A man in a red shirt and black shorts climbing over a wooden obstacle during an outdoor obstacle course in a scenic mountainous landscape under a blue sky with clouds.

5th December 2026

A man and woman are outdoors at a fitness obstacle course, with a landscape of green hills and blue sky in the background. The woman is climbing a black wooden wall, and the man is pushing a wooden plank on top of the wall.

Female athlete in workout gear including a black tank top, black shorts, and colorful running shoes, climbing over a metal structure with rings during an outdoor cross-training or obstacle course event.

ALPHA CHALLENGE 2026

Saturday 5 December | Dublin Bay, Wanaka

Grab your friends, family, workmates, or training buddies and get ready for an epic day of adventure at Dublin Bay, Wanaka.

Whether you want to race hard, challenge yourself, or simply have a fun day out with great people, there's an ALPHA event for you.

Choose from three unique experiences:

ALPHA Challenge – Our signature 5km and 10km obstacle course event packed with mud, walls, carries, climbs, crawls, monkey bars, and plenty of surprises.

ALPHA Adventure – An Amazing Race-style team event where teamwork, problem-solving, and adventure combine for an unforgettable experience.

ALPHA Fit – New for 2026. A functional fitness race that combines running with strength and fitness challenges designed to test your grit and determination.

Compete as an individual, enter with friends, or bring the whole family. Go all-out in the competitive categories or take things at your own pace in the open events.

And why choose just one? Take on all three and make a full day of it.

At ALPHA, our job is to create the adventure. Your job is to have fun.

Don't worry if you can't complete every obstacle or challenge. There is no failure at ALPHA. Skip an obstacle if you need to, although we can't promise there won't be a burpee or squat penalty waiting for you!

But ALPHA is about more than racing.

It's about getting together, challenging yourself, cheering on your mates, and enjoying an incredible day outdoors. Stay after your event, grab food and drinks from local Wanaka vendors, relax with friends, enjoy live music from a local DJ, and soak up the stunning views across Dublin Bay.

Come for the challenge.
Stay for the atmosphere.
Leave with stories you'll be talking about for years.

Challenge Yourself. Adventure Together. Become ALPHA.

ENTER NOW

Enter NOW

Alpha Challenge

Loads of obstacles, including mud, obstacles, and some adventures through the forest.
Competitive
$85 (5km) or $95 (10km)
Open
$75 (5km) or $85 (10km)
Early bird
$55 (open 5km) $60 (open 10km)
$65 (competitive 5km) $70 (competitive 10km)
Until 31st July
School Kids Open
$30
Mini's and Adaptive

The Alpha Experience is perfect for your small people who want to have some fun and get out and about with friends.
Our Mint Adaptive event is one of the highlights of the day. The course is created to challenge our adaptive entrants while having a great time.
$30 per person
Alpha Adventure

Obstacle course meets orienteering meets amazing race. Get your team of 4 together to race around and find clues and adventure through the farm.
Teams of4 people.
Adults $40 pp
Kids and students $30 pp
Early bird pricing
Adults $30
Kids and students $20 pp
Until 31st July
Alpha Fit

Love Hyrox and want an Alpha twist? Alpha Fit combines running laps and functional fitness stations.

$85
Early bird
$50(open)
$60 (competitive)
Until 31st July
High School Kids
$30

Group of women wearing green tutus and heart-shaped sunglasses posing outdoors near a lake with trees and mountains in the background on a sunny day.

Event info

Start times are subject to change.
9am 10km competitive
9:15am 10km open waves begin
9:30 5km open
10am Alpha minis
11am 5km Competitive
11:15 Mint Adaptive
12 Alpha adventure
1:30
This year we are launching our Alpha Adventure Event which is all about completing as a team. Take on obstacles, find locations, do something different…. Great for Christmas parties, team building, families, hens and stag dos, and anyone wanting something fun to do.
We don’t have a team competition for the Alpha Challenge Race but we would love to have your group along. Get dressed up and take on the open together, or support your group who are racing in the competitive. So grab your mates, workmates, family, and friends and get a group along to Alpha.
Grout discount
10 people 10% OFF
15 people 15% OFF
20 people 20% OFF
Discount will be applied at checkout or email kim@alphachallenge.co.nz for a corporate / teams entry form
Our competitive event is a qualifier for OCR World Champs and for leaderboard points for NZOSA. All competitive athletes are required to complete obstacles unaided and if an obstacle is not completed do the required penalty. The penalty can not be shared and must be done correctly. Our marshalls decisions are final.
The competitive event age groups are based on your age at 31st Dec 2026.
Our competitive event is timed so if you would like to get an official time then this is the event to enter.
You can do this with friends however you CAN NOT help each other but that does not mean you can’t have fun together.
Our open event is a chance to get out and have fun with friends. You can help each other with any obstacle and share the penalties. It is not timed but you are welcome to wear your smartwatch and track your time.
Run with your friends and family or get your workmates together for a great team-building Christmas party.
If you are not sure which event is best for you and your team email us and we can help you out. You can change categories for free anytime before the 1st December.
What clothing should I wear?
Shoes - ideally trail shoes with good grip and water drainage
Compression socks - knee height compression socks made of quick-drying material can help protect lower limbs
Technical shorts - quick-drying material is great. Not cotton or heavy baggy shorts
Top - Good fitting quick-drying technical fabric is ideal. If you get wet you want it to dry quickly. Not cotton
Headwear - You can wear a hat or sunglasses but they may fall off or get snagged when crawling.
Can I race with my friends?
Yes absolutely, make some new ones as well!!
Do I have to do all the obstacles?
If you are in a competitive wave you must make 2 genuine attempts at all skills obstacles. You must complete all mandatory obstacles without assistance.
If you are in an open wave and feel like an obstacle is above your capability then you do not have to attempt it. You can help each out in the open wave
Do I have to do burpees or a penalty?
If you are a competitive athlete you will have to complete 30 burpees to the standard rules or the penalty should you not complete an obstacle. Not being able to do so will mean you will not place.
If you are in an open wave you can perform 15 reps of squat thrusts or body squats instead of burpees if you would prefer. You can share the penalty or burpee too.
Will I get wet and muddy?
In a word… ABSOLUTELY. Bring a towel and change of clothes for the finish area.
Will there be aid stations on course?
Yes, there will be water stations on the course and event crew at obstacles to help you out.
How does the mini Alpha’s race work?
This is a shorter out and back course which means the kids can experience the course and some of the obstacles the adults will be taking part on. There is no pressure on racing it’s all about having fun! The kids will have 30 minutes to complete as many laps as they would like to. It may be 1 lap it could be 3 laps. They will also have the chance to head up the finish shoot to make the most of the event. Mini’s are primary-age kids. If your child is physically competent you can enter your mini in the 5km with you.
Can we race the 5km/10km as a team?
Definitely, sign up with your buddies and stick together on course. Make sure you start in the same start wave as your teammates and get stuck in! It’s more fun getting muddy with your friends. There is no team competition however there are group prizes.
When will we get the course map?
Course Maps will be up 2 days before race day.
When is race briefing and registration?
Race briefing will be done via you tube videos leading up to the event. Every participant will need to confirm at registration that they have seen these and understand the briefing. We will have a written copy of these at registration if you have missed this.
There will be a competitive category race briefing on the day.
On the day please allow enough time to complete registration and get your race number.
75% refund before 3rd October
50% refund before 10th November
There are no refunds after November 20th however you can defer your entry to 2026 or transfer your entry to a friend.
You can change your event category until 3td Dec for free via your eventplus account.
You may transfer your race entry for $25 plus up until 18th Nov.
All cancellations requests are the be sent to hello@alphachallenge.co.nz
Should Alpha Challenge be cancelled you can:
Transfer your entry to the following year
Receive a refund.
At no point during the event will any athlete be pressured into performing or completing anything they do not wish to.
If you lack the skill to engage in an obstacle, or have any condition which might be affected by any obstacle you may choose not to participate in that particular obstacle.
You must adhere to all instructions from our marshals and technical support team. Failure to do so will result in removal from the course.
Trail info -
This event involves running and walking on rugged trails that are marked to show the way. The hazards may include but are not limited to: challenging terrain, rocks, roots, motor vehicle traffic, slippery surfaces, uprooted fencing wires, loose rocks, steep terrain, livestock, weather conditions, heat exhaustion, hypothermia, actions of spectators, other competitors, event volunteers and the event organisers personnel.
Lifting weighted obstacles -
Lifting weights and objects including buckets, sandbags, and tires. Always assess the object in front of you and whether or not you have the strength to lift it. Bend the ankle knee and hip while bracing abdominal muscles, making sure you are in a strong position to lift using your legs and not your back. All athletes will have the opportunity to miss lifting any of the above objects if it is deemed to be outside of their skill level or capability. When placing the objects down make sure the area is clear and that your toes are also clear.