Ultra Wanaka, Wanaka, Wanaka (2026)

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.

21/05/2026

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 Brianna Birchfield 🏃‍♀️

What started as a tough 15km trail run in February 2025 became the beginning of a life-changing journey for Brianna. After being talked into that first event by a friend, Brianna crossed the finish line in 3 hours and 15 minutes, exhausted, proud and unknowingly at the start of something much bigger.

“It was the hardest thing I have ever done but I am so grateful to have achieved it.”

Over the next 10 months, Brianna lost an incredible 40kgs through determination, consistency, and learning to focus on progress over perfection. Then came another challenge, a broken collarbone in December 2025 requiring surgery and weeks away from running. But instead of giving up, she adapted.

“Focus on what I can do rather than what I can't.”

Walk by walk, step by step, the progress continued. Just six weeks after surgery, Brianna hit her 40kg goal. Then came Ultra Wānaka, her first big run back after injury.

“I started to struggle around the 8km mark but kept pushing.”

Crossing the finish line in under 1 hour 30 minutes felt like a dream, helped along by an incredible atmosphere, supportive runners, and of course, the pizza at the finish line. 😉

Now, the journey continues with sights set on a first-ever half marathon in Te Anau and more milestones ahead.

“I love running. What an incredible way to see beautiful sights and scenery.”

Brianna’s story is proof that persistence can change lives. 💛

17/05/2026

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 Aisling Coleman " #1" 😆

Some stories just feel meant to be. Ultra Wānaka launched its very first event year, and Aisling became the very first person to enter. At the same time, it was also her very first 50km race.

Coincidence? We don’t think so.

To make it even more fitting, her race bib carried the number #1 — perfect for her first ever ultra.

Stepping into the unknown, Aisling embraced the challenge and delivered an incredible performance, finishing 5th in her category and standing proudly among the 14 women who took on the 50km event.

“It was an awesome event I had a great time.”

From being the first to sign up to crossing the finish line strong, Aisling helped set the tone for what Ultra Wānaka is all about - courage, community and giving something new a go.

14/05/2026

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 Giovanni Losco "Gio" 🔥

Giovanni is on a journey to run 21 official half marathons. For Gio, running has never been about rushing to the finish line, it’s been about consistency, enjoyment and building something meaningful over time.

Having completed 17 half-marathons so far, Gio’s running journey began more than a decade ago when he laced up for his first event in his mid-thirties. Since then, he’s steadily added to the tally, usually taking on two half-marathons each year, with a brief pause during the Covid years.

Now, the goal is clear: 21 half-marathons.

But for Gio, this milestone represents more than just a number, it’s the gateway to an even bigger possibility.

“I have no timeframe, but at two per years, maybe in the next couple of years. I have always said to myself when I do 21 halfs, then, and only then, would I consider a full - so in some ways I don’t want that target to come too quickly!”

It’s a mindset many runners can relate to: balancing ambition with the joy of the journey itself. One step, one race, and one finish line at a time. 💛

11/05/2026

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 Tyler Simpson "All gas, no brakes." 🏋‍♀

From dominating the platform as a two-time New Zealand’s Strongest Man champion to stepping onto the trails at Ultra Wānaka, Tyler is proving that growth comes from embracing the unknown.

After 15 years dedicated to strength sport, Tyler decided it was time for something completely different, endurance running. “15 year's of strength I felt like a new challenge and running seems to be very challenging and rewarding at the same time.”

What started as a simple idea quickly became a commitment. “I had an idea, I booked the race, I put in the work, I executed.” Trading heavy lifts for long miles isn’t an easy transition, but Tyler embraced every part of the process - the training, the discipline and the challenge of race day itself.

And after crossing the finish line at Ultra Wānaka, one thing was clear: this is only the beginning. Tyler told us that Ultra Wanaka is an "awesome event and great for first timers like me to get a feel of race day.”

Tyler’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to try something new, test your limits and discover a different kind of strength. 🏃💪

07/05/2026

Let's show our appreciation to these local legends!🔥🧡 👏

A massive shoutout to the Wanaka Volunteer Fire Brigade working one of the aid stations at Ultra Wanaka. Yep, you were in great hands, with drinks flowing, food sorted and buckets of good energy to get tired legs moving again. They absolutely nailed it!

Now they're taking on their next challenge: the Sky Tower Stair Challenge on May 23rd, climbing 1,103 steps in full firefighting gear 🏆

Help them smash their fundraising goal, every dollar supports Blood Cancer NZ

Donate to their Sky Tower challenge 🔗👇

https://firefighterschallenge.org.nz/t/2026-wanaka-volunteer-fire-brigade

28/04/2026

Our first ever year of Ultra Wanaka came along with many other firsts.

Several people competed in their first ever 50km ultra, completed their first ever half marathon and many ran their first ever official running event!

We are blessed to have been able to facilitate so many firsts, and hope to see many more in the future 💛

Ultra Wanaka is an event made for firsts 🏃‍♀️🍂

27/04/2026

Congratulations again to everyone that completed Ultra Wanaka in the weekend 🙌

There were some awesome results across the board, a big congratulations to all those who came top 3 in their respective categories.

A huge shoutout to all those who completed their very first 50km, 21km, 11.5km or even their very first event ever!

Thanks again to our amazing sponsors for supplying us with prizes for the overall winners.

Thank you all for making the first year of this event one to remember 💛

Ultra Wanaka

31/05/2026

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