A chilly morning did not put off large numbers of athletes and their supporters attending Challenge Wanaka on Saturday.
Event director Jane Sharman said the 20th anniversary was a chance to celebrate both the evolution of the event and the community that continued to support it.
"The final numbers for this year’s event represent remarkable growth for Challenge Wānaka.
"We began in 2007 with just 85 competitors and this year we will welcome more than 3000."
The elite field featured professional athletes from New Zealand, Australia, Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Canada and the United States.
Athletes completed a 1.9km swim in Lake Wānaka, a 90km bike ride towards Mount Aspiring National Park and a 21.1km run along the lakefront.
Challenge athlete Jackie Connell, of Christchurch, said she had been practising rain, hail or shine to compete in the swim portion of Challenge Wanaka with her sons under the team name "Mum Fit and Sons".
Anna Ramsey, of Balclutha, said she and her friends had entered the challenge "because it looked fun".
"It was really fun and the lake was way warmer than expected — it was nice and clear," she said.
