WānakaFitness Race

That's most of why it exists. The stations, their order, the weights and the eight kilometres of running are all the same, so the pacing you work out here is the pacing you'll use there — particularly how hard you can afford to run before the sled. What it won't give you is a qualifying place or an official time. It's a rehearsal, not a heat.

No, and no. This is an independently organised event run to the same eight-station format as HYROX, but it is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by HYROX, and your time here counts towards nothing official — no rankings, no World Championship qualification. What you get is the exact format, honestly judged, close to home, and a real number to take into an official race.

Nothing about the race itself — same course, same stations, same weights, same judging. Pick whichever suits your weekend. Each day has its own capacity, so if one is full the other may still have room.

Yes, subject to space on the day you want to move to. Email us up to 14 days before race weekend and we'll move you across at no charge.

Yes. There is no time limit and no cut-off — the last finisher gets the same welcome as the first. If you can run a few kilometres and you're prepared to have a rough time in the middle of it, you'll finish. Most first-timers pick Individual, or grab a mate for Doubles and split the work.

We use age grades from 15–17 all the way through to 70+. You don't choose your grade — we work it out from your age on race day and show it back to you before you pay. For teams, age is the average age of all team members.

Adaptive athletes race the same eight stations and the same 8 km, with equipment and movement standards agreed individually beforehand, and are ranked in their own division rather than an age grade. Choose Adaptive when you enter and tell us your category — we'll be in touch well before race day to get it right. If you're not sure it's the right entry for you, email us before booking.

Four athletes share the whole race. Each one does two of the eight kilometres and two of the eight stations, tagging out in the changeover zone. It's the most sociable way in, and the usual way people talk a hesitant mate into their first one.

Open weights across the board — there's no Pro division at this event. Women use the Female Open standards, men use Male Open, and mixed doubles teams use Male Open. See the weights table above for exact figures.

Running shoes you're happy to wear indoors and out, whatever you like to race in, a water bottle, and your own gloves if you use them for the sled pull. Chalk is provided. Everything else — the equipment, the timing, the judging — is on us.

Entry fees aren't refundable, but you can transfer your entry to someone else for $25 up to 7 days before the event. Changing day or entry type may be possible up to the same deadline if there's space — you'd pay any difference in fee. See our refunds and transfers policy for the detail.

Absolutely, and it's free. The station floor is a compact loop, so spectators get a much better view than at most races — you'll see your athlete at least eight times. There's seating around the edge of the courts.

One kilometre, one lap of the block, marshalled at every corner. You leave the hall onto Plantation Road, head up Cliff Wilson Street, along the top and back down Reece Crescent to the roll-up door. It's flat, it's sealed, and it's the same lap every time.

If the event doesn't go ahead you get a full refund of your entry fee, whatever the reason. Bad weather on its own won't cancel it — the stations are indoors, and we can shorten or reroute the outdoor parts instead. See the refunds and transfers policy.