Women Embrace Challenge and Connection at Merrell Summer Challenge in Hakatere

Press Release / 09.02.2026

The wide-open landscapes of the Ashburton Lakes came alive over the weekend as 231 women gathered in the Hakatere / Ashburton Lakes area to take part in the 6th edition of the Merrell Summer Challenge, a women-only adventure race celebrating endurance, exploration, and connection to place.

Timed to coincide with Waitangi Weekend, the event carried special significance in the Hakatere Conservation Area, a place long valued by Māori as a mahinga kai and travel corridor, and later known for its role in early high-country pastoral history. Against this backdrop, women from across Aotearoa tested themselves across rugged terrain shaped by both natural forces and human history.

Hosted at Lake Clearwater, teams competed in three divisions, 3-hour, 6-hour, and 9-hour races,  combining kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, and navigation. The event was delivered by Ten Events Limited, with Event Director Jodie Fa’avae and Race Director Nathan Fa’avae leading the operation.

“This is the sixth Summer Challenge, and what makes it special is that it moves to a new location every year,” says Jodie Fa’avae. “That allows us to showcase different parts of New Zealand and create truly unique experiences for women.”

The Merrell Summer Challenge is the sister event to the iconic Merrell Spring Challenge, which will celebrate its 20th edition this September, returning to its birthplace in Hanmer Springs. The Spring Challenge was the world’s first women-only adventure race and remains the largest of its kind globally.

“While the Summer Challenge is smaller, it’s no less intrepid,” says Race Director Nathan Fa’avae. “Because it’s more nimble, we can take it into environments that the Spring Challenge simply couldn’t operate in due to size and scale. That’s what makes races like Hakatere possible.”

Magical Weather, Honest Racing

Teams were treated to spectacular conditions on race day. High cloud at sunrise and sunset created romantic light across the lake and mountains, while the middle of the day delivered clear skies and vast alpine views. A strong westerly wind built from late morning through to evening, adding an extra layer of challenge, particularly on the water.

All teams began with a kayak stage on Lake Clearwater.

The 6- and 9-hour teams enjoyed near-perfect calm conditions, completing a 5km paddle around the lake and island. The 3-hour teams, starting later, faced building winds and choppier water, making their 4km paddle exciting and demanding, though all teams completed the stage safely.
From there, courses diverged in scale and intensity.

Course Highlights

3-Hour Race
After kayaking, teams rode an 8km mountain bike loop around Lake Clearwater and along the Eastern Link Track to a bike drop near the Te Araroa Trail. From there, teams tackled a steep hiking climb to the Mystery Lake area, navigating five checkpoints over 4km before returning to their bikes. The hiking highpoint offered a sweeping view of almost the entire course. A final 7km single-track ride on the Western Link Track delivered teams back to the finish through open tussock land.

Adventure racing legend Sophie Hart crossed the finish line smiling.
“That was a very honest 3-hour race,” she said, referring to the technical biking and navigation, and noting the joy of racing alongside her daughter in her first adventure race.

6-Hour Race

The 6-hour teams followed the same initial bike route before facing the added challenge of pushing or carrying bikes up the Zig Zag, then riding on to Paddle Hill Creek, an 11km stage. A demanding 8km hike around Dog Hill followed, where route choice was as critical as navigation. With spike plants, swamps, and slow travel through sub-alpine terrain, experience paid dividends. Teams then completed a 12km ride back to the finish, totalling a 51km challenge.

9-Hour Race

The longest course included the full 6-hour route plus two additional stages: a ride into Boundary Creek Hut and a climb to the summit of Red Mountain. Standing at 1610m, Red Mountain delivered dramatic views into the Arrowsmith Range and across the Hakatere, a fitting reward for the effort. The full course totalled 57km of rugged, remote adventure.

Competition, Growth, and Belonging

“What I love most about this event is that it caters for women of all abilities and aspirations,” says Event Director Jodie Fa’avae.

“Some women are here to race, they’ve trained hard and want to test themselves against the course, the clock, and other teams. We’re protective of that spirit of competition and excellence.

“But for others, this is a huge personal challenge, something entirely new. For some women, the experience is incredibly powerful. They discover what they’re capable of in an environment that is deliberately challenging, but also supportive. We pride ourselves on creating experiences that expand perceptions and foster learning.”

Fa’avae also highlighted the breadth of ages on the start line.

“I love seeing the youth teams and young girls getting involved, and equally inspiring are our older women. We have a Heroine age group for women over 60, and even teams where all three women are in their 70s. It’s an absolute credit to them, and we’re so proud.”

Standout Performances

There was exciting racing across all divisions, with teams pushing hard in challenging conditions.

Race Director Nathan Fa’avae made special mention of the 9-hour winners.

“Team Freewheelers completing that course in just over nine hours in those conditions is world-class. That is a very high level of adventure racing, and they should take a lot of confidence from that performance.”

Event Supporters

The Merrell Summer Challenge is proudly supported by Merrell, Real Meals, Starborough Wines, Sea to Summit, Camelbak, Pure Sports Nutrition, Nelson Honey, b.effect Brewing, Athena, Sweaty Betty, Santa Cruz Bicycles, Tineli, Petzl, Okarito Sandfly Repellent, Roommate Cabins, and Buff.