with meningitis and battling the effects of Type 2 diabetes, he found himself at more than 300kgs. Back then, as he puts it, “most of my running was to the fridge.”

Now? He’s crossed the finish line of his first half marathon (smashed it!).

It wasn’t a straight road. There were setbacks, doubts and moments where pulling out seemed easier than pushing through. Just a week before race day, Llewellyn was considering withdrawing altogether.

Instead, he doubled the challenge.

“I moved from the 11.5km to the 21km,” he said. “Why not go hard?”

The final 8km were gruelling, every step demanding something deeper than fitness alone. But Llewellyn kept moving forward, fuelled by something bigger than the race itself.

“There was a little boy 20-odd years ago that wanted to achieve some stuff,” he said. “Here I am.”

A huge part of his transformation came from accountability and support, with his Facebook running group helping keep him on track through the tough days and celebrating every milestone along the way.

Now, Llewellyn hopes his story encourages others who are sitting where he once was, wondering how to begin.

“For anyone thinking, ‘How can I start? Where do I start?’” he says, “just go for a walk and never stop.”

From hospital beds to half marathons, Llewellyn’s journey is proof that progress doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen, one step at a time. 💛

24/05/2026

ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT 🚨

At Ultra Wanaka 2026, we had some pretty awesome people compete. While each individual on course had their own story, their own 'why' - these are some of the most inspiring.

Introducing Richard Jones 👏🏼

After a knee injury playing rugby 16 years ago, Richard slowly found himself gaining weight and losing confidence in what his body could do. At the start of 2025, he decided it was time for change.

An 8-week gym challenge kickstarted the journey, helping him lose 10kg. From there, Richard joined Weight Loss Coaching WORKS, where he went on to lose another 47kg by October.

“As my fitness and strength improved, the issues with my knee slowly started to disappear.”

What started as weekly parkruns soon turned into something much bigger, training for his very first half marathon. Then came the next challenge: the inaugural Ultra Wanaka.

“What better place to run my first half marathon than at the very first Ultra Wanaka?”

Richard completed the event feeling stronger than ever and is already looking ahead to 2027. “I’ll definitely be back and next time, I’ll be aiming to do even better.”

Richard’s story is proof that small steps and backing yourself can completely change what you believe is possible.