Welcome to the Merrell Spring Challenge

nau mai ki te wero o te koanga

The destination for the 19th Merrell Spring Challenge, all women adventure race will be in Glenorchy and Queenstown.

The Merrell Spring Challenge is one of the gems of New Zealand adventure racing, where teams of three women take part in the adventure that can include rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking and orienteering.

There are three main categories, these are known as the 3, 6 and 9-hour events. As a guide, that translates to beginner, intermediate and advanced. The numbers are the winning times for each category, the course is open for 18-hours on the event day. The majority of the teams complete their challenges in daylight, but some of the 9-hour teams can be racing into the night to reach the finish line. Spring Challenge caters for all abilities, from first time adventure racers through to the world’s elite female athletes.

While it is a race, for most of the women the event is about personal participation. The benefits are as much from the journey as the event itself. For most entrants, there are quantifiable rewards and proven outcomes, from being part of a team, to be working towards a goal, training for the event improves health, and learning now skills is in itself a journey of self-improvement. It is empowering and builds confidence. The Spring Challenge has done amazing things for thousands of women.

A core part of adventure racing is visiting unique and interesting places. Because navigation is a key factor in the events, no course can be used twice. It makes it fresh and exciting for the teams also, they get to travel around the country visiting places they probably would never have the opportunity to otherwise.