The Walchshofers took over the running of the Roth, Germany triathlon and launched the Challenge International brand.
They have since expanded their operations to encompass races in six other countries, including Challenge Wanaka.
TeamChallenge director Walchshofer told the crowd after his emotional finish that Wanaka was " . . . awesome."
The former short-distance triathlete decided on a whim to enter Challenge Wanaka.
He told the crowd his first Challenge attempt was special because of the race's "fantastic" location and the warm support of the town's residents.
"I'm always amazed at the level of support that people give us when we come here.
You are absolutely fantastic," he said.
He was joined on the finish line by his sister Kathrin and mother Alice, as well as many other supporters.
Challenge Wanaka men's winner Chris McDonald and fifth-place Luke Dragstra accompanied Walchshofer across the finish line, alongside other professional triathletes from the Challenge stable.
Wanaka had embraced the week-long Challenge Triathlon festival as its own, Queenstown Lakes mayor Clive Geddes said.
The efforts of the race organisers and the participants were an inspiration.
"Events like this send such a powerful message to young people about commitment and goal-setting,"The level of participation from local residents was "phenomenal" from the number of volunteers (430) through to the rise in entries, he said.
Challenge Wanaka director Victoria Murray-Orr said race numbers rose 53% on 2008.
"What can you say when you get almost 450 volunteers from a town of 5000 permanent residents?" she said.
More than 50 volunteers from last year were so inspired they decided to enter the 2009 race, either in teams or as individuals.
Triathlon New Zealand chief executive officer Dave Beeche said the level of participation had made his organisation sit up and take notice.
"Our message has always been one of getting people to participate in the sport.
That is why we were so keen to get involved and put on the Contact Tri Series and other races," he said.
Saturday's gruelling Challenge Wanaka race, which comprised a 180km bike ride, 42km run and 3.8km swim, capped off a week-long triathlon festival which included a junior tri last weekend, a Sprint Tri on Friday night for New Zealand's elite athletes and Triathlon NZ's 3:9:3 race - open to people to "have a crack" at the sport, Beeche said.
"It's been fantastic.
The way everyone has embraced the event is amazing."
The Otago Daily Times was told last night the event kept Wanaka's watering holes busy well into yesterday morning and one pub ran out of beer.
