Christchurch's Mike Phillips has stormed to victory in the 19th edition of Challenge Wanaka, delivering a commanding performance to claim the title at the 2025 Gallagher Insurance Challenge Wanaka Half. Leading from start to finish, Phillips put on a masterclass of racing, showcasing his strength across all three disciplines.
Emerging from the swim in first place, Phillips wasted no time extending his advantage on the bike, powering through the scenic yet demanding course to build an unassailable lead. He continued his dominance on the run, crossing the finish line in 3 hours, 54 minutes, and 26 seconds with a 15-minute margin over his nearest rival.
Of the race Phillips said "it was great to get a hit out and come down and support the race” he took the opportunity to put in some practice for next month’s full distance in Taupo.
Christchurch's Tom Somerville took second, leaving everything out on the run course, stating he had "gone to some dark places on that run." Local triathlete Laurie Watson secured third in an impressive race for the up-and-coming athlete, who started his journey with the Puzzling World Junior Challenge and today competed with the elites. Watson closed the gap to Somerville on the run, finishing only two seconds behind him.
In the women’s race, local Wanaka triathlete Danielle Donaldson continued her breakout season with a remarkable victory. Donaldson, who has delivered some standout performances across multiple races this season, finished in 4 hours, 41 minutes, and 38 seconds. With consistent results in the age-group ranks, she is now considering a transition to the professional field in 2025/2026.
Donaldson was chased down on the run by Deb Lynch, the newly crowned 2025 Coast to Coast Champion, who finished second, 4 minutes and 28 seconds behind Danielle. Another Wanaka Local and former professional triathlete Maeve Kennedy-Birdsall finishing third.
A stunning day in Wanaka set the stage for this incredible event. The morning began with calm conditions and no wind for the swim start, but as the day progressed, the hot sun and challenging terrain took their toll on the athletes.
"It’s fantastic to have athletes of Mike’s calibre supporting this year’s Gallagher Insurance Challenge Wanaka and testing out the course," said Event Director Jane Sharman. "His performance today was impressive, and the feedback on the course has been invaluable. It’s a challenging course, and we've received positive suggestions on how it could be refined for the future. Overall, the vibe of the festival has been amazing."
Challenge Wanaka continues to cement its reputation as one of the world's most breathtaking and challenging middle-distance triathlons, attracting top athletes and age-group competitors alike. The 2025 event has once again showcased the passion, endurance, and camaraderie that make this race a standout on the international triathlon calendar.
1. Mike Phillips 3:54:26
2. Tom Somerville 4:09:53
3. Laurie Watson 4:10:05
1. Danielle Donaldson 4:41:38
2. Deborah Lynch 4:46:16
3. Maeve Kennedy-Birdsall 4:54:30