Summer Challenge Adventure Race

The 2026 Summer Challenge, sister event to the Spring Challenge, will be held in Ashburton from 6 to 8 February 2026.

Summer Challenge is designed to cater for the same ability level and adventurous women as the Spring Challenge does, with key differences being the season and where the Spring Challenge has rafting, the Summer Challenge will have kayaking and coasteering (think beaches, sunshine, warm water).

Teams of 3-women will navigate their way through scenically rewarding natural environments either kayaking, mountain biking or hiking, with a map and compass in hand. Fun, teamwork, exploration and adventure are the key elements the course design team have in mind when scheming up the event routes.

Series

Spring Challenge & Summer Challenge

Distances/Events

Mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, coasteering:
3 hour (beginner, 3 to 6 hours)
6 hour (intermediate, 6 to 12 hours)
9 hour (advanced, 9 to 20 hours)